In Case You Missed It

“The impact of the Maui wildfires continues to be felt in November’s figures, but with most of West Maui now reopened to tourism, there is a concerted effort to reinvigorate job opportunities and facilitate the economic recovery of Maui,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka.

Maui Humane Society is urging its community’s animal lovers to foster a pet now in an effort to clear space for incoming lost, sick, or injured pets who are expected to arrive as a result of New Year’s fireworks.

The Illegal Fireworks Task Force seized approximately 17 tons (34,000 pounds) of illegal fireworks on Wednesday from a shipping container that falsely declared its contents as other items.

Kaleo Manuel, the First Deputy on the state Commission on Water Resource Management is apparently leaving his post after being reassigned following the August wildfires, and then reinstated two months later following an investigation by the Attorney General.

“These devices play a crucial role in facilitating the processing of FEMA paperwork, unemployment claims, insurance matters, as well as aiding in education, housing, and employment searches, accessing support services, and maintaining connections with family and friends,” according to organization leaders.

The petition from a family on Olowalu Village Road says even temporary storage of these substances from the Aug. 8 wildfires “poses great risk of causing irreversible damage to soil, water, air, the ocean and people.”

Check out all the things to do around Maui for New Yearʻs Eve, including a fireworks show in Wailea. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry, a program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is now seeking grant proposals from community organizations that would like to share the benefits of trees with their communities for Arbor Day 2024. The deadline to apply is Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. HST.

Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a community-based water-quality monitoring organization, was awarded funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase its collection of West Maui water quality data in response to the Lahaina wildfire.

Despite losing two stores to the Lahaina fires, local clothing brand KaiAloha Supply, continues outreach in the community.

The NTSB is investigating the crash of a Cessna 172 airplane near Kahului Airport on Saturday morning, Dec. 23, 2023.

United Airlines hosted a Christmas Carnival for the keiki of Lahaina on Maui in December.  This year, the airline brought the festivities to Maui to spread the joy of the holidays to more than 150 keiki and their families.  

More than 100 youth and administrators from three local nonprofits gathered at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center on Dec. 18 as the guests of honor of Ledcor Maui. The festive event was the culmination of a month-long gift drive by Ledcor Maui called Makana no nā Keiki (Gifts for Children), which raised $100,000 for Maui youth. 

State and federal responders have completed recovery and removal operations in or adjacent to Lahaina Harbor. The US Army Corps of Engineers will conduct final disposition of fire-damaged vessels and incident-generated debris removed during harbor operations.

In the wake of the challenges posed by the wildfires, Maui Public Art Corps collaborated with students across the region to channel their emotions and reflections into a powerful visual representation of unity and strength. “The result is a vibrant collection of drawings that encapsulate the indomitable spirit of the Maui community,” organizers said.

The Sentry announced a complimentary ticket program in partnership with SERVPRO for first responders on Maui. The initiative aims to offer a day of community spirit to acknowledge the service and commitment of these workers following the Aug. 8 wildfires. Local first responders are invited to The Plantation Course at Kapalua from Jan. 4-7 for the PGA TOUR’s season-opening event.

Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center opened a new exhibit honoring the legacy of Lānaʻi’s Japanese community. Kodomo no tame ni (translated as for the sake of the children) features more than 30 artifacts and 25 photos from its vast archive, offering a first-hand glimpse of pieces from the island’s Japanese families.

The County of Maui aims to make it easier for residents to request and receive public records in accordance with Hawai’i law, thanks to software technology modernization, the county Department of the Corporation Counsel announced today.

There are two public aerial fireworks displays planned in Maui County this year–in South Maui at the Grand Wailea Resort, and at the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at 1 Mānele Bay Road. Both displays begin at approximately 11:59 p.m., New Yearʻs Eve, Dec. 31, 2023.

In preparation for Phase 2, in which the US Army Corps of Engineers will support the Maui County Consolidated Debris Removal Program, USACE will conduct night work for 18 nights (excluding Christmas) at the temporary debris containment site being constructed in Olowalu.