In Case You Missed It

Update: A head-on crash early Wednesday morning claimed the life of three people. Maui police have since identified all individuals involved. Police say speed is believed to be a factor in the fiery crash.

The rising reggae rock and pop band Through The Roots stops at da Playground Maui, leading off the Top 20 things to do on Maui this week. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

NOAA is investing $17 million from the Inflation Reduction Act in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to improve the climate resilience of the Kīhei, Maui visitor and community center. The facility’s beachfront location makes it vulnerable to climate change impacts, including upland flooding, powerful storms and sand inundation.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is seeking public comment on a proposed Clean Water Act permit for the County of Maui’s Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility. This is the first time a permit is being proposed for a wastewater treatment facility that discharges to the ocean via groundwater.

Maui women earned two of the top spots in the Solo SUP Foil division. Twenty-two-year-old Annie Reickert, finished the race in 3 hours, 2 minutes for second place; and 43-year-old Andrea Moller of Maui finished about 20 minutes later for third.   The men’s solo wing foil race was won by 19-year-old Finn Spencer from Maui who crossed the Ka’iwi Channel in 1 hour and 31 minutes.  Fellow Maui athlete, 14-year-old Bobo Gallagher rounded out the podium position in third place, completing the crossing in 1 hour and 43 minutes.

The Central Maui Little League senior team defeated the Central Region representatives out of Burbank, Illinois, 12-0 during an early morning game (6 a.m. HST Monday, July 31, 2023) at  J.B. Red Owens Sports Complex in Easley, S.C.

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Statement, in effect from 2 p.m. this afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. The NWS says timing will occur in the afternoon hours around the daily peak tides through Wednesday.

The Central Maui Little League senior team advances to Game 6 of the Senior League World Series tournament after defeating Weslaco, Texas 11-2 in Game 1 early Saturday morning.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources issued a $117,471.97 fine against the Albert Revocable Trust for coral and live rock damage caused by the grounding of the private luxury yacht Nakoa at Honolua Bay in northwest Maui earlier this year. The board is still contemplating and is open to seeking any kind of fair and reasonable penalty against the operator, Jim Jones and Noelani Yacht Charters, LLC, for damages done to cultural and natural resources.

A barricade situation reported in the Maui Lani area Friday afternoon ended peacefully. Maui police say a man was taken into custody for further medical evaluation, and no injuries were reported.

Visitor spending on Maui was $619.4 million in June 2023, compared to $549.8 million in June 2022 (+12.7%) and $477.1 million (+29.8%) in June 2019.

Maui’s Wailuku Elementary is one of 11 public preschool classroom sites across the state that are slated to open this school year, thanks to Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and the Ready Keiki Initiative.

“Government needs to change its mentality from intentionally constraining the supply of housing to incentivizing it, and this new grant program will help us do that,” said US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) who authored the legislation.

John Joseph Smith, 58, of Makawao, entered a not guilty plea in Second Circuit Court Wednesday. The charges stem from an ongoing police investigation into the discovery by hunters on July 5, 2023, of a body wrapped in plastic in a remote area of Kula.

The Central Maui Little League senior team advanced to the Senior League World Series tournament taking place in South Carolina.  

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels finalized its acquisition of the iconic Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel on Wednesday. The 11-acre, 432-room property is now rebranded as Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort.  Outrigger today announced that Maui Brewing Co. will be the primary restaurant at the Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort.

Two apartments that had been destroyed during an accidental fire in June 2022 at the Hale Makana O Waiale complex, have since been restored.

Internationally touring comedian Iliza Shlesinger, Hawaiian Island singer Anuhea and the annual Jimi Hendrix Rainbow Bridge celebration are among the Top 20 things to do on Maui this week. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The Royal Standard of Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, was returned to her home, Washington Place, and placed on public view for the first time in 130 years. The Queen’s Royal Standard flew over Washington Place when Queen Lili‘uokalani was at home, until it was illegally seized in 1893. 

Congressman Ed Case introduced a bill to end what he called “unfair shipping practices” to the non-contiguous parts of the US, saying Hawaiʻi customers are facing inflated costs.