Maui News

The University of Hawaiʻi Community College System earned an 11th best in the nation ranking among 41 statewide systems, according to a 2025 WalletHub analysis.

Artists are invited to explore Maui watersheds and use their creative talents to raise awareness about the importance of protecting native species.

The event will provide an important platform for the Filipino community in Lahaina to voice their concerns, ask questions, and receive updates on wildfire recovery efforts following the devastating Aug. 8, 2023 fires.

The state Department of Transportation will be conducting road work this week that will result in lane closures at various locations. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Maui police have identified the fallen officer from Friday night’s fatal shooting in Pāʻia as Officer Suzanne O. Officer O began her service with the Maui Police Department in 2020, first working in the Kīhei Patrol District before moving to the Wailuku Patrol District in December 2021. 

The Credit Unions of Maui held the 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at The Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course. The event raised $35,000 in net proceeds for the Pacific Cancer Foundation, a Maui nonprofit dedicated to providing free, compassionate support to individuals and families navigating cancer. 

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation will accept permit applications for use of the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium from 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.

Maui’s axis deer population is booming, raising concerns for forests, watersheds and farms. At a recent Invasive Species Meeting, Jeff Bagshaw of the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife urged hunters to prioritize culling to keep the herd in check.

The public has until Sept. 8 to comment on a draft environmental assessment for a Maui County Department of Water Supply project to sink and test four exploratory water wells in Launiupoko, West Maui.

The Maui Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own following an officer-involved shooting in Pāʻia, Friday night. Police say the caller reported that an unknown individual had trespassed onto the property and fired a weapon at them. Upon arrival, officers encountered the armed suspect, who discharged a firearm, striking one of the responding officers.

State permits are being sought for another 20 years of operations of Kaheawa Wind Power 1, located above the town of Māʻalaea. The 30-megawatt wind farm’s original 20-year power purchase agreement is set to expire in 2026.

The brush fire reported in Haʻikū near West Kuiaha Road and the Hāna Highway was declared extinguished as of 3:28 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua presents rising star Tiera Kennedy as part of the Maui Songwriters Festival Summer Series on Friday, Aug. 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the resort’s Alaloa Lounge. This special performance is complimentary and open to the public, offering an exciting start to Labor Day Weekend.

The Hawai‘i Rotary District 5000 Foundation is continuing its Maui Fires Relief Fund efforts, directing $40,000 to a bold new pilot project designed to bring emergency power to wildfire-impacted communities.

According to court documents, Dwayne Yuen, 52, of Honolulu, exploited and harassed at least 10 victims, who he met through youth basketball, where he served as a coach and mentor.

These plans aim to balance the benefits of tourism with the needs of residents, the preservation of natural and cultural resources, the residents’ quality of life, and providing an exceptional visitor experience on each island.

“This will save people time and money by allowing them to find the information online, at any time of day. Right now, people usually hire a professional, like a title expert, to help them. When we launch this map service, people will be able to type their address or tax map key in and have the state survey information on the parcel come up,” said DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan.

On the leeward side of Kaua’i, Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha — a pre-K-12 charter school — is celebrating its 25th anniversary and a major milestone in preserving ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, the Niʻihau dialect. The school announced it has authored and published more than 400 books in the language, with a selection now on display at the Līhuʻe Public Library.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as part of the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition. The Maui County teachers are: Kindergarten teacher Susan Chew of Lānaʻi High and Elementary School and 5th grade teacher Kristel Pigao of Waiheʻe Elementary.

South Kīhei Road was reopened to all north and south bound traffic from North Kīhei Road to Ohukai Road today, Aug. 14, 2025, after being closed last Friday due to coastal flooding, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works (DPW).