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Drivers who need to become REAL ID compliant before the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline, got welcome news on Oʻahu this morning, as city officials announced a new process that will allow drivers to get a duplicate license online.  The announcement prompted a surge in online demand, resulting in the inability of customers to connect with or complete their applications.

A fire on Kahoʻolawe continues to burn into a fourth day, and has already blackened nearly 20% of the island, according to an update issued this morning by the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.

More than 180 notices of warning and 80 notices of violation were issued to illegal vacation rental operators in 2019.

International Superstar, Diana Ross has three Hawaiʻi concerts planned in May, two of them on Maui. The Mother’s Day celebrations include a May 9 show at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena; and two Maui shows–May 10 and 11 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Fresh Hama Hama oysters from Washington State and pan sautéed halibut were on the menu when multi-award-winning Seattle Chef/Restaurateur/Cookbook author Renee Erickson visited the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Culinary Arts program on February 20.

Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties in January 2020 with 265,400 unit nights, which is an increase of 27.2 percent compared to a year ago.

Through Celebrate Maui Museums, the public is invited to experience local stories and exhibits at Hale Hoʻikeʻike at Bailey House Museum in Wailuku, the Wo Hing Museum and the Baldwin Home Museum in Lahaina, the Makawao History Museum upcountry and the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum in Puʻunēnē.

Councilmember Riki Hokama introduced legislation to establish a moratorium on transient accommodation permits on the island of Lānaʻi, where no limits are currently established.

The State Department has set Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) for travel to Japan and South Korea. There is no one in Hawaiʻi under mandatory quarantine at this time.

Crews with the state Department of Transportation will continue work on Monday, Feb. 24, to remove loose material along the Hāna Highway near Mile 21, where a rock slide was reported on Saturday evening.

On the night of Feb. 25, 2020 Lup Yen Peter Young contacted Police at the Wailuku Police Station.  He appeared in good health.  The Maui Police Department thanked the public for their assistance.

Maui County Council Moves to Sue Big Oil: Unanimous vote approves litigation to hold fossil fuel companies responsible for climate costs

There’s still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 or coronavirus in Hawaiʻi, according to a daily update issued by the State’s newly activated Joint Information Center, established in support of media operations regarding the virus. 

Maui police arrested and charged a Wailuku man with first degree arson and terroristic threatening after he allegedly attempted to set fire to his residence in ʻĪao on Thursday night.

A Kaua‘i judge today maintained bail for Lori Vallow Daybell at $5 million, and set a hearing for Monday March 2, 2020 at 9 a.m. in a missing children case that has garnered national attention. 

Update: (4:24 p.m., Feb. 21, 2020): A brush fire reported overnight in Olowalu is now 100% contained as of 4:24 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, according to Maui fire officials. Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro said crews worked throughout the day to secure the perimeter and cool down stubborn hotspots. “Personnel will continue mop up operations and monitoring of the fire area through the night,” said Yatsushiro.

The Kaua‘i Police Department arrested 47-year-old Lori Vallow (a.k.a. Lori Daybell) of Idaho on Thursday in relation to an investigation being conducted by the Rexburg Police Department.

The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of a white, stand-up paddle board found 2 miles off Launiupoko, Maui, Thursday.

Hale Mahaolu will accept applications for Ewalu II, the second phase of its senior housing complex in Upcountry Maui, from Feb. 24 through 4 p.m. on March 6, 2020.

Maui County led the state in overall revenue per available room or RevPAR at $367 (up 11.1 percent), while the resort area of Wailea in South Maui had the highest RevPAR in the state at $611 (up 9.4 percent).