Dozens of members of the Maui for Palestine group turned out Saturday along East Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului to rally for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. And, today, US Sen. Brian Schatz announced the US Senate’s passage of the National Security Act, which includes humanitarian aid for Gaza and US support for the Ukraine.

Paul Kasprzycki, an artist, craftsman and woodcarver credited with creating the welcome to Lahaina signs, was positively identified publicly Tuesday as the 101st fatality of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.

The song, “Yonder Lahaina Mountains,” was released on Dec. 31 and features the voices of musical artists Kaleo Phillips, Marvin Tevaga and Kapena DeLima, along with the Kamehameha Schools Maui Ensemble choir and hula dancers. Affectionately known as “The Boarder’s Song,” it was originally composed by Alice K. K. Banham. Phillips, who was among those who lost his home in the August wildfires, said the inspiration for recording the song with KS Maui came to him in a dream.

Imua Discovery Garden hosts an outdoor sculpture exhibit, the largest of its kind in Maui County, aimed at raising crucial funds for the nonprofit organization while fostering a deeper appreciation for outdoor art and bolstering support for the Wailuku Arts District. 

The Wall That Heals, the largest replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall that travels the country, arrived at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku on Feb. 8, marking its first-ever visit to Maui.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i on Thursday dedicated a new multi-purpose building for residents at its Kahului Lani senior affordable housing complex on Maui. Organization leaders also unveiled their next project, Hale Pilina, a 178-unit affordable housing complex at the former site of the Maui Swap Meet on South Pu‘unēnē Ave.

Six months after the Aug. 8 Maui wildfire disaster, the Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee recommended passage of a bill to lower permitting hurdles and allow fire survivors to rebuild sooner rather than later.

Today, Gov. Josh Green, M.D. expressed confidence that positive progress is being made in the transition of wildfire survivors from hotels to long-term housing, making a moratorium on short-term rentals “not likely.”

About half of Maui residents impacted by the August wildfires say their health is worse now compared to a year ago and more than half say they lost their jobs because of the fires, according to a new report issued by the University of Hawaiʻi. Over at least the next 10 years, the study aims to document the acute and chronic health impacts and social conditions caused by one of the most deadly and destructive natural disasters in Hawaiʻi history.

Six months after the August’s wildfires on Maui, the American Red Cross continues to care for nearly 5,000 affected residents in the temporary emergency non-congregate sheltering program.

The 212-unit, low-income Aikanaha rental housing project underwent review Wednesday morning by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. The project could be the first buildout in the Waikapū Country Town development.

State Rep. Mahina Poepoe has introduced Bill 2544, which provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation for residents of medically underserved rural communities such as Molokai and Lāna‘i. The measure makes chartered flights to seat patients, as well as health care providers.

Lahainaluna High School football coaches Dean Rickard (co-head coach), Garret Tihada (associate head coach) and Bobby Watson (former head coach) will join players Morgan “Bula” Montgomery, Teva Loft, Kaulana Tihada and Kuola Watson as honorary coin toss captains at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11. 

The International Kitesurfing Association officially measured and certified the wave, and Guinness approved the new record on Jan. 22, 2024, a year to the day after McLaughlin conquered the wave.

Kate Blystone won a recommendation for confirmation as Department of Planning director in an 8-1 vote Tuesday afternoon from the Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Government Transparency Committee.

This week on Maui, there’s major tribute concerts to Jimmy Buffet with Jake Shimabukuro and songwriter Mac McAnnaly, and a Willie K Tribute by Makana. There’s also events celebrating Mardi Gras, Valentines Day, Chinese New Year and a football viewing for the weekend.

Maui Humane Society will open its new Lahaina Pet Resource Center on Feb. 7, 2024, following a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony at 11 a.m. A mobile veterinary clinic event will be held following the ceremony, offering free wellness services to pets affected by the fire.

Ongoing El Niño climate conditions have not generated as much dry weather as expected in the Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiʻi Drought Council reports.

“The impact we’ve made together in Tre’s memory is a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of aloha,” said Chelsie Evans Enos, Tre’s Mom and founder of the Live Like Tre’ Foundation. “We miss him every second. He deserves his story to inspire others to be kinder and to spark small acts of kindness. His legacy lives on in those who honor his memory in these ways.”

ʻĀina Lani Pacific is seeking a Maui County grant of more than $4.9 million to help pay for steeply rising construction costs projected for the developer’s 28-home Kilohana Makai project in Kīhei.