In Case You Missed It

Schatz leads bipartisan resolution recognizing significant contributions of Native women, including 6 Native Hawaiians

Specific Native Hawaiian women spotlighted in the resolution included: Queen Ka‘ahumanu, Isabella Kauakea Yau Yung Aiona Abbott, Mary Kawena Pukui, Edith Kenao Kanaka‘ole, Rell Kapolioka‘ehukai Sunn, and Emma Ka‘ilikapuolono Metcalf Beckley Nakuina.

As property values climb, Maui County eyes lower tax rates for resident homeowners

Some property owners are seeing increases by as much as 50%, and even with a tax rate cut, they may still see a higher bill.

Traditional hālau waʻa blessed in Mākena, honoring Hawaiian cultural practices

A newly constructed hālau waʻa, a traditional Hawaiian canoe house and learning space, was blessed on March 21 in Mākena.

Maui doctor accused of attempted murder for alleged attempt to push wife off an Oʻahu hiking trail

After a nearly eight hour search, Gerhardt Konig, 46, of Maui was located and arrested on Oʻahu. The Maui doctor is accused of attempted murder after he allegedly tried to push his wife off a hiking trail and struck her in the head with a rock, according to authorities.

Public comment welcome on Lahaina homeowner recommendations for Disaster Recovery Action Plan 

The community is invited to comment on eight homeowner recommendations developed by Hawaiʻi Community Lending and Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group. The recommendations aim to specifically benefit Lahaina homeowners with the goal of preventing the displacement of residents and supporting individuals and families who lack resources to rebuild. 

Kīpahulu celebrates one-year anniversary of Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area

On March 25, Kīpahulu celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area rules going into effect for the Kīpahulu moku. Over the last year, the community established a Kīpahulu Makai Watch program, and new signage displaying the CBSFA rules has recently been erected at prominent spots in the area.

Uncertainty over federal funding cuts hangs over the upcoming budget talks for Maui County

Council members say they’ll be combing the budget for savings in case the county is impacted by cuts to federal programs or agencies helping with the Lahaina wildfire recovery.

DLNR: Critically rare native plant on Kahoʻolawe finds success in cultivation

Native Hawaiians have tended a relationship with the critically endangered native Hawaiian plant—Ka Palupalu o Kanaloa (Kanaloa kahoolawensis)— for over a thousand years. Now the rest of the world can experience and learn about it online at a new website dedicated to telling its story of resilience. 

Maui Police Commission decides not to place Chief Pelletier on leave over lawsuit allegations

The chief’s lawyer said there was a filing error with the amended lawsuit, which claims Pelletier was involved in the coverup of a gang rape involving Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2018.

Maui Waena’s Jacquelyn McCandless named 2025 Middle School Distinguished Principal of the Year

Maui Waena Intermediate School Principal Jacquelyn McCandless and Kaimukī High School Principal Lorelei Aiwohi have been named the state’s 2025 National Distinguished Principals of the Year by the Hawai‘i Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA). McCandless is the middle school honoree and Aiwohi is the high school honoree. “Shocked,” and “Extremely honored,” were the words McCandless used […]

Grounded sailboat removed from Honolua Bay on Maui

The 65-foot catamaran Hula Girl that was grounded at Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District for almost two months, has been removed. The vessel’s owner, Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc., worked with the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation and Division of Aquatic Resources to develop and execute the salvage plan. A January storm, in addition to […]

Maui Food Bank launches Da Mobile Market to bring fresh foods to underserved areas

To further address food insecurity and expand access to fresh, nutritious foods in underserved communities, Maui Food Bank celebrated the launch of Da Mobile Market, a new mobile food distribution program. This initiative is designed to serve areas with limited access to nutritious food, including West Maui, Upcountry and Hāna, ensuring that families in need […]

First $1.5M payment has been made to the estate of a Maui wildfire victim as part of state’s $175M One ʻOhana Fund

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., announced the initial disbursements from the $175 million One ‘Ohana Fund, a key initiative of the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program. This fund was created to provide direct financial relief to the families of those who lost loved ones and to individuals who suffered serious physical injuries in the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui […]

Pelletier says accusations against him are ‘baseless’ after being named in civil lawsuit against Diddy

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier is strongly denying any involvement after being named as a co-defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by Ashley Parham against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Maui Planning Commission holds off decision-making on Honuaʻula; public testimony nearly 9-1 opposed

Maui Planning Commission members heard nearly six hours of public testimony Tuesday in Kīhei, with 58 of 66 testifiers opposed to developer requests for land-use amendments for the Honuaʻula master-planned community, a hotly debated 670-acre development south of Maui Meadows and mauka of Piʻilani Highway in South Maui.

Highly invasive bird spotted near Kāʻanapali; poses serious threat to Maui agriculture

Agriculture and wildlife officials are raising concerns after a red-vented bulbul was spotted near Kāʻanapali, Maui. This high-priority invasive pest appears on the Hawaiʻi Injurious Species list and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Top 100 Invasive Species list. The bird poses a serious threat to Maui’s agriculture as well as native ecosystems, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Maui Police Commission to meet March 19 to discuss whether to put Chief Pelletier on leave due to Diddy lawsuit allegations

While Maui County’s mayor has requested Police Chief John Pelletier to be put on administrative leave, the power to hire or remove a police chief rests with the nine-member, volunteer Maui Police Commission.

$100M proposed for Central Maui School in House draft of State Budget

State Rep. Justin H. Woodson (District 9, Kahului, Puʻunēnē, portion of Wailuku) announced that the House draft of the State Budget (HB300 HD1) includes a proposed $100 million appropriation to cover the remaining funds needed for the construction of Central Maui Elementary and Middle School. 

Maui Police Chief Pelletier named as co-conspirator in Diddy rape case lawsuit; mayor calls for leave, investigation

Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico said: “We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate these claims to be false and will expose those who are deliberately trying to manipulate the legal system to spread misleading narratives.”

Mayor Bissen delivers 2025 State of the County Address, focuses on housing, recovery

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen delivered his third State of the County Address at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater on Friday, expressing renewed hope for residents and progress made in the year and half after the 2023 Maui wildfires.
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