Maui News

Kristin Baja, who has worked on resilience hubs for more than a decade, will discuss the role of hubs in supporting sustainability during a lecture and a community forum on Thursday, Jan. 16, as part of the County of Maui Mayor’s Sustainability Series.

The Heart of Aloha Church and Tenrikyo Molokaʻi received the Adopt-A-Highway Nō Ka ʻOi Highway Hui Award for the fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025, respectively. Both churches and their volunteers have regularly picked up trash along a two-mile segment of highway for the past eight or more years, helping to prevent roadside rubbish from blowing into the ocean or other sensitive ecosystems.

The restroom storage facility at Kahului School Park Field 2 was broken into and vandalized on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, according to the County Department of Parks and Recreation.

These scams involve bad actors impersonating trusted local banks and credit unions in an attempt to steal sensitive personal and financial information. The Credit Unions of Maui urge individuals to remain vigilant and take immediate precautions to protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

Two humpback whales were freed of life-threatening entanglements on Jan. 8 and 9 off the coast of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. These most recent responses bring the total number of humpback whale entanglement cases since mid-December to eight.

Joe Lecap, proprietor of Paniolo’s Steak & Seafood Bar & Grill and owner of the former Smokehouse in Lahaina said, “We are excited to welcome back our loyal customers, long-time visitors, and the vibrant faces of South Maui.”

County of Maui Department of Agriculture is seeking community input from Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Maui residents on the second draft of the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan before it is finalized next month.

Hawaiian Electric plans to deploy new technology, fortify infrastructure, minimize fire hazards and expand community partnerships to significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire started by its equipment, actions detailed in a new Wildfire Safety Strategy.

Roots Reborn, a nonprofit disaster response organization dedicated to supporting the migrant and immigrant communities on Maui, announced the launch of “Our Financial Future,” a financial education and aid program for migrant and immigrant survivors of the 2023 wildfires.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, Duane Sparkman will be the speaker at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting. Sparkman will share information about the Treecovery program. 

The Seabury Hall student group Art with Heart presents its annual collective of Seabury student art and performances entitled “The Family You Choose” on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the school’s ʻAʻaliʻikūhonua Creative Arts Center. The fine art gallery opens at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. 

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. announced that Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina will soon open their second location at Kapalua Resort after the 2023 wildfires claimed its original Front Street location.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the allocation of nearly $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for communities across 24 states and territories.  The County of Maui in Hawaiʻi received more than $1.6 billion for wildfires.

The West Maui Recreational Committee with Mana Mentors and Kahakukahi Foundation host the inaugural Recreation Expo for West Maui youth, Jan, 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. at DT Fleming Beach. The community event is focused on bringing youth activities—from sports to music—to keiki.

Lānaʻi residents are needed to serve as volunteer members on several Maui County boards and commissions, including the Lānaʻi Planning Commission, Liquor Control Commission, Police Commission, Board of Variances and Appeals, Fire and Public Safety Commission and Maui County Cultural Resource Commission.

The Teran James Young Foundation has been selected as the upcoming beneficiary of the ʻOhana Fuels “Fuel Up. Do Good.” program. ʻOhana Fuels partners with nonprofit organizations serving the needs of the local community by donating a portion of the proceeds from every gallon of gasoline purchased at ʻOhana Fuels stations in that community.

The Waiehu Golf Course’s women’s restroom will be closed for an estimated three months due to renovation starting on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation.

Akakū Maui Community Media kicks off its 2025 monthly Akakū Upstairs salon series on Thursday Jan. 16, 2025, with a screening of the award winning feature film, “My Partner.” There will be a followup discussion with Maui writer Lance D. Collins and Kānaka Maoli Director Keli’i Grace. 

Democratic Hawaiʻi Congressman Ed Case has teamed up with Arizona Republican Steve Womack and other lawmakers in a bipartisan push to re-introduce the Sustainable Budget Act.

Thirty-nine Hawaii students have earned nominations to US military service academies for the Class of 2029, announced US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono on Friday. The nominees will advance for consideration by each academy’s director of admissions.