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Whale Trust will present Listening to the Ocean: An Evening of Conversation with Ocean Elders on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, as part of its 20th Annual Whale Tales celebration. The special event will bring together internationally recognized leaders in ocean science, exploration, and conservation for an evening of discussion focused on the future of the world’s oceans.

Advancing are Island Robotics, Waiʻanae High School, Pearl City High School, Kaimuki Middle School, Mililani Mechs Robotics, and Waialua High & Intermediate School. The double qualifications by these teams will allow one other Hawaiʻi team – to be determined by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation – to advance to the VEX Worlds.

Sedona Wachaiyu has joined the Maui Economic Opportunity Board of Directors as Head Start Policy Council representative.

Maui Nui Golf Club will celebrate International Women’s Day with a special wahine golf event, Drive Like a Woman, on Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. The 3 p.m. shotgun invites women of all skill levels to come together for an afternoon of golf, connection, and celebration on the course.

Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura announced a list of 25 personnel who were promoted recently, including 18 to the rank of Firefighter III and seven to the rank of Firefighter II. All promotions went into effect no later than Jan. 1, 2026.

The Maui Marathon will take place Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Kāʻanapali. Race weekend begins with the official Health & Fitness Expo and runner packet pickup on Friday and Saturday, April 24–25, at the The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Valley Isle Ballroom.

Hawaiian Electric teams continue to monitor weather conditions that may call for a Public Safety Power Shutoff in parts of Maui and Hawai‘i Island this week. 

Most Hawaiʻi residents believe sea level rise is already affecting the state, expect major impacts within their lifetimes, and support significant changes to how and where development occurs. At the same time, many remain uncertain about how large-scale adaptation should be financed.

The Maui Chinese New Year Festival returns to Maui Mall Village on Feb. 21 to celebrate the Year of the Horse with lion dances, cultural demonstrations and local food.

Roots School will host its annual Children’s Fair on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 2-5 p.m. on the school campus at 740 Haʻikū Road. This year’s theme is The Wizard of Oz, and the event will feature crafts, face-painting, balloon twisting, magical photos, a cake walk, book sale, and fun for the whole family. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Wizard of Oz character.

The office — which is a part of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Land Division — will be closed to the public on Wednesdays. Staff will not accept meetings, phone calls or in-person visits and will not return emails.

Small business owners looking to work with government agencies can attend a free workshop in Kīhei on April 7 hosted by state and federal transportation officials.

Digital Navigators are available by appointment at all 50 public libraries throughout the state, offering free, personalized help with everyday technology needs to make it less stressful and more accessible.

The ʻiʻiwi likely hatched in the winter/spring of 2015-16 and is a minimum of 10 years old, which is rather amazing considering the typical lifespan of ʻiʻiwi is, maybe, half of that at 3 to 5 years.

Storer earned Kamehameha Maui its first title in swimming. Sacha Salem of Maui Prep was the only other MIL swimmer to win a state title in the championship finals.

New statewide rules set grade-level limits on student cell phone use; implementation begins next school year.

Hawaiian Electric is monitoring developing weather conditions which are likely to lead to an increased risk of wildfires in parts of Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island later this week. Customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans should a Public Safety Power Shutoff be necessary, and to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages Monday through Thursday.

Episode 42 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended at  11:38 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2026, and the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption is currently paused.

Maia Kealoha of Kona, who made her acting and film debut in May 2025 as Lilo in Disney’s live action adaptation of ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ will play Alma in the new film to be released this coming holiday season, bringing Christmas joy back with the help of two bumbling North Pole elves undercover as humans.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center will ring in the Lunar New Year with a cultural celebration and Chinese Lion Dance on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 12 p.m. in Center Court. The free, family-friendly event will feature vibrant live performances, traditional cultural practices, and a giveaway for the first 100 attendees.