In Case You Missed It

US Senator Brian Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, secured $530 million in new congressional directed spending, also known as earmarks, in this year’s government funding bill.

Mayor-elect Bissen announced a new round of appointments to his cabinet including: Victoria Hamilton Takayesu as Corporation Counsel; Rogerene “Kali” Arce as Director of Department of Agriculture; Mālama Minn as Director of Parks and Recreation; and Lori Tsuhako as Director of Housing and Human Concerns.

Mayor-Elect Richard Bissen announced more appointments to his cabinet including: Andrew Martin as Prosecuting Attorney; Scott Teruya as Director of Department of Finance; and Jordan Molina as Director of Department of Public Works.

The medical transport aircraft, a King Air twin-engine propeller plane, went down just over a week ago. Global Medical Response, owners of Hawaii Life Flight, confirmed last week the crew was en route to pick up a patient in Waimea when it disappeared from radar.

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for Dec. 22-28, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

An accumulation of snow was observed along the roadsides near the summit of Haleakalā Tuesday. The observation was made after the most severe impacts from a kona low storm system passed over the state, bringing with it hazardous conditions to the mountaintop in recent days. Tonight’s forecast (Dec. 20, 2022) calls for lows near 35 °F with isolated showers and damaging winds.

There will be two public aerial fireworks displays in Maui County for New Year’s Eve–one offshore of the Grand Wailea Resort, and the other at the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at Mānele Bay. Both displays begin at approximately 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2022.

The Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center has four new tenants featuring local and sports apparel in time for the holidays.

The storm left portions of South Kīhei Road covered in mud, uprooted trees in Maui Lani and South Maui, and knocked out power to an estimated 12,000 customers on the Valley Isle. It also resulted in hazardous traveling conditions along the Hāna Highway, and caused some flights to be diverted because of poor visibility.

The Coast Guard has suspended the active search of East Maui Sunday for a missing aircraft and the three crew members aboard. Since Thursday evening, the USCG has searched more than 4,732 square nautical miles.

The search continues for a missing aircraft and the three crew members aboard in waters off of East Maui.

A report from the DOCARE investigating officer found that, based on information from the woman’s husband and an eyewitness, her disappearance is classified as “shark attack-fatal.” The MPD report terms the disappearance as a “miscellaneous accident-fatal.”

Owned by developer Greg Brown, the eight-bedroom, 45-foot-tall house at 5385 Lower Honoapiʻilani Road drew strong community opposition in 2021 over its height and its intended short-term rental use. The unfinished, two-story home originally called for two rooftop pools, eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, along with multiple dens and media rooms.

Nationally, applications for new mortgages have fallen by more than 40%, and figures for Hawaiʻi showed a 56% year-over-year drop in October.

A spokesperson for Hawaii Life Flight tells Maui Now, “Global Medical Response can confirm that one of our Hawaiʻi Life Flight emergency fixed wing airplanes based in Maui, went off radar while enroute to pick up a patient in Waimea Big Island.”

Hawaiian Electric recently donated $15,500 to Ke Kula ‘O Pi‘ilani to support the school’s innovative program that integrates modern science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with traditional Hawaiian knowledge and ‘āina-based learning. 

Painted by Fathima Mohiuddin as a project of nonprofit Maui Public Art Corps, the public artwork is an interpretation of a recorded talk-story between Kekoa Enomoto of ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu and Queen Kaʻahumanu Center’s Kauwela Bisquera, with additional symbolism garnered through Kahului community consultations over a 6-week design period. 

Dozens of people, including supporters, subscribers, and employees of The Maui News showed up for an informational picket Tuesday, in support of “securing a fair contract that protects local news coverage.”

Fukushima Store owner George Fukushima, whose parents started the store more than a half century ago in Haʻikū, said he is not doing media interviews. He reluctantly agreed to a brief statement. “On Dec. 23, we will close for the holidays,” Fukushima told Maui Now on Tuesday. “We will decide after that.”

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for Dec. 15-21, find our comprehensive listing HERE.