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A new self-service DMV kiosk was installed and blessed today at the county’s Kalana O Maui Building, bringing to five, the total number available in Maui County.

SMALL TOWN * BIG ART presents its first public artwork of 2020, Hīnaʻi by award-winning Maui-based sculptor Jessica Bodner. A blessing an unveiling will take place at Wailuku First Friday on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m., in Kīpuka Square.

Surf of up to 40 feet is forecast for the north and west facing shores of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi today, as the National Weather Service continues a high surf warning for most islands through 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

There will be two public aerial firework displays in Maui County for New Year’s Eve–one at the Grand Wailea Resort from an offshore barge; and the other from the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi in the “laydown area” of Mānele Bay.  Both displays are scheduled to start at approximately 11:59 p.m.  

The winners-only event will feature the game’s biggest starts from around the globe when it returns to The Plantation Course at Kapalua from January 1-5.

A Lahaina man was arrested after the pickup truck he was driving collided into a parked Maui Fire Department truck in West Maui on Sunday.

Twenty-seven firefighter recruits graduated as part of the 35th Firefighter Recruit Class of the Maui Department of Fire & Public Safety.

A hurricane-force low set up late last week across the northwest Pacific and has sent an extra large northwest swell in our direction that will impact exposed north and west facing shores Monday through Tuesday night, then decline through midweek.

A litigant in the case, Jennifer Noelani Ahia said, “Furthermore the Maui, Lana’i Island Burial Council has identified Maui Lani Phase 6 Increment 4 as a known burial area, a pāʻilina. Our iwi have the right to be at peace and as descendants, who inherit their collective mana, we have the right to protect our iwi and the ʻāina where they rest.”

“Although I had intended to serve as chair for the full term, I respect the decision of the council majority.  To me, leadership was never about the title, and as your council member, I remain committed to lead by example, focus on the longterm vision, prioritize important issues and always serve the public interest first,” said King.

The Maui Police Department currently has eight unclaimed bodies at their forensic facility in Wailuku. Officials are requesting assistance from the public in contacting family members of the deceased.

Beginning next year, DOCARE officers have a complement of new uniforms that better reflect their duties and responsibilities protecting and enforcing Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resource laws.

The county may impose civil fines of $20,000 plus $10,000 per day for each day the unlawful operation persists, unless a higher fine is authorized by State law.

Lane closure on Hāna Highway (Route 360) in the northbound direction in the vicinity of Papaʻaea Road on Saturday, Dec. 28, through Friday, Jan. 3, over a 24-hour period, for retaining wall work.

The service is available from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, until 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 and offers a free tow home of up to five miles for an individual and their vehicle instead of driving while intoxicated.

Crews have recovered six sets of remains from a downed helicopter in steep terrain in the remote Kōkeʻe area of Kauaʻi. County officials confirmed the finding during an afternoon press conference saying there are no indications of any survivors.  

Maui saw increases in visitor spending (+4.5% to $381.0 million), daily spending (+5.5%) and visitor arrivals (+3.0% to 233,631) in November of 2019.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim announced today, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, that the Mauna Kea Access Road is temporarily closed to the public “as the road is being cleared to make it completely accessible to the public.”

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has launched a new partnership with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, located in Kīhei.

The greatest potential for coastal flooding impacts will be this morning and on Friday, especially around the time of the peak high tide, which occurs between midnight and daybreak in most areas.