Maui News
State Education Board Holding Two Virtual Meetings Dec. 3 on Proposed Budget Cuts
The Hawaii State Board of Education will hold two meetings Dec. 3 to vote on the proposed Department of Education budget that could lead to the layoff of teachers.
Full Detour for W. Vineyard Street between Market and Church Streets in Wailuku
West Vineyard Street will be fully closed between Market and Church streets starting on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. The closure is expected to continue through January 2021.
Dec. 2, 2020 COVID-19 Update: 78 New Cases (63 O‘ahu, 4 Maui, 1 Hawai‘i Island, 1 Kaua‘i, 9 Out-of-State)
There were 78 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 63 on O‘ahu, four on Maui, one each on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi and nine in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. The Maui count today included cases in Lahaina and Kula. Both Kīhei and Lahaina have a medium range of infections with 41 cases reported in Kīhei in the last 14 days, and 23 cases in Lahaina reported over the same period.
Gov. Ige Appoints Max Otani as Public Safety Director
Gov. David Ige announced the appointment of Max Otani to serve as the director of the Department of Public Safety, effective Dec. 1, 2020. Otani replaces Nolan Espinda, who retired in September.
Meetings Seek Feedback on Maui’s 5,000-Unit Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan
Maui nonprofits, Hawaiian Community Assets joins Akakū: Maui Community Media in hosting a series of community meetings from December 2020 through February 2021 to gather feedback from local residents on the development the County’s 5,000-unit Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan.
Nominees Announced for 2020 Annual Mayor’s Small Business Awards
The Maui Chamber of Commerce announced the nominees for the 2020 Mayor’s Small Business Awards. Nominees and winners will be honored during a virtual event on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Maui Financial Opportunity Center Opens in Wailuku
A Financial Opportunity Center is now open in Wailuku to provide intervention for economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. With its new location in Wailuku, the FOC aims to assist 3,000 Maui residents and families in qualifying for affordable rentals and mortgage financing over the course of three years.
No December Go Green Recycling for West Maui; Next Event Jan. 9
he monthly Go Green Recycling event for bulky items in West Maui will not be held in December; the next event is Jan. 9.
DLNR: Kahakapao Recreation Area on Maui is a “Hot-Spot” for Illegal Trails
Illegal trails have become a concern with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources identifying 21 such paths crossing the popular Pineapple Express mountain bike trail alone at the Kahakapao Recreation Area on Maui.
Hawaiian Electric Aerial Line Inspections in Upcountry and Central Maui on Dec. 4
Hawaiian Electric will be using a helicopter for routine aerial power line inspections on Friday, Dec. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Upcountry and Central Maui area, weather permitting.
Maui Crime Nov. 22 – 28: Burglaries, Break-ins, Thefts
Maui police responded to four burglaries, 12 vehicle thefts and three vehicle break-ins in Maui County over a seven day period from Nov. 22 to 28, 2020.
Dec. 1, 2020 COVID-19 Update: 44 New Cases (32 O‘ahu, 5 Maui, 6 Hawai‘i Island)
There were 44 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 32 on O‘ahu, five on Maui and six on Hawai‘i Island. Maui count today included cases in Kīhei, Lahaina and Makawao. Kīhei darkened to the medium range two weeks ago with 41 cases reported there in the last 14 days. Lahaina is also in the medium range with 19 cases reported over the same period.
For First Time, Keiki in Hawaiʻi Can Participate in USPS’s Operation Santa
For the first time, keiki in Hawaiʻi can participate in the US Postal Serviceʻs popular Operation Santa letter writing program, which enables volunteers to “adopt” letters and fulfill Christmas wishes by sending gifts in Santa’s place.
Sen. Schatz Urges Hawaiʻi to Maintain Expanded COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) sent a letter to Gov. David Ige to urge him to maintain Hawai‘i’s expanded COVID-19 contact tracing program when the current federal funding runs out Dec. 31.
Maui Real Estate Report for October Shows Activity Up and Supply Down
The REALTORS® Association of Maui released its October 2020 real estate statistics report that shows for this time of year buyer activity remains higher than normal while many segments of the market housing supply remains lower.
US Postal Service Announces Holiday Mailing Dates and Tips for Hawaiʻi
To help ensure holiday letters, cards and packages arrive by Christmas, the US Postal Service has announced mailing tips and suggested mailing dates specific to Hawaiʻi.
AG Connors Joins in Seeking Extension for CARES Act Funding
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of attorneys general urging Congress to extend the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy Act funding until the end of 2021.
House COVID-19 Committee Offers Recommendations on State’s Pre-Travel Testing Program
The House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness sent a proposal to Governor David Ige and the Mayors of all four counties to modify the State’s Safe Travels Hawaiʻi Program which requires travelers coming to Hawaiʻi have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their plane.
Monthly Siren and Emergency Alert System Test, Dec. 1
The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at 11:45 a.m.
Memorial Checkpoint Comes as Maui Police Deal with 400 Percent Increase in Habitual Drunk Driving
“It’s the decision that you make when you get in that car. You can’t change it. It’s like firing a gun. Once you pull the trigger, you can’t get that bullet back. So we need people to understand, especially at this time of the year, especially during the holidays and even with all the other stressors that have taken place all year long–do not drink and drive. Do not drink and drive,” said Lieutenant William Hankins.
