In Case You Missed It

Approximately 16 tons of illegal fireworks were seized in a shipping container late last week in Honolulu as part of enforcement efforts conducted by the state’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force.

Nearly two years after conservationists believed all seven kiwikiu birds translocated to the Nakula Natural Area Reserve on Maui had died, a single honeycreeper from the group was located and confirmed to be alive.

With ongoing recovery efforts and an estimated 6,000 people still in search of longer-term living arrangements, greater emphasis is being placed on encouraging property owners to offer their available units as long-term housing for survivors and their families.

This week on Maui, some Lahaina top entertainers and chefs hold a Wailea benefit for Maui wildfire survivors, a free Keiki Christmas Carnival takes place in Kaʻanapali, time for another Kīhei 4th Friday, and Kanekoa performs a holiday concert “Make Any Kine Christmas.” Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

An estimated four acres of brush burned in an afternoon fire along the Maui Veterans Highway west of the Maui Raceway Park between Kahului and Kīhei on Tuesday.

Grand Wailea hosts an intimate sunset performance and evening of music for all ages on Friday, Dec. 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. The festivities will begin with music by Hawaiian reggae band Inna Vision, followed by a special performance from NBC-TV’s “The Voice” Season 24 contestant Jason Arcilla of Maui, as well as fellow contestant Kaylee Shimizu of Oʻahu.

The state Department of Transportation will be conducting road work this week that will result in lane closures at various locations. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.  All projects are weather permitting. 

The session, planned for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, will be held at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Kāʻanapali Honokahua and Honokeana Room, 2365 Kāʻanapali Parkway on Maui. Registration for the event, which will also be broadcast via Zoom, must be completed by Dec. 20.

Maui Bicycling League partnered with the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, Sovereignty Bike Company from Kauaʻi, and Young Brothers to fulfill the wishes of over 80 kids who requested bikes for Christmas.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Kahului Target Store, Child and Family Services, and various first responders brought holiday cheer to children who were impacted by the recent Lahaina wildfires at its first-ever “Target’s Heroes and Helpers” event held Saturday on Maui.

Santa Claus—in the guise of longtime Maui businessman Richard Dan—gave away hundreds of ʻukulele on Saturday to children at Lahaina schools who lost their homes in the August wildfires.

There will be an alternating, single lane closure on Keawe Street/Lahaina Bypass (Route 3000), from Sunday, Dec. 17, through Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, as contractors replace drain lines across the highway that were damaged in the Lahaina wildfires.  

“I do want to be blunt here, if we don’t get people stepping up, I’m going to drop the hammer on short-term rentals that aren’t able to be used by our people. It’s just not okay that we don’t have housing for our local people. And so, I will propose a moratorium on short-term rentals through emergency rules. I’m sure we will face litigation, but I will do it if we don’t get 3,000 units for our people who have been living in hotels—because it’s not civilized to make people wait to get housing after they’ve lost their home in a fire,” said Gov. Green.

Speaker Scott K. Saiki today announced that the Final Report of the House of Representatives Lahaina Wildfire Interim Working Groups has been published. The report is a culmination of efforts from six bipartisan working groups, formed on Sept. 6, 2023, to evaluate topics related to the Lahaina wildfire.

UHERO forecast: “There remain a host of uncertainties surrounding Maui’s future recovery path, including how fast residents can be moved from hotels to more permanent housing, the speed of ongoing cleanup work, the extent and duration of support programs, and how long and in what fashion rebuilding will occur.”

Maui Mall Village welcomes new retailer, Makaliʻi, to the center. The locally owned and operated small business sells Maui-made products, including T-shirts, earrings, necklaces, hats, stickers, and acrylic 3D Lites. The shop also sells Maui Strong products and Lahainaluna Athletics branded gear and accessories.

Residents previously scheduled to relocate to new American Red Cross non-congregate shelter locations between Dec. 15 and Dec. 18 have been extended in their current hotel sheltering locations until after the holidays, according to a Red Cross update.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is providing year-to-date traffic fatality statistics for 2023 as it continues to promote responsible driving habits to keep roads safe. As of Dec. 13, 2023, 92 fatalities caused by motor vehicle collisions were reported statewide. While there has been improvement in overall driving behavior, the number of fatalities by motorcycle collisions has been consistently high for multiple years.

Choice Health Bar makes a comeback to the Westside, reopening their location at Whalers Village in Kāʻanapali this week. The Whalers Village location is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Space still available for Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii Health Access Program for Maui residents who aren’t eligible for Medicaid or other health plans. Apply before open enrollment ends Jan. 16, 2024.