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Hawai‘i Tourism Authority partners with Japan tour operators to promote responsible tourism
Japan tour operators HIS, JALPAK and JTB Hawaiʻi each received Qurator recognition, an official mark of excellence for Hawai‘i-based and -operating companies that remain committed to responsible tourism.
Pandemic, shipping costs sunk the century-old Maui Fair. Can a former mayor revive it?
Bringing back the annual fall tradition of thrilling rides and delicious food booths is a challenge made tougher by high costs and the county’s focus on rebuilding Lahaina after the 2023 wildfire.
Department of Water Supply set to seek community input on water planning
As part of implementing its 2022 Water Use & Development plan for Maui Island, the Department of Water Supply will hold community meetings in six regions to assess water needs and to facilitate discussions about drought, reliable water supply and wildfire risk.
Unruly passenger arrested after flight lands in Honolulu
Department of Law Enforcement deputy sheriffs arrested a passenger on United Airlines Flight 1175 this morning shortly after it landed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, according to a news release from the department.
Bayer Hawaii employees help fight hunger during Hunger Action Month in Maui County
Bayer Hawaii employees organized food drives on three islands as part of a national campaign to help end hunger, collecting more than 1,000 pounds of food and over $500 in donations to support local communities in the fight against food insecurity.
Council Chambers to close for election-related activities
The Council Chambers on the eighth floor of the Kalana O Maui building in Wailuku will be closed beginning Oct. 18 until late next month for general election activities, according to an announcement from Council Chair Alice Lee.
Gov. Green signs Ninth Proclamation for affordable housing
Gov. Josh Green signed a proclamation today, relating to affordable housing, placing a “pause” on the automatic adoption of county building codes.
Temporary FEMA housing support extended for Maui wildfire survivors to February 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended by one year its Individuals and Households Program, including Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for Maui wildfire survivors. The extension comes at the request of the state of Hawaiʻi.
Central Maui Transit Hub built but unopened, more than 3 years after groundbreaking
More than three years after it broke ground in February 2021, the Central Maui Transit Hub is built in Kahului but remains unused by bus riders for reasons left unexplained by the Maui County Department of Transportation.
Rotary Club set to host Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation speaker on Oct. 15
Dawn Pfendler of the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation will speak Oct. 15 during a meeting of the Rotary Satellite Club of Kīhei-Wailea.
OHA visits Moloka‘i this Tuesday for community follow-up meetings
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs invites Moloka‘i at-large to the Kūlana ʻŌiwi Center on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a community follow-up meeting.
AG department launches online resource to help with assisted community treatment legal process
The state Department of the Attorney General has launched a webpage for those who seek the department’s help with filing assisted community treatment petitions in family court, to provide treatment for those with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse that can render them dangerous to themselves or others.
EPA settles with Maui Varieties over illegal import-distribution of unregistered pesticides
The US Environmental Protection Agency reached a settlement with Maui Varieties Ltd. (dba HouseMart) over claims of illegal import and distribution of 23 types of unregistered pesticides and two misbranded pesticide devices – including purported disinfectant or antimicrobial health products — through Daiso locations across Hawai‘i.
Water department to provide water pipe inventory update at community meeting, Oct. 18
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply invites the community to a project update about its ongoing water pipe inventory to comply with US Environmental Protection Agency lead and copper standards.
Jared Kahaialii appointed director of spa at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali announced the promotion of Jared Kahaialii to the role of director of spa. Kahaialii has over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality and retail and previously oversaw the resort’s growing spa, fitness and wellness offerings.
Five ʻalalā begin journey to slopes of Haleakalā before release into the wild
Five ʻalalā (Native Hawaiian crow) were gingerly and ceremoniously transferred last week from their sheltered home at the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda to a temporary field aviary on the slopes of Haleakalā.
State agency earns national award for housing hundreds of wildfire survivors
The Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation has received recognition from national housing experts for standing up the Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing Program just days after last year’s wildfires that destroyed much of Lahaina and homes Upcountry.
DLIR adds online unemployment insurance tools for employers
Starting Oct. 7, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will implement additional tools for employers into the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES), in partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and the US Department of Labor.
Proposed site at Kuʻia, Lahaina, proposed for new Kamehameha III Elementary campus
The state of Hawaiʻi, Maui County and Kamehameha Schools have begun discussions to explore permanently locate Kamehameha III Elementary School on Kamehameha Schools’ land in Kuʻia, Lahaina. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire destroyed the school’s former Front Street school site, along with most of historic Lahaina town.
State of Hawai‘i takes part in $52 million, multi-state settlement with Marriott for data breach
The state of Hawai‘i will receive $438,045 from a $52 million settlement reached by a coalition of 50 attorneys general with Marriott International Inc. as the result of an investigation into a large multi-year data breach of one of its guest reservation databases, the state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection announced today.
