In Case You Missed It

Researchers from the UH Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology Shark Research Lab captured underwater video of a 30-foot whale shark feeding a mile off Kāneʻohe Bay near Kualoa Ranch.

The pin, named after the Hawaiian phrase “Mālama Maui,” signifying “Caring for Maui,” hopes to offer solace to residents while providing guidance for visitors. Its fundamental purpose is to establish a supportive environment for residents by offering a visual cue to visitors, signifying the importance of refraining from inquiring about the experiences of Maui residents, thus respecting their privacy.

The Federal Housing Administration has extended current foreclosure protections for borrowers in Maui County to assist those impacted by the August wildfires. Under the protection, mortgage servicers will be prohibited from initiating or completing foreclosure actions through May 6, 2024.

World Plate and Paniolo Grill are now open for lunch and welcoming back the campus community and the Maui community at large to Pā‘ina Market.

Due to low surface water flow and lack of rainfall amid drought conditions, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply is advancing the Stage 1 water shortage to a Stage 2 water shortage for the Upcountry service area on Nov. 8, 2023.

Josh Jerman of Hawaiʻi Life Real Estate Brokers is once again offering the Josh and Souk Jerman Foundation Scholarship to encourage college-bound students to use their education to benefit Maui County.

After staff gave updates on Māla Wharf, Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, and Kāʻanapali commercial activities, they fielded questions and comments from more than 200 people.

Recent sightings of lasers in and around Kahului and Kapalua Airport were reported and documented in the past week. Pilots landing at the airports have experienced a green laser illuminating their aircraft while on approach to land. Neighborhoods with reported incidents include: Kahului, Kapalua, Kīhei, and Nākālele.

The Maui Police Department today identified one more victim of the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire: Lee Rogo, 76, of Lahaina. There are now 98 people publicly identified of the 99 known fatalities.

For entertainment this week on Maui, multiple Grammy winner George Kahumoku and Jazz Maui are back in West Maui, the 10th annual Made-in-Maui Festival features more than 125 vendors and the University of Maui College hosts an Arts & Resilience event and Touch a Truck for kids. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The Maui Police Department today announced the establishment of a dedicated Cold Case Detail with a primary focus on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

An assessment conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health identified the greatest needs of Lahaina residents affected by the wildfires and evaluated the impact on their physical and mental health. 

Disclaimer: GRAPHIC CONTENT (Police body camera footage contains profanity). “There’s been multiple narratives about what took place on the day of those fires. This body worn camera footage makes it very clear and convincing that the Maui Police Department—the men and women of MPD—went above and beyond, and their actions reflect the finest tradition of this noble profession,” said Chief Pelletier.

While monetary contributions and fundraisers have been helpful, the Kōkua for Maui program offers the public a chance to connect with individuals and businesses and create an added economic boost.

The collection of wooden collectable ornaments will feature participating Maui businesses and will be available for purchase starting on Nov. 3, 2023 on the HI Biz website. Organizers say 50% of the sales from these ornaments will be channeled directly to the affected businesses, aiding their efforts to recover and rebuild.

A research team sighted their first whale of the season out of Māʻalaea on Oct. 25, about 5 miles off the coast of Kīhei, at 8:15 a.m.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center announced that it will recognize businesses impacted by the recent Maui wildfires with free rent for three months on a center Cart and a $2,000 cash stipend to help get them back on their feet. 

The County of Maui has submitted a request to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to utilize land in Olowalu near the closed landfill as a final disposition site for disposal of fire debris from the Aug. 8 wildfires.

Sentry leaders surprised four Maui non-profits—Maui United Way, Maui Food Bank, University of Hawaiʻi-Maui, and Boys & Girls Club of Maui—with the donations during a visit to the island earlier this month to better understand the needs of the community.

The state Commission on Water Resource Management held a marathon meeting on Maui Tuesday, lasting nearly nine hours. Members received testimony and updated the public on the Lahaina Aquifer Sector Area including wells in the fire-impacted area, water resources at Kauaʻula and Interim Instream Flow Standards (IIFS) for area waterways.