Maui News

An environmental court ruled Monday that the Maui County Department of Public Works violated state law by failing to conduct environmental review for a streetlights project that plaintiffs said “threatens harm to Maui’s imperiled seabirds and sea turtles.”

“My small business has been paying all my employees a minimum wage of $15 since October 2015. It means less money goes to my retirement, but it’s the right thing to do so my employees don’t have to work two or three jobs just to get by,” said Representative Tina Wildberger. “My heart breaks for the families who can’t afford to pay for their kids’ school lunches because the legislature hasn’t found a path to raise the minimum wage to keep up with the cost of living.”

Applications for fall semester scholarships must be submitted online by 4 p.m., on Monday, March 2.

Maui police responded to 8 burglaries, 6 vehicle thefts and 10 vehicle break-ins in Maui County last week.

The department is unable to carry out firefighting efforts by land or air due to concerns over unexploded ordnances that still exist on the island.

Qualified seniors will receive coupons to use at farmers’ markets throughout the island.

Drivers who need to become REAL ID compliant before the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline, got welcome news on Oʻahu this morning, as city officials announced a new process that will allow drivers to get a duplicate license online.  The announcement prompted a surge in online demand, resulting in the inability of customers to connect with or complete their applications.

During the first two months of this year, the Coast Guard has intercepted foreign ships fishing inside the US exclusive economic zone on two separate occasions.

Free Event ‘Ōlelo Jam on Saturday, Feb. 29.

The 39-state coalition is investigating JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth and claims regarding nicotine content.

Registration for certification programs now open.

A fire on Kahoʻolawe continues to burn into a fourth day, and has already blackened nearly 20% of the island, according to an update issued this morning by the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.

Utility work continues this weekend on Main Street near the Church Street intersection in Wailuku as part of the Wailuku Town Improvement project.

More than 180 notices of warning and 80 notices of violation were issued to illegal vacation rental operators in 2019.

International Superstar, Diana Ross has three Hawaiʻi concerts planned in May, two of them on Maui. The Mother’s Day celebrations include a May 9 show at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena; and two Maui shows–May 10 and 11 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

No travel restrictions are in place.

After conducting an aerial survey this morning, fire officials confirmed that a brush fire that ignited on Kahoʻolawe on Saturday has now scorched 5,400 acres. 

A team of international researchers determined the ecological risk factors affecting the prevalence of two coral diseases.

Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties in January 2020 with 265,400 unit nights, which is an increase of 27.2 percent compared to a year ago.

Applications available on March 1. Students will be selected through lottery.