In Case You Missed It

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.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts has started construction on its new black box theater in the former National Dollar Store building at 2027 Main Street in Wailuku. With plans to consolidate programming in the new facility, the Board of Directors made the decision to list MAPA’s other two commercial buildings across the street for sale with Commercial Properties of Maui.  

Nearly six months after the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire, Maui police released a 98-page preliminary after-action report outlining 32 recommendations.

A project to install fencing in West Maui to keep invasive, hoofed animals out of key watershed forests, has a mutually beneficial goal of enhancing human health and environmental well-being.

The ʻUkiu Energy 40-megawatt (MW) biofuel-powered generator facility would be built on 10 acres owned by Hawaiian Electric at Waena across from the Central Maui Landfill – Refuse and Recycling Center on Pūlehu Road.

The Army Corps of Engineers completed its final phase of the federal wildfire response in Kula ahead of schedule last month, with their focus now shifting to West Maui. Volunteers in Kula say there’s more to be done and the remaining cleanup likely rests on the shoulders of residents.

Hawai‘i-made narrative feature film ‘Chaperone’ premiered in Park City Utah as part of the 30th Annual Slamdance Film Festival last week and took home the festival’s prestigious Grand Jury Award for Breakouts.

After his appointment to the 10th House District seat and the beginning of this year’s lawmaking session, Tyson Miyake is reading hundreds of bills, attending countless meetings and finding he’s not just another fresh face at the Hawaiʻi Legislature.