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Volunteer Mason Williams, who was nominated by Aloha House, was named Humanitarian Award winner of the year by the Maui Non Profit Directors Association for his “countless hours ensuring that nonprofits have the resources and governance needed for their sustained success.”

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education shared its 2020-21 Strive HI Performance System results at Thursday’s Board of Education General Business Meeting. The data reflect downward trends in academic performance seen across the nation due to impacts from the pandemic.

There were 134 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Friday, including seven on Maui and one on Moloka‘i. There were also three COVID-19 deaths reported today.

“Halloween is on,” according to Maui Mayor Victorino. While a return to door-to-door tradition is allowed this year, the Mayor is encouraging drive-thru options. A list of upcoming events is posted:

A planting ceremony was held at Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi on Thursday with Pūlama Lānaʻi to commence the launch of a botanical preservation project to reintroduce the federally endangered ʻāwikiwiki plant to the area around the resort.

“Boosters are expected to be widely available across the state, and CDC’s mix-and-match policy will allow for additional flexibility. DOH’s first priority will remain encouraging unvaccinated Hawai‘i residents to complete their initial vaccine series,” said Director of Health Dr. Elizabeth Char.

The application identifies Maui’s high cost of living, high unemployment and an overdependence on tourism along with increased poverty, especially among older residents as challenges. 

DOH estimates there are 119,473 children 5-11 living in Hawaiʻi, which is roughly 8.4% of the state’s population. An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 26 to discuss authorization of the vaccine and a CDC advisory committee is scheduled to meet Nov. 2-3 to discuss clinical recommendations.

Theo Morrison, executive director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation said, ”We are very appreciative that The Wharf Center donated the use of the space for close to 12 years. This donation enabled us to build out the museum and operate it free of charge. Thousands of people worked in the West Maui plantations over the years and this museum told their story.”

There were 156 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Thursday, including 22 on Maui. There were also four new COVID deaths reported today.

The eclectic mix of our island food scene has been enriched with the recent addition of the authentic taste of Venezuela at Miss Arepa in Honokōwai.

“There is a lot of potential for economic diversity here on Maui, especially with agriculture and value added products,” said Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “We’re going to have to come up with a strategic plan on how we develop our education system so that we can create a skilled workforce, specifically for agriculture pipelines and value added pipelines.”

There were 139 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 20 on Maui and one on Moloka‘i.

Applications are currently being accepted now through Dec. 17, 2021 for the Haleakalā National Park Community Volunteer Ambassador year-long internship program. 

The 5,000 square foot Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center opens today in Whalers Village in Kāʻanapali.

“The local tourism industry is pleased that Gov. Ige signaled today that he is ready to welcome non-essential travelers back to Hawai‘i beginning November 1. While we recognize that there are still details that need to be sorted out—paying special mind to input from the county mayors and information provided by the healthcare community and the business sector—this announcement is an important first step toward getting our economy moving again safely and judiciously,” said Hannemann.

On Maui, the Salvation Army Kahului Corps and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College will share in distributing 600 Thanksgiving meals via a drive-thru distribution starting at 11 a.m., while supplies last, at UHMC on Wednesday, Nov. 24. In West Maui, the Salvation Army Lahaina Lighthouse Corps, with the assistance of other local congregations, will be providing home delivered Thanksgiving Lunches to 300 Kupuna on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021.

There were 80 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 14 on Maui.

“Celebrating Halloween is a special event for families, and it is possible to take steps to celebrate safely. Outdoor gatherings are safer, and consistent handwashing and mask wearing are recommended,” said Director of Health Dr. Elizabeth Char.

Bennett Debeer, a Maui resident who met with the Mayor on Thursday, and later tested positive for COVID-19, tells Maui Now that there were inaccuracies in a press release issued by the Mayor’s office on Monday.