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The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced today that one previously suspended school bus route in Upcountry Maui will be reinstated starting on Monday, Dec. 9, restoring service for nearly 40 student bus riders.

Food, music, shopping and family fun will all make for a festive Hāliʻimaile Holidays celebration, hosted by Maui Land & Pineapple Co., from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at the former pineapple plantation town midway between Kahului and Makawao.

US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be holding a statewide telephone town hall on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. HST. 

The Sentry has announced Nick Dunlap, Austin Eckroat, and Robert MacIntyre have committed to play in the opening event of the 2025 PGA TOUR Regular Season when it returns to The Plantation Course at Kapalua from Jan 2 through Jan. 5.

Flags are being lowered from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, marking the 83rd commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attack, and the lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941. “The day serves as a poignant reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by the thousands of men and women whose bravery in the face of unimaginable adversity shaped the course of history,” said Gov. Green.

The US Department of Agriculture has announced awards for 17 Hawai‘i projects totaling $2.6 million under the Resilient Food System Infrastructure program. The RFSI program is aimed at strengthening middle-of-the-supply chain operations and local food systems by supporting processing, manufacturing, storing, transportation, wholesaling and distribution of agricultural products. The grants include $77,896 to Maui Breadfruit Co. and $59,058 to NH Properties, LLC dba Haʻikū Organic Farm on Maui.

Habitat for Humanity Maui has received a $16,500 grant from Lowe’s to help with the renovation of one home on Molokaʻi in critical need of safety-related repairs.

US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi is co-sponsoring a bill to help families caught up in the US immigration system at a time when President-elect Donald Trump is pledging mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has identified a new case of travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, bringing the number of total cases to 15 identified in the state in 2024 (one on Kauaʻi, four on Maui, 10 on Oʻahu). The affected travelers were exposed in various countries where dengue is common.  

The tournament will be the largest event that the Maui Rugby Union has ever taken part in, and they will be among the youngest competitors.

A “Helping Lahaina Heal: Mastering Your Money” workshop, offered by Maui Economic Opportunity, will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Lahaina Recovery Center in the Lahaina Gateway.

Environmental Court Judge Peter Cahill has ordered the Department of Land and Natural Resources not to issue or renew commercial use permits for state waters in Kāʻanapali until it can complete environmental assessments for their use or determine such permits are exempt from environmental review under Hawaiʻi law.

Mayor Richard Bissen announced the selection of John Smith, a leader with the County of Maui’s Department of Public Works, to serve as the new administrator of the County’s Office of Recovery. County officials say Smith has been instrumental in leading infrastructure restoration efforts following the recent wildfires. In his new capacity, he will now oversee the County’s comprehensive recovery efforts.

Maui Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced that the Maui County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall on a proposed ordinance for the Kahoma Village project, where five residential buildings were destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Lee said the council will also hold special meetings Dec. 13 and 23 in the Council Chamber to discuss bills amending land-use and development standards for the Honua‘ula development—a 670-acre, multiuse housing project in South Maui. To view meeting agendas, visit mauicounty.us/agendas.

The Construction Management Association of America recently named the temporary King Kamehameha III Elementary school on Maui the 2024 Project of the Year. The national award celebrates skill, collaboration and impact of construction management for the project.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is awarding over $2 million dollars in Maui Strong Fund grants to 24 nonprofit partners providing culturally relevant and holistic mental health resources to families, individuals, and youth affected by the Maui wildfires. The nonprofit partners will use the funds to provide a broad range of services including art therapies, trauma-informed workshops, Hawaiian language and cultural immersion education, and peer-to-peer mental health support for youth.

The US Senate unanimously passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which includes Tokuda and Hirono legislation to lessen the tax burden on survivors of the Maui wildfires. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College will host a “Holiday Bash & Electric Light Parade” on Friday, Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m. on the Kahului campus’s Great Lawn and Pā‘ina Building dining area. The event is open to the public and admission is FREE.

First Hawaiian Bank today announced that bank employees and retirees have ushered in this year’s holiday giving season by contributing a donation of $873,987.53 to 36 charities in Hawai‘i, Guam, and Saipan as part of the bank’s annual Kōkua Mai employee giving campaign.

Azeka Shopping Center will host the 22nd Annual Toys for Tots charity drive this Sunday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Azeka Makai in Kīhei. The community is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys to benefit underprivileged youth in Maui County. Plus, don’t miss the fun with appearances by local motorcycle clubs, […]