In Case You Missed It

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recently gave its prestigious 2023 Leadership Award to Case, who continues the fight for ocean-based climate solutions, sustainable climate ready fisheries management and international cooperation and coordination in saving the world’s oceans.

The County of Maui released further details about a $25 million federal grant announced earlier this week that will fund the proposed Līloa Drive Extension. The work is part of the first phase of a north segment of the long-discussed Kīhei North-South Collector Road.

Five University of Hawaiʻi Maui College students built a simulated satellite the size of a soda can for an international competition and rocket launch, UH reports. The payload system design team was called UHMCanSat and placed 27th out of hundreds of competing universities in the American Astronautical Society 2023 CanSat Competition in Blacksburg, Virginia in June.

A federal grant of $25,000,000 has been secured for the Līloa Drive extension in Kīhei on Maui as part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda. The project will extend Līloa Drive by 2,900 lineal feet and notes the addition of two more roundabouts to the South Maui community.

The state Department of Transportation has announced a speed limit reduction for part of the Haleakalā Highway.  Speed is being reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph in the northbound direction in the vicinity of the North Firebreak Road Intersection near the Hāna Highway, between mile 0.20 and 0.70.  

Mokulele Airlines will suspend its daily flights between Hilo and Kahului beginning Aug. 1, 2023. Mokulele will redeploy those aircraft to provide additional service to Molokaʻi and to add a new evening flight between Kahului and Kona.

Fourth of July fireworks and music, the Maui Film Festival, the Makawao Stampede rodeo and a number of Hawaiian concerts, including one by rising talent Wehilei, are among the top events happening on Maui. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

A single public aerial fireworks display is scheduled on July Fourth, at 8 p.m. from a barge positioned offshore of Front St. in Lahaina. The sale of July Fourth fireworks begins on June 29, 2023 and ends on July 4, 2023 at 8 p.m., the County of Maui’s, Department of Fire and Public Safety announced.

The Makawao Rodeo Parade returned in full flair on Saturday after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Spectators were greeted in true paniolo style with mounted and walking units, and popular stick horse races for keiki. The 2023 Parade Grand Marshal, Donna Otsuka directed the keiki pāʻū unit, and Duane Hamamura was the event’s Special Honoree this year. 

East Maui Council member Sinenci said the passage of this charter amendment returns the stewardship of the East Maui watersheds toward local residents of East Maui, “residents who have often sacrificed their lives maintaining this system, and who had to idly watch as their life suffered from a lack of water.”

Maui County Federal Credit Union hosts school supply drives at its branches in Kahului, Lahaina and Wailuku from June 20 until July 21, 2023. These events are in partnership with The Salvation Army’s annual Adopt a Backpack program which provides backpacks filled with school supplies for Maui’s children in need.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., signed several bills that seek to expand access to affordable housing and provide much-needed assistance to families and individuals who might be at risk of becoming homeless. 

The festival honors: Annie Gonzalez, starring as ‘Judy Montañez’ in Flamin’ Hot, with the Rising Star Award; and Yara Shahidi, starring as ‘Tinker Bell’ in Disney’s live action film Peter Pan & Wendy, will receive the Shining Star Award.

Here in Maui County, there were 75 permit to carry applications processed for private citizens (56 of them approved), and a 25.3% denial rate.

Independent Hawaiian culture and language immersion school Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani today announced a grant award totaling $77,700 that will support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Community Research Grant.

The state’s Environmental Court on Friday reduced the amount of water that can be taken from East Maui streams under revocable permits held by Alexander and Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation. 

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has issued a notice, advising Maui highway users that the newly installed traffic signals at Piʻilani Highway (Route 31) and its intersection with Okolani Drive/Mikioi Place will operate in flashing mode from Friday, June 23 through Sunday, June 25, 2023. This temporary action is to alert highway users to new signals that will serve as traffic control measures at the intersection.

Mana Up and Hawaiian Airlines announces Season 3 of a live-streamed Meet the Makers series, bringing six new experiences highlighting Hawaiʻi-based companies and their unique products. The series kicks off with an episode highlighting Duke Kahanamoku, plus an episode featuring Maui Nui Venison and award-winning Chef Chris Kajioka. 

The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano has paused, according to an update issued by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monday evening.

Kupu, a conservation and youth education organization, announced that this is the last week to apply for the 2023-2024 Kupu ʻĀina Corps program on Maui. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Maui.