Maui News
State of Emergency Declared as Heavy Rains Pummel Hawaiian Islands
Governor David Ige on Tuesday evening signed an emergency declaration for the entire state as heavy rains resulted in flooding and landslides. There were also fears of dam failure, prompting evacuations in Haʻikū on Maui on Monday and Haleʻiwa on Oʻahu on Tuesday.
Grammy-nominated Musical Group, Nā Wai ʽEhā Honed Craft at UH Maui College
Kamalei Kawa‘a and Kalanikini Juan, members of the Grammy-nominated group Nā Wai ‘Eha took music classes at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and gave their appreciation for the lessons they learned from the college.
Kaupakalua Dam in Process of Being Decommissioned; Slated for Removal this Summer
The more than 100 year old earthen Kaupakalua Dam which overflowed on Monday, had been cited for deficiencies last year and owners had applied for permits to remove the structure, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirms.
March 9, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 42 Cases (16 O‘ahu, 18 Maui, 7 Hawai‘i Island, 1 Out-of-State)
The state Department of Health reports that there were 41 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 16 on O‘ahu, 18 on Maui, seven on Hawai‘i Island, and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed outside of the state.
Hawaiian Electric Adds Four New EV Fast-Charging Stations on Maui
Hawaiian Electric has added seven new publicly-accessible, fast-charging stations for electric vehicle drivers on Maui and O‘ahu.
16.63 Inches of Rain Fell in 24 Hours in East Maui — Beats 40 State Rainfall Records But Not Hawaiʻi’s
For the 24-hour period ending at 8 am today, West Wailua Iki in East Maui recorded 16.63 inches, which would be an extreme rainfall record for 40 states — but not Hawaiʻi.
Kaupakalua Farm House on Maui Swept Away by Flood: “There’s Literally No Trace”
Five people are among those displaced after a torrent of water and mud swept away a five-bedroom farm house and heavily damaged another shed dwelling on the same Maui property Monday afternoon.
Update/Open: Landslides and Boulders on Hāna Highway at Waikamoi
A portion of Hāna Highway (360) is closed in the area of Waikamoi, between Mile 10 and 13 due to landslides with large boulders.
Trash Collection Delayed in Ha‘ikū
Flooding and heavy rains delayed collection of trash in areas of Haʻikū this morning, the Department of Environmental Management announced. Trash will be collected for affected residents on Wednesday, March 10.
Japanese Cultural Society of Maui Seeking Students To Apply for College Scholarships
The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui is seeking high school seniors and full-time UH Maui College students to apply by March 31, 2021 for its cultural scholarships.
Maui Mayor Calls Kaupakalua Flooding Event “Unprecedented”
Mayor Calls Flooding Event “Unprecedented.” Flood waters yesterday destroyed Peʻahi Bridge and heavily damaged Kaupakalua Bridge in Haʻikū.
136 Year Old Dam Overflows on Maui, Assessment Underway
Crews are assessing conditions and damages this morning after the Kaupakalua Dam on Maui overflowed on Monday, forcing mass evacuations of the Haʻikū area.
Idaho Woman Arrested on Maui for Alleged Quarantine Violation, Volunteers to Leave
An Idaho woman is the latest individual to be arrested on Maui for alleged violation of rules and orders related to travel quarantine.
Flood Watch Through Late Tonight, Water Levels Remain Above Normal at Kaupakalua Dam
“Additional heavy rainfall over windward Maui could cause the failure of the Kaupakalua Dam near Haʻikū, where water levels remain above normal,” the NWS advises. “If the Kaupakalua Dam were to fail, a life-threatening flood wave could occur downstream of the dam.”
Agriculture Dept. Accepting Applications for Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the “Micro-Grants for Food Security Program,” which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to help produce food in areas where people don’t have enough to eat.
March 8, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 45 Cases (21 O‘ahu, 11 Maui, 10 Hawai‘i Island, 3 Out-of-State)
The state Department of Health reports that there were 45 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Monday, including 21 on O‘ahu, 11 on Maui, 10 on Hawai‘i Island, and three in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state.
More Assistance Available to Veterans in New Federal American Rescue Plan
The federal American Rescue Plan, which passed the US Senate March 6 and is expected to easily pass the US House of Representatives and be signed into law by the president in the coming days, includes additional assistance for veterans, according to a news release from Sen. Brian Schatz.
BREAKING Kaupakalua Dam Overflows: Evacuations Ordered, Half Dozen Homes Heavily Damaged or Destroyed
Emergency crews continue response to the overflow of a dam at Kaupakalua Reservoir on Maui. The earthen dam in the Haʻikū region of Maui crested over the top this afternoon at around 3 p.m. amid heavy rains and flash flood warning conditions.
“Highly Transmissible” B.1.351 Variant Detected in O‘ahu Resident
The state Department of Health State Laboratories Division has confirmed the detection of a new COVID-19 variant of concern, found in an O‘ahu resident with no travel history. This new strain has the technical name B.1.351 and is sometimes referred to as the South African variant.
‘Rising Up during COVID-19’ Virtual Event Celebrating National Ag Day in Hawaiʻi on March 23
To celebrate National Ag Day on March 23, Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival and Kamehameha Schools are presenting a virtual Talk Story and Pau Hana featuring Hawai‘i organizations that are helping the community rise up during the COVID-19 pandemic through agriculture, education and culinary.
