In Case You Missed It

The volcano alert level at Mauna Loa was reduced from Warning to Watch on Saturday evening, as lava output and gas emissions wane.

A lava pond has replaced the fountains of lava at Mauna Loa’s fissure 3 vent, as scientists report a reduced supply of lava and gas emissions Saturday morning.

The nonprofit Hawai‘i Land Trust will honor Maui’s Dana Naone Hall as its 2023 Champion of the Land. She will be recognized at the 21st-annual Buy Back the Beach benefit lū‘au for her longtime contributions to land conservation in Hawai‘i. 

The search for a missing 60-year-old Washington State woman was called off at noon today, after teams from the Maui Fire Dept., Maui Ocean Safety, and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement failed to find her. 

The search resumes today for a woman who went missing Thursday while snorkeling in waters off of South Maui. The US Coast Guard is describing the missing individual as a 60 year-old female.

Three men from Kazakhstan were cited on Wednesday after being observed by three different law enforcement agencies, in the closed area of the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve on Hawai‘i Island. It’s the latest in a series of incidents involving trespassers at the eruption site. In one case, a trespasser posted video of himself roasting marshmallows on the volcano. #MauiNow #MaunaLoa

The information was shared as Maui Now inquired about five separate missing persons cases involving adult men in the East Maui area recently. The cases were reported over a span of 10 months, and the list of missing includes both residents and visitors ranging in age from 40-61. Assistant Chief Gregg Okamoto with the Maui Police Department said none of the cases are linked, and there is no suspicion of foul play involved. He said each case is being actively investigated separately as there is no indication that they are related.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for Dec. 8-14, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

A whale in distress, spotted in West Maui waters last week, suffered from blunt force injuries, likely caused by a vessel strike either on its migration to Hawaiʻi or while in feeding grounds, according to the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Hawaiʻi’s new Governor Josh Green M.D., started out as a physician in Hawaiʻi more than 20 years ago at a small clinic on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. In the years that followed, Gov. Green said he learned more about the challenges faced by residents as a member of the state House and the Senate. Today, he steps into a new role as the ninth governor of the state of Hawaiʻi.

Choice Health Bar on Maui has partnered with West Maui Green Cycle as the first business on Maui to compost to-go containers at the facility. West Maui Green Waste is Maui’s first commercial composting facility that is permitted by the Department of Health to complete the intended cycle of compostable food ware products. 

Although the flow has slowed over flat land over the past several days, fissure 3 in the Northeast Rift Zone remains active with a continuous supply of lava. Hikers are also being warned to stay out of closed areas.

This year, Kahumoku is among a handful of musical artist to receive the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Artists’ 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. In this interview, Kahumoku describes a Hawaiian culture that nurtured his life as a musician, his artistic routine, and the “accident” that made winning Grammys possible. Maui Now writer Gary Kubota interviews him.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the lava continued to advance at a rate of about 40 feet per hour. “Though the advance rate has slowed over the past 24 hours, the lava flow remains active,” according to HVO scientists.

At perhaps the most popular local coffee spot Upcountry, it’s hard to say what customers like better: the drinks or the owners. “The coffee is delicious, and the other thing I love about this place is the vibe. They’re so friendly and they’re really great people,” said Alfonso Segreti, who regularly drives from Kula to Makawao to get a decaf honey cream latte — even though he hasn’t had caffeine in four years.

The McGregor and Aluli ʻohana shared the following media statement highlighting “the lifetime of commitment of Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli and his legacy for generations of Hawaiʻi.” Aluli recently passed. He is recognized for his accomplishments as a healer, mentor and doctor.

Around fissure 3, a cone is developing, measured as approximately 157 high. The HVO reports that the flow front was about 2.5 mi from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and was advancing at a rate of 40 feet per hour at last report.

The project will include the replacement of the Hawaiian Hale structure, the installation of a fire suppression system to include a water storage tank and fire pump, fire suppression waterline, and electrical connections and other improvements. 

“On flat ground, lava flows spread out and inflate. Individual lobes may advance quickly, and then stall. Additional breakouts may occur if  lava channels get clogged upslope. There are many variables at play and both the direction and timing of flow advance are  expected to change over periods of hours to days, making it difficult to estimate when or if the flow will impact Daniel K. Inouye Highway,” according to the latest HVO update.

A national climate prediction report released Thursday shows relief may be ahead for Maui County, which has been suffering from the worst drought conditions in the state.