Maui News

The heavy rains yesterday afternoon swept a cottage off its foundation on Kaluanui Road in Makawao, stranded vehicles in Upcountry Maui, and resulted in evacuations of eight homes at Maliko Gulch.

A Flash Flood Watch, however, remains in effect tonight and Saturday for the islands of Maui and the Big Island of Hawai’i.

At this time, the Red Cross emergency shelter that was open over night at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center has since been closed, and residents have returned to their homes.

An unoccupied cottage located at 355 Kaluanui Road was washed away by the heavy rains, among other incidents during the floods.

Police say the men, ages 25 and 28, are believed to have been involved with the incident. As of Thursday afternoon, no charges were filed, and the investigation was still ongoing.

Water customers in Upcountry, Maui are being urged to conserve water following a waterline break caused by heavy rains earlier today. Jacky Takakura, Administrative Officer for the Maui Department of Water Supply said the 12-inch waterline washed out during the heavy rains in the area.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross on Maui plan to open a shelter tonight at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center for Maui residents displaced by floods and heavy rains. The shelter will open up at 8:15 p.m. for those who had to leave their homes due to flooding, and to motorists who could not make it home due to the closed roads.

A Flood Warning for the island of Maui has been extended until midnight as heavy rain continues to affect Upcountry and East Maui. At 8:42 p.m., radar continued to show heavy showers along the windward slopes of Haleakala.

It is one of four facilities and programs at the University of Hawai’i that are being renamed in honor of the late US Senator.

The County of Maui is offering a six-week health workshop to help residents manage chronic conditions, and improve overall wellness.

An area of moisture moving towards the islands from the east is expected to produce heavy showers and possible thunderstorms over Maui and the Big Island through Friday night.

Fireweed plants have taken over more than 850,000 acres of pastureland, mainly on Maui and Hawaii Island. The biocontrol effort to control the invasive and toxic fireweed plant is expected expand to Maui in the coming weeks following monitoring efforts on the Big Island.

Supporters of the measure say it would make renewable energy accessible and affordable to renters and low-income residents.

During her Maui visit, Senator Hirono will discuss immigration reform legislation during a roundtable discussion with Filipino, Hispanic and Tongan community leaders. The event takes place at 12:30 p.m. at the ILWU Hall in Wailuku.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard attended several events on Maui as part of a week long visit to the 2nd Congressional District.

The woman was visiting the park on a group retreat when she got separated, disoriented, and mistakenly hiked deeper into the valley when she thought she was walking out. When darkness set in, authorities said she texted her group that she was lost and rescue crews were dispatched to assist.

Firefighters from Wailuku and a rescue crew from Kahului responded to the scene where the man had slipped on the muddy path, injured his knee, and was unable to walk out on his own, authorities said.

Among the key items that were raised during the address were the mayor’s request for the council to approve a 5% across-the-board rate hike in water fees for Maui County.

A Makawao man is accused of using an envelope opener to slit the victim’s neck during a holiday gathering at an apartment complex on Wainee Street.

Over the past three years, this event has removed more than 2,056 tires, 1,410 appliances, and 1,628 vehicle batteries from the Hana community for recycling.