The rigging attached to a grounded luxury yacht off of Maui’s Honolua Bay, failed during a second salvage attempt Monday night, state officials said. The contractor headed back to Oʻahu last night to resupply with stronger rigging. Wednesday is the earliest salvage operations will resume, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Maui’s Kāʻanapali Beach was ranked the best beach in the US, and the No. 10 beach in the World by TripAdvisor. Also making the US ranking was Kauaʻi’s Hanalei Beach at No. 4, and Maui’s Hoʻokipa Beach Park at No. 5.

Another attempt will be made during high tide later today to pull the grounded luxury yacht, Nakoa, further from shore. The vessel has been grounded for a week just beyond the boundary of the Honolua-Mokulē’ia Marine Life Conservation District.  

Dippin’ Dots, known for its flash-frozen beaded ice cream, debuts the brand’s new location in Kahului, Maui. The 700-square-foot store located at 312 Alamaha Street in Kahului officially opened its doors in December 2022.

Salvage crews are waiting for favorable tide conditions to free the 120-ton luxury yacht, Nakoa, has been grounded at Honolua Bay on Maui since last week. Higher tides are forecast late this afternoon and early evening, but may not be enough to refloat the vessel out to open water, according to state officials.

Theo Morrison has been a staunch advocate for the restoration of historic buildings and the preservation of Maui history, through her work as executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation for the past 15 years. Morrison, once a fiber artist creating baskets from a variety of natural materials, has helped to successfully weave the stories of Lahaina’s past into an amazing tour through history. Maui Now’s Gary Kubota conducts this People of Maui interview.

Defueling of the 120-ton luxury yacht, Nakoa, is now complete, and salvage of the vessel is expected to start on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023.

Work to remove fuel, other pollutants, and batteries from the grounded 94-foot-long luxury yacht Nakoa, will continue today (Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023) at Honolua Bay in northwest Maui. The State will bill the yacht’s owner for reimbursement of the $460,000 salvage cost, and for additional staff and administrative costs, and take legal action if necessary.

Even though she’s not represented by the union on strike, Angela Weldon, a charge nurse on the hospital’s fifth floor, joined the demonstration on her day off to show support. Weldon said the strike is being felt across the hospital. “Hells yeah it’s going to have an impact,” she said. “I have to go to work tomorrow night and I’m scared.”

A contract has been secured to excavate the contaminated soil around a generator at the summit of Haleakalā where an estimated 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex late last month. A Pentagon official flew in to Maui on Wednesday, apologizing for the incident, and expressing embarrassment by the fact that it occurred. Full story by Wendy Osher at mauinow.com.

For years, it was commonly thought that humpback whales did not have a presence in the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. That changed in 2006, when scientists recorded a whale song remotely, but not much was known about abundance at the time A new paper reports an abundance of […]

Nearly 500 frontline healthcare workers at Maui Health System are set to begin a strike today amid a dispute in pay and failed contract negotiations.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for Feb. 23 – March 1, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The US Coast Guard federalized the vessel on Tuesday, which means the yacht cannot be moved until all fuel, batteries, and any other pollutants on board are removed. That process may involve a helicopter and is expected to take at least through Wednesday, according to a DLNR news release.

The owners of the luxury yacht Nakoa have hired a private contractor to salvage the vessel which grounded nearshore at Honolua Bay early on Sunday, state officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources report.

Hawai’i’s first Sonic restaurant opened today in Kahului to crowds of people, a performance by Sonic owner and award-winning Maui musician Glenn Awong of Maoli, a debut of the chain’s Hawai’i-only teriyaki burger — and new local celebrity Frank Barbosa. Barbosa, who’s from Maui, gained popularity in 2020 when he was first in line at Jollibee’s opening in Kahului. Since then, he’s been first in line at subsequent fast-food openings Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s and now Sonic. “I’m 4-0,” Barbosa said.

An informational Open House on the Hawaiian cultural center in Wailuku, called “Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art,” will be held on Monday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Maui Academy of Performing Art’s Promenade Food Court located at 2050 Main Street in Wailuku. 

A vessel has run aground at Honolua Bay on Maui, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources has confirmed.

Since ‘Aha Pūnana Leo started 40 years ago in 1983, its founders and board of directors have demonstrated a vision of “E Ola Ka ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i” (the Hawaiian language shall live on) to lay a foundation for school systems and communities to carry out their everyday life in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. 

The leader of Maui’s new manapua shop — Happy Opu — takes the snack very seriously. After all, the savory or sweet treat is one of the main comfort foods to come from Hawai’i’s ethnic and cultural melting pot.