In Case You Missed It

Nearly 10 inches of rain – the highest rainfall total in the state – was recorded in United States Geological Survey’s rain gauge near Keʻanae in a 24-hour period ending at 1 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2023.

The US Environmental Protection Agency today reports it has completed its work under Phase 1 of the federal response to the wildfires in Lahaina and the Upcountry Maui communities.

A 56-year-old Kahului man suffered critical life-threatening injuries when he was ejected from a moped he was operating during a collision on Wednesday night in Waiehu.

Hawaiian Electric and developer Innergex Renewable Energy have terminated an agreement for a planned grid-scale solar and battery storage project in South Maui. According to HECO, the project was hit with lengthy delays resulting from the developer’s legal challenges and pandemic-related cost and supply-chain issues. Of five solar projects approved on Maui since 2018, only one is being built.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will hold a community meeting to discuss proposed actions for tourism in support of Maui’s recovery. The meeting will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall on Monday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This week on Maui, the band Kanekoa is performing at a benefit concert for Maui wildfire victims, the free annual Jimi Hendrix tribute takes place in Pāʻia and for the observance of World AIDS Day there is “Music For Hope” at the ʻĪao Theatre. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Mayor Richard Bissen submitted to the County Council a bill to amend a section of the County Code in an effort to immediately increase the inventory of housing available to survivors of the August wildfires.

In early 2024, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation will begin working on a management plan for 23 acres of newly acquired county land on Maui’s north shore, which includes Wawau Point, often referred to as “Baby Beach.”

There were four tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility during the 2023 hurricane season, which officially wraps up on Thursday. FILE PHOTO: Dora satellite imagery (8.7.23 7:30 a.m.) PC: NWS/CPHC

The County of Maui is now taking steps to prepare as an approaching Kona low storm system brings the potential for damaging conditions.

The Postal Service’s suggested mailing dates are Dec. 16 for First-Class and Priority mail headed to the mainland. Procrastinators have until Dec. 20 to send their holiday cheer to the mainland via its expedited Priority Express shipping service.

Subpoenas have been served upon the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County of Maui Department of Public Works, and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply. The timeline for the release of the Phase 1 findings is dependent on the Fire Safety Research Institute gaining access to all facts before completing Phase 1.

Sentry Insurance today announced a new $1 million donation to Maui United Way to provide mental health resources to children who have lived through Maui’s wildfires. The donation adds to Sentry’s previous $1 million in contributions to aid wildfire recovery efforts.

CocoNene’s Maui Biz Ornaments initiative, featuring collectible wooden ornaments of local businesses, channels 50% of sales directly to Lahaina businesses that were affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires.

The Allstate Maui Invitational, the nation’s early-season college basketball tournament, KemperSports, and the college basketball community have rallied to raise $1.7 million for Maui wildfire relief and recovery efforts. 

The Maui AIDS Foundation will host “World AIDS Day – A Concert of Hope,” featuring performances by Eric Gilliom, Vince Esquire, and Anthony Pfluke on Dec. 1 at the Historic Iao Theater.

Award-winning graphic designer and ‘Ōiwi creator, Wailani Artates, announces the launch of lifestyle brand, Only Aloha Here, this weekend on Nov. 25 in her hometown of Makawao. The launch showcases a range of collaborations with local businesses.

An estimated 650 Thanksgiving meals were served on Wednesday under an annual community service partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and The Salvation Army.

“It’s crazy, because even though 14 years have gone by, it’s still very, very difficult. So we come and we do these events because we just beg people to make the right decisions. Do not drink and drive. We’re just asking that everybody has a place on their family table every year. So please, please, do not make a decision and change somebody else’s life,” said Andrea Maniago who lost her 16-year-old son Kaio Fukushima to a drunk driver in 2009.

Seventeen live coconut rhinoceros beetle larvae were found Tuesday by an arborist cutting down coconut palm trees in Kīhei. The arborist called the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and reported that he was contracted to remove 12 dead palm trees and found several large larvae in the crown of the first palm tree he cut down.