Maui News

On the Big Island Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death has killed or injured hundreds of thousands of trees. The ‘Ōhi‘a species is considered the most important endemic tree in the state, comprising approximately 80% of Hawai‘i’s native forests.

 “In the past we were limited to testing people who were exposed in China or people who were exposed to an existing case.  That’s now been expanded dramatically and we do expect a lot more testing to occur as a result,” said Dr. Bruce Anderson.

Times Pharmacy will be holding free one-on-one medication reconciliation sessions at the Maui Economic Opportunity Family Center in Wailuku on March 9 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

County of Maui departments and agency partners are continuing to meet regularly to discuss continuity of operations plans and emergency procedures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Project leaders plan to install the signs in June. 

According to Schatz, courts across the country often impose fines, fees, and monetary bail without considering an individual’s ability to pay – disproportionately impacting low income communities and communities of color.

The 26th Annual Honolulu Festival has been cancelled days before its scheduled start on Friday, due to coronavirus concerns. Foundation officials made the decision in response to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State of Hawaiʻi, and Japan’s government that precautions be taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including the cancellation or postponement of large gatherings of people.

Event organizers for the 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts & Culture or FESTPAC announced Monday that it will postpone the international event due to growing global concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak.

Alaska Airlines announced a $99 one-way fare sale taking place March 3 to March 5 for travel between Hawai‘i and California. The fare sale continues until 10 p.m. HST on March 5 and is good for travel between April 21, 2020 and May 20, 2020 for flights on Tues/Wed only on most of the airline’s HI-CA routes.

Eight visitors were airlifted to safety this evening after becoming stranded by rising waters at Makamakaʻole Gulch on Maui. Those rescued included three juveniles and one adult male from Oregon and a group of four (two men and two women) from Illinois.

Of the 90 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision, 83 are on O‘ahu, 5 are on Hawai‘i Island, 1 is on Maui, and 2 are on Kaua‘i. 

Update: 3:49 p.m., March 2, 2020: Kahekili Highway is temporarily closed at Makaʻala Street due to water and debris on the roadway. Work is estimated to take approximately four hours. Motorists are asked to please avoid the area if possible.

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced the closure of Kepaniwai Park due to flooding and unsafe conditions. Department of Public Works staff are clearing drainage areas along the roadway and taking other safety precautions. Public Works staff will continue cleanup efforts Tuesday morning, while DPR staff assess park conditions.

All water customers in the Pukalani area will have their water shut-off from approximately 9 p.m. on Thursday to 4 a.m. on Friday.  

Environmental non-profit organization Beyond Pesticides is working with government agencies statewide to promote organic landscaping without pesticides and fertilizers.

Pacific Media Group has acquired the Paradise Television Network in a transaction that took effect on March 1, 2020.

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued for the Island of Maui by the state Department of Health, Clean Water Branch. The department says heavy rain has resulted in stormwater runoff entering into coastal waters.

A total of 191 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.  

$2.15 Million Improvement Project Starts Today: The complex’s parking lot has not undergone any major repair work since it opened alongside the stadium in 1969.

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 Monday, March 2, 2020 at 11:45 a.m.