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Maui Walking Tours LLC has expanded to offer free city walking tours in both Kīhei and Wailuku. The tour company’s newest guided walking tour takes participants through the streets of Wailuku sharing stories of its rich history. In addition to highlighting historic landmarks, buildings, and architecture, the tour weaves close to a dozen Wailuku street murals into the route, sharing the history and culture depicted through art. Tours are held every other Saturday, starting at the courtyard in front of the State Office Building and last 90 minutes.

The Kīhei Charter School has announced a significant upgrade of its computer hardware and software using a 2GB platform. According to KCS, it is the only Maui school to use a 2GB system, expanding tech utilization limits for students and faculty.

Public comments are due Aug. 22 for Maui County’s draft environmental assessment of its planned 4,900-foot extension of Līloa Drive, also known as the North-South Collector Road, from East Waipu‘ilani Road to Ka‘ono‘ulu Street in Kīhei.

On Tuesday, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Hawaiʻi unveiled its warehouse stocked with beds, comforters, and other household essentials to begin its aid to at least 300 wildfire-afflicted homeowners in a multi-year rebuilding process.

HISAKO Film Lab is a nonprofit program coming from HISAKO Productions, a company created by Maui-born filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Academy For Creative Media.

In observance of the one-year mark since the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, the Office of Recovery-West Maui in Lahaina Gateway will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. 

This Saturday, Maui Humane Society will host a Wags ‘n Wheels pet adoption event in partnership with Servco Subaru Maui from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Servco Subaru Maui dealership. The event aims to help pets find ‘furever homes’ in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfires, which displaced hundreds of pets in the community.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has confirmed a travel-related dengue virus case in Hāna, on the island of Maui. Upon investigation, DOH found conditions that could increase the risk of transmission. Vector control teams are responding and will continue to be active in the area.

Glenn Sato, a 71-year-old retiree, won the Tako Division at the 36th annual Larry Libres Fishing & Diving Tournament, Saturday at Kanahā Beach Park in Kahului. Sato is the oldest tako champion in the 36-year history of the event. A total of 201 divers participated in the north shore event with 90 octopuses brought to the scale by 56 divers.

A hui of three Marriott properties in Wailea has received the No Ka ʻOi Highway Hui Adopt-A-Highway Award from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Highways Maui District, in recognition of their collaborative community care efforts.

In light of a troublesome 17% increase in Hawai’i’s traffic fatalities compared to 2023, the Maui Bicycling League calls for increased vigilance on Maui’s roads.  

Scouting America, Aloha Council has announced a landmark donation of $1 million from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. This contribution will be instrumental in replacing the bunkhouse cabins at Camp Maluhia, supporting program and operational needs council-wide, and strengthening its endowment. Bezos, who has a home on Maui, has shown support for the Aloha Council in the past, previously donating $500,000 in 2023.

Hui O Ka Wai Ola will share findings from a biannual report that outlines ocean water quality conditions along a 40-mile stretch of Maui’s leeward coast. The organization will also share notable trends and patterns indicated by monitoring coastal water quality in key areas around the island, giving focus to new data from the areas of Lahaina, North Kīhei and Lāna’i.

Like a flame-thrower fueled by hurricane-force winds, the Lahaina wildfire raced mauka to makai, reducing whatever stood in its path to smoke, ash, concrete blocks and twisted metal. Then it reached the town’s iconic Banyan Tree.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will break ground next week on a critical sewer line project for the Kilohana temporary housing development, which will support 169 housing units for wildfire survivors. This project will enhance the community sewer system for Fleming Road residents and allow for future expansion.

One year after the devastating wildfires that impacted the people of Maui, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall — representing President Biden — FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore Merrell will join county and state officials on Maui to commemorate the one year mark in support of the community. 

Offering a hand to survivors since the day after the deadly wildfires, Maui Economic Opportunity will be closed Thursday ­– the first year mark since the 2023 fires. MEO staff have been personally involved in helping those impacted by the wildfires, providing rent/mortgage, utility, vehicle, clothing and school supply assistance, business bridge grants and jobs for those impacted and staff for about 45 host sites.

Maui musicians won multiple awards and were showcased throughout the event, which took time to recognize the ongoing recovery taking place following the August 2023 wildfires.

Longtime musician and on-air Maui radio personality, Shane Kaonohiokalā Kahalehau, was recognized by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts with the 2024 Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for Most Promising Artist of the Year.

Nearly a year after wildfire overwhelmed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, exploding fuel tanks and incinerating vessels moored dockside, a quiet Hawaiian blessing ceremony was held Monday for the harbor’s repaired fuel dock, now ready for business.