In Case You Missed It

The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association honored  the state of Hawai‘i with the 2022 Best Plate Award, recognizing the  Polynesian Voyaging Society’s depiction of its iconic voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a at anchor at Kualoa Bay, the site of its inaugural launch in 1975. 

Registration starts June 13 for the popular Keiki Tilapia Fishing Tournament, presented by Hawaiian Electric, Kā‘anapali Golf Courses, and Maui United Way.

Department officials say many economists believe that the US economy will experience a recession during the second half of 2023. However, the Hawai‘i economy has not recovered from the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2023 bon dance schedule kicked off this weekend with the first event held June 3 at the Lahaina Shingon Mission. Find a complete schedule of upcoming bon dance dates HERE:

A blessing and groundbreaking ceremony for the new County of Maui West Maui Water Source Development Project was held on 10.5 acres of former pineapple land below the West Maui Mountains in Honokōwai.

The contractor selected to complete emergency slope stabilization and repair work at remote Alelele Point area near Kīpahulu in East Maui began mobilizing this week by bringing in materials and equipment.

Hōkūleʻa, the legendary voyaging canoe that revived the lost art of Polynesian voyaging and navigation and sparked a cultural renaissance in Hawaiʻi, is preparing to embark on a four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. 

Blackbird Presents and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center present a world premiere screening Saturday, June 10 outdoors under the stars in the A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion featuring an in-person introduction by Willie Nelson of the recent filmed concert event at the Hollywood Bowl honoring his 90th birthday.

The County of Maui commemorated the 15thanniversary of its Sister City relationship and lasting friendship with the people of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan when Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen traveled there to meet with city dignitaries.

The 14th Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair tops the list of 20 things to do this upcoming week in Maui, June 1-7. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

When explaining the significance of the name “Waiahiokole,” Keʻeaumoku Kapu, CEO of Aha Moku said “kole” means raw, and “waiahi” talks about the turbulence during the time of the shark birthing process. In addition to the literal translation, Kapu said scholars that he reached out to told him it was also named after a prominent chief that lived in the area. Dr. Janet Six, principal archaeologist for the County of Maui said, that while “Puamana definitely is a Hawaiian word–it just is one that was assigned to a large plantation house in the 1920s.” She explained that the area is historically a large grave site.

The county’s Department of Planning is creating a public tool that will help reduce flood risk for human life and property while protecting and restoring Maui County’s important natural wetland ecosystems, county officials announced.

The County of Maui will hold three community meetings for residents and businesses impacted by the emergency road closure at the Alelele Point area in East Maui. This comes after recent rockfalls in the area.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce is now accepting Product Vendor and Food Truck Vendor applications for the 2023 Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival. The 10th Annual event will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Nov. 3 and 4, 2023.

An early morning structure fire at a Kahului restaurant resulted in $440,000 in damage, Friday.  The fire was first reported at 1:51 a.m. on May 26, 2023 at the new Rey’s Place restaurant, located at 70 Lono Ave.  

Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply in the state in April 2023. In comparison to pre-pandemic April 2019, ADR was higher in April 2023, but vacation rental supply, demand and occupancy were lower.

There are currently more than 130 dogs in the shelter’s care, but only 40 kennels. The organization reports that for the first time in years, the shelter has a list of at-risk animals for euthanasia.

There is a 50% chance of above-normal tropical cyclone activity during the Central Pacific hurricane season this year, according to the outlook from NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. For the 2023 season, 4 to 7 tropical cyclones are predicted for the Central Pacific hurricane region.

Dozens of items were confiscated during a raid of the Antique Freak shop in Wailuku, Tuesday. A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged on suspicion of multiple misdemeanors including prohibited wildlife trafficking and possession of endangered and protected wildlife.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, marking the start of a $17 million capital improvement project to install infrastructure for the planned Puʻunani subdivision in Waikapū. DHHL reports the funding is the first from the $600 million appropriated under Act 279 to serve beneficiaries on the DHHL waitlist.