Maui News

The Old Wailuku Post Office, described as a “money pit” by Mayor Alan Arakawa, sat vacant for several administrations. Now, plans are being considered for a nine story structure in its place.

Maui’s Budget and Finance Committee today will consider a bill to appropriate $6.5 million for the acquisition and preservation of more than 186 acres at Launiupoko in West Maui.

According to store officials, every donation received helps to feed one in seven people in Hawaii – that’s more than 14% of the state’s population who turn to a food bank for assistance.

“Like us he is committed to developing clean renewable sources of energy for the community, wants to strengthen the visitor industry and improve local infrastructure and the overall quality of life for the people there.”

The governor today announced the release of $50 million for a portion of the Kahului Airport Access Road on Maui, and $600,000 for the demolition and relocation of the Kahului Harbor District Office.

The advisory includes Manele, Lanai City, Kahului, Haleakala National Park above the 6,000 foot elevation, South Point, Pahala, Hilo, Volcano, Honokaa, Kamuela, and Waikoloa.

The peak for the whalewatch season is yet to come, according to data compiled by the Pacific Whale Foundation. The largest number of sightings on Saturday was at Pu’u Olai where 327 whales were counted, including 15 calves.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which is seeking approval for the proposed designation, will make a presentation before the council’s Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee during a meeting set to start at 9 a.m.

A 59-year-old woman from Calgary, Canada was rescued from the Halawa Valley Trail on Molokai after slipping and suffering from a broken ankle, officials said.

“It’s been an incredible transition,” said US Senator Brian Schatz after his first eight weeks at the US Capitol. Schatz was on Maui today for several events that included the official dedication of the Auwahi Wind Farm at Ulupalakua.

A blessing ceremony was held today, marking the completion of the 21-megawatt Auwahi wind farm in Ulupalakua. The project’s eight wind turbines are capable of generating enough electricity to power 10,000 local homes.

Richard L.K. Vance, 25, and Michael Santino Sobel, 28, were both charged with first degree robbery and terroristic threatening, as well as kidnapping. They were being held in lieu of $105,000 each.

Authorities say the male individual captured in the attached surveillance photos was observed entering the back door at Pacific Whale Foundation and removing a wallet with contents and a cell phone from an employee’s purse.

The awards stem from two separate incidents involving rescues from burning homes in Kahului and Lahaina. Individuals honored include: Officer Jun Hattori, Officer Erik Losvar, Officer Gershom Slonim, Officer Randy Takayama , Officer Darryl Honda, Sergeant Kimberly Masse; Officer Clement Antonio; Officer Mathew Brown; and Officer Robert Corpuz.

A 42-year-old Makawao man returned to his white Ford truck after shopping at Costco to find a man and woman in the front seat of his truck, rummaging through the vehicle.

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.