In Case You Missed It

The Makawao Rodeo Parade returned in full flair on Saturday after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Spectators were greeted in true paniolo style with mounted and walking units, and popular stick horse races for keiki. The 2023 Parade Grand Marshal, Donna Otsuka directed the keiki pāʻū unit, and Duane Hamamura was the event’s Special Honoree this year. 

East Maui Council member Sinenci said the passage of this charter amendment returns the stewardship of the East Maui watersheds toward local residents of East Maui, “residents who have often sacrificed their lives maintaining this system, and who had to idly watch as their life suffered from a lack of water.”

Maui County Federal Credit Union hosts school supply drives at its branches in Kahului, Lahaina and Wailuku from June 20 until July 21, 2023. These events are in partnership with The Salvation Army’s annual Adopt a Backpack program which provides backpacks filled with school supplies for Maui’s children in need.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., signed several bills that seek to expand access to affordable housing and provide much-needed assistance to families and individuals who might be at risk of becoming homeless. 

The festival honors: Annie Gonzalez, starring as ‘Judy Montañez’ in Flamin’ Hot, with the Rising Star Award; and Yara Shahidi, starring as ‘Tinker Bell’ in Disney’s live action film Peter Pan & Wendy, will receive the Shining Star Award.

Here in Maui County, there were 75 permit to carry applications processed for private citizens (56 of them approved), and a 25.3% denial rate.

Independent Hawaiian culture and language immersion school Ke Kula ʻO Piʻilani today announced a grant award totaling $77,700 that will support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Community Research Grant.

The state’s Environmental Court on Friday reduced the amount of water that can be taken from East Maui streams under revocable permits held by Alexander and Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation. 

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has issued a notice, advising Maui highway users that the newly installed traffic signals at Piʻilani Highway (Route 31) and its intersection with Okolani Drive/Mikioi Place will operate in flashing mode from Friday, June 23 through Sunday, June 25, 2023. This temporary action is to alert highway users to new signals that will serve as traffic control measures at the intersection.

Mana Up and Hawaiian Airlines announces Season 3 of a live-streamed Meet the Makers series, bringing six new experiences highlighting Hawaiʻi-based companies and their unique products. The series kicks off with an episode highlighting Duke Kahanamoku, plus an episode featuring Maui Nui Venison and award-winning Chef Chris Kajioka. 

The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano has paused, according to an update issued by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monday evening.

Kupu, a conservation and youth education organization, announced that this is the last week to apply for the 2023-2024 Kupu ʻĀina Corps program on Maui. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Maui. 

Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa departed Statter Harbor in Juneau, Alaska early Sunday morning, officially starting the four-year Moananuiākea Voyage to circumnavigate the Pacific. 

Now that the canoe and the crew of this next leg from Juneau to Ketchikan have been blessed, they are waiting for a favorable weather window to make their departure and officially start the circumnavigation of the Pacific.

The Queen Kaʻahumanu Center announced updates regarding two retail shops. Ekolu Music & Apparel at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center has entered into a long-term lease after a successful opening in November 2022; and fellow retailer, Football Fanatics is moving to a 5,000 square-foot flagship store at the former site of Champs.

A ceremonial blessing and send-off is planned today in Juneau, Alaska for the global launch of the Moananuiākea Voyage.  The Polynesian sailing canoe Hōkūleʻa and her crew are set to embark on the four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. 

Hawaiʻi Gas union workers voted Wednesday to ratify a new three-year contract, marking the end of a strike that started on June 1, 2023.

The change in the Council on Revenues general fund projections for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 went from +2% in March to –1% in May, which Gov. Green said, prompted the need to rebalance the state’s financial plan through line-item reductions to the budget.

Governor Josh Green, M.D. has signed legislation to expand access to health care on Maui and to uplift career advancement opportunities for health care workers in the state.

Wildlife and enforcement officials have reported yet another monk seal death on Oʻahu. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement responded to a report of a young monk seal, identified as RS48, and also known as Hoʻomau Lehua. The seal was found dead on June 12, 2023, on the North Shore of Oʻahu. NOAA officials say the cause of the seal’s death is currently unknown.