Featured
Maui Mayor Signs Agreements with Expedia and Airbnb to Curb Illegal TVRs
The agreements provide for platform cooperation with Maui County to help facilitate effective enforcement of Maui County laws that prohibit unpermitted vacation rental operations.
July 30, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 622 Cases *Due in Part to Backlog, 3 Deaths
The state Department of Health reports that there were 622** additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Friday. **An interruption in electronic lab reporting earlier this week resulted in incomplete case counts reported since Tuesday. The balance of positive COVID-19 tests that were not reported due to the recent interruption were included in today’s count.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
Work Underway to Protect Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtles on Maui
Organizations are working to repair or replace fencing along the shoreline that is essential to ensure that the endangered turtles do not wander into traffic on the busy North Kīhei Road as they search for a safe place to lay their eggs.
Maui Hospital Updates Visitor Policy Again Amid Rapid Rise in COVID-19
Due to a rapid rise in COVID-19 variants on island, the Maui Memorial Medical Center is updating its visitor policy for the second time this week.
Thieves Steal Catalytic Converters from Five MEO Buses at Puʻunēnē Baseyard
Maui Economic Opportunity is reporting the theft of five catalytic converters from the organization’s fleet of buses at its Puʻunēnē base yard.
July 29, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 234 Cases, 2 Deaths
The state Department of Health reports that there were 234** additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Thursday. **An interruption in electronic lab reporting earlier this week resulted in incomplete case counts reported yesterday and today. The balance of positive COVID-19 tests that were not reported due to the recent interruption will be reported on Friday.
Native Hawaiian Scientists Depart for Papahānaumokuākea
A group of 12 Native Hawaiian researchers will depart from Kāneʻohe Bay on Saturday to embark on a 15-day scientific voyage into the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Saving a Species: Hawaiian Monk Seal Rehabilitation Zoom Presentation, Aug. 4
The public is invited to learn more about Hawaiian monk seals at a free presentation entitled “Saving a Species: Rehabilitation as a Conservation Tool for Hawaiian Monk Seals” on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. HST via Zoom where two special guests from The Marine Mammal Center’s dedicated hospital for monk seals, Ke Kai Ola, on Hawaiʻi Island will highlight their conservation and outreach work.
First-Time Homebuyers’ Down Payment Assistance Available in Maui County
The program provides first-time homebuyers with down payment and/or closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the home purchase price, not to exceed $30,000. Applicants will be selected through a lottery drawing process.
July 28, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 85 Cases* Incomplete Case Count, 3 Deaths
The state Department of Health reports that there were **85 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Wednesday. **An interruption in electronic lab reporting resulted in incomplete case counts reported today (Monday, July 26, 2021). Retrieval of these reports is anticipated to occur in the next 1-2 days.
UPDATE: Tsunami Watch CANCELED for Hawaii Following 8+ Alaska Earthquake
Hawaii is under a tsunami watch as officials evaluate the effects of an 8.1 earthquake reported at 8:15 p.m. HST on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in the Alaska Peninsula.
Carissa Moore Earns Historic First Olympic Gold Medal in Women’s Surfing
“Getting to share the sport with so many people that maybe have never even watched surfing was super special,” Moore told WSL. “As a Hawaiian, just seeing Duke Kahanamoku’s dream come true to have surfing in the Olympics is super special. It’s a big time for surfing to be recognized on this level.”
Chick-fil-A Maui Groundbreaking Welcomes Way for its First Restaurant in Hawai’i
Chick-fil-A broke ground today on it’s first Hawai’i restaurant, to be located at the Puʻunēnē Shopping Center in Kahului, Maui.
Final EIS for Proposed A&B Water Lease Available for Review
Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation Company filed a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed water lease for the Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo License Areas.
Native Hawaiian Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Renter and Homebuyer Programs
Among other possible benefits, applicants to the program may: get help to qualify for rental and mortgage loans; access loans up to $100,000 for home buying costs (income and other program restrictions apply); qualify for up to $11,500 in grant funds for home purchase; and learn about HCA’s grants for first month’s rent/deposit up to $4,000.
July 27, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 162 Cases
The confirmed cases included: 106 on O‘ahu; 25 on Hawai‘i Island (+2 probable); 10 on Maui (+1 probable); four on Kaua‘i; and 15 in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (-1 probable).
July 26, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 163 Cases
The confirmed cases included: 102 on O‘ahu (+3 probable); 34 on Hawai‘i Island; 16 on Maui; Kaua‘i (+1 probable); and seven in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state.
UPDATE/ROAD OPEN: Downed Pole on Honoapi‘ilani Hwy at Olowalu
Maui police temporarily closed the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Olowalu near Mile 16 due to a downed pole.
Maui Memorial Medical Center Vaccine Requirement for Visitors, Effective July 26
The Maui Memorial Medical Center today announced it is implementing a vaccine requirement for visitors to the hospital, effective today, July 26, 2021.
Updated Health Guidance for Hawai‘i Public Schools Prioritizes In-Person Learning
“This update to the guidance comes at a time when we are really emphasizing the prioritization of a return to in-person learning for students in K-12 schools,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble.
