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Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) on the island of Hawai‘i reopened at noon today following a temporary closure this morning to repair an asphalt crack.

Kauaʻi is dealing with severe weather impacts due to a strong low pressure system northwest of the state that brought intense rain and flooding over the island Thursday night and into Friday. Officials have reported multiple rescues and evacuations from cars and houses due to flooding. Due to heavy rains, crews were working to control spills at the Waimea and Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plants.

When Maui was hit by a devastating fire last August, the nation collectively grieved. For singer and songwriter Lily Meola, who was born and raised on Maui, the heartbreak ran deep. So, she did what she does best—poured her pain and feelings into song. Initially revealed in a rare live performance on her Instagram account, “Hope in the Ashes,” is now available everywhere you get your music with all proceeds from the song being donated to the Maui Food Bank.

The Kani Kūola Music Festival commences Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Ka‘a‘i‘ike Building on the UHMC campus.

Maui County Council members looked for ways Thursday for developers to move forward with construction of two Lahaina affordable housing projects that residents have pinned hopes on as being “shovel-ready,” but nevertheless face significant obstacles.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) reviewed test results from multiple monitoring activities conducted by state agencies and community partners to confirm that the coastal waters around Lahaina are safe for ocean recreation. It is important to note that access is still restricted to certain coastal zones within the impacted area of Lahaina and these are not an option for ocean recreation at this time.

Kaniala Masoe, a winner of KITV4’s Island Idol singing competition in 2018, has joined the staff of Montage Kapalua Bay as a new cultural ambassador at the resort.

Lahaina homeowners impacted by the 2023 August wildfire are encouraged to attend the County of Maui Office of Recovery Homeowners Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Lahaina Civic Center.

Adverse El Nino weather conditions have led to the Polynesian Voyaging Society to postpone its planned Moananuiākea Voyage, the circumnavigation of the Pacific until March 2025. Instead, Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will remain in Hawaiian waters for training, statewide engagements and educational outreach.

A Certified Driver’s License training course, offered at no cost to previously incarcerated Maui County residents, will be held in May by Maui Economic Opportunity.

ACE Scholarships, a nonprofit that works to expand access to K-12 education opportunities, is providing a $105,000 grant to help Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina to offset tuition costs for displaced families while they rebuild in the wake of the devastating Maui wildfires. 

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation fuel system vendor for Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, is in the process of rebuilding the fire-damaged, above-ground portion of the fueling system at no cost to the state. It will probably three years before everything is finished. Until the harbor is out of the restricted zone, no one can reach it by land.

The 150-year-old Lahaina banyan tree continues to show signs of recovery, eight months after the Maui fires. In video provided by the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Duane Sparkman of the Lahaina Treecovery project provides an update, describes some of the challenges the iconic tree still faces, and talks about what lies ahead.  

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College will host an Open House Fair on Friday, April 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on the Kahului campus Great Lawn and Pā‘ina Building dining area.

The Internal Revenue Service reminds the public that it has postponed until Aug. 7, 2024, various tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Previously, the deadline was Feb. 15, 2024.

With its latest donation of $25,000, received late last month, the total donated to “Feeding Maui” by Lions Clubs Maui Region VI Zone 1 (the name of the international fund) is more than $66,000.

Commercial operators, with permits, will again be able to use Māla Wharf seven days a week beginning Saturday April 13.

Hawai’i-born Chad Rowan, known as Akebono in the world of sumo, has died. He was 54. Akebono became the first person born outside of Japan to achieve the rank of Yokozuna, or grand champion.

Maui United Way announced on Wednesday a new ʻOhana Mental Health Grant opportunity, offering 5 to 10 mental health grants of $50,000 to $100,000 each, for eligible nonprofits. The grants are aimed at supporting local nonprofits working to meet the ongoing mental health needs in the aftermath of the wildfires.

As the Japanese Prime Minister Fumuio Kishida’s visits to Washington this week, a bipartisan resolution has been introduced to underscore the strength and importance of the United State-Japan alliance.