Maui News

Four local food-focused entrepreneurs will share a total of $50,000 in cash prizes to expand and scale their businesses as winners of Kamehameha Schools’ 2024 Mahi‘ai Match-Up, a business plan competition that aims to strengthen Hawai‘i’s food system. The winning companies — Hā Tonics, The Local General Store, Polipoli Farms, and Manu Brewing Co. — were honored Thursday at ʻAha ʻAina Pauahi, a celebration at the Royal Hawaiian Center. 

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 30, the County of Maui’s Disaster Recovery Community Update Meetings will be held at a new location in the cafeteria at Lahaina Intermediate School. The school is located at 871 Lahainaluna Road; the cafeteria is makai of the main parking lot.

For the last two weeks, Hōkūleʻa has been docked at Māʻalaea, where the crew has been hosting students and the community for tours and presentations as part of the Pae ʻĀina Statewide Sail. The crew departed Māʻalaea early Friday morning and arrived in Kahoʻolawe later that day.

US Sen. Brian Schatz released a statement today, building on President Joe Biden’s formal apology for the federal government’s former Indian Boarding School policies, which he delivered in a speech on Friday.

Motorists are advised that eastbound and westbound lanes of Kaʻahumanu Ave. between Kāne St. and Lono Ave. will be impacted by water line work for the Maui Palms Hampton Inn project on Thursday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 1.

The Mexican Consulate tentatively plans to set up shop at Maui Economic Opportunity once again but requires 150 appointments to confirm the dates.

Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort hosts the return of the Hula O Nā Keiki children’s hula competition on Nov. 8 and 9, 2024. Organizers say this event marks an important milestone in Maui’s recovery, serving as a symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of the island. 

The workshop, “Social Media Marketing Strategy for Recruiting Volunteers for the Holidays,” will be held via Zoom from 9 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2024.

While many teenagers spent their fall break relaxing, 20 high school students from Keaʻau, Waiākea, Kamehameha Schools-Hawaiʻi, Hilo, and Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki chose to immerse themselves in learning about civics and the legal system. These students were selected to participate in the first Hilo Law & Justice Academy at Hale Kaulike (Hilo courthouse), an intensive three-day program that culminated in a mock trial exercise.

To further expand housing options in West Maui for wildfire survivors, FEMA is working with Maui County and Lahaina property owners to place Alternative Transportable Temporary Housing Units on secondary private properties. These properties will house individuals and families who were displaced by the August 2023 wildfires. The property must allow for the placement of two or more temporary units. Properties must be within the West Maui area.

Hawaiian Airlines commemorated 40 years of service connecting Honolulu and Pago Pago in America Samoa on Thursday. Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated flights to Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa on Oct. 24, 1984, with DC-8 aircraft, starting its long relationship with the US territory.

In partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is offering emergency rental and utility assistance to Native Hawaiian families financially impacted by the wildfires on Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

The 11th Annual Hawaiian Airlines Made In Maui County Festival, Maui’s premier showcase of local products, announced its entertainment lineup. This event, taking place on Nov. 1 and 2, 2024 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, will feature live performances from several Maui musicians.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, in conjunction with the University of Hawai‘i and County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development, invites the Maui community to Kinipōpō Hīna‘i ma Pukalani, ‘Bows vs. Silverswords, to be held on Nov. 1 and 2 on Maui. The two-day event will feature men’s and women’s exhibition basketball games and a clinic for Maui keiki in grades four to six.

Thursday’s brush fire in Piʻihana burned 4.6 acres before it was 100% contained at 5 p.m. Crews remained on scene overnight to continue mop-up and address any flare-ups. The area received light trade showers overnight and this morning. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area throughout the day today. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a Stop Work Order for the Individual Wastewater System project at 4400 Oneone Road, which uncovered multiple human burials . This decision comes after persistent advocacy from the local community, cultural descendants, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to protect iwi kūpuna (ancestral remains) and ensure the integrity of cultural and environmental resources in the area.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory for the East facing shores of Maui, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu until 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch reports that gas prices are experiencing a slight decline in most cities. The statewide average price for regular unleaded is $4.59, which is one cent less than last week and 18 cents lower than a year ago. The national average gas price is $3.15, which is four cents less than last week. 

The Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the Kaheawa Wind 1 Continued Use Project has been published and is now accepting public review and comment through Nov. 22.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has identified a new travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, bringing the number of total cases to 13 identified in the state in 2024 (one on Kauaʻi, three on Maui, nine on Oʻahu). The individual traveled to a region where dengue is known to be spread.