Maui News

TV newsman Ron Mizutani, leaves broadcast news for a Senior VP post with Communications Pacific. With only the brief interruption in 2007-2008, Mizutani has been with KHON2 News since 1985.

Work begins on Tuesday, March 27, to clear the area and begin assessment for repairs.

The Liko A’e Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program at the University of Hawai’i Maui College is the recipient of a $430,000 grant issued by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Two state senate committees will hear a bill this afternoon seeking the designation of February as Olelo Hawaii Month to celebrate and encourage the use of the Hawaiian Language.

Hana High and Elementary School mathematics teacher, Mitzi Hasegawa was recognized by the Maui Senate Delegation for being named 2012 Maui School District Teach of the Year.

The Island of Tonga is preparing a state funeral to honor King George Tupou V who died on Sunday during a visit to Hong Kong. A national period of mourning is expected to last for three months.

Maui Mayor Arakawa will unveil his proposed budget for the 2013 Fiscal Year this Friday, March 23, during a presentation in the Council Chambers.

A traffic pattern has been established to accommodate two events happening this Friday in Wailuku. To reduce confusion, and ensure safety, the County of Maui will close the gate between the two gyms at the base of the hill on Halia Nakoa Street.

The event is designed to heighten awareness of hazardous driving practices, including speeding, driving distractions such as using a cell phone, and pedestrian safety while crossing the street. The fine for speeding in a school zone is $297.

A day after a double motorcycle fatality on Maui, a separate near-fatal motorcycle accident occurred last night in Kahului. The accident was reported at 9:37 p.m. at the Kane/Vevau Street intersection.

Aqua Hotels & Resorts will take over management of the 147-room Maui Beach Hotel on April 1, 2012.

State health officials will test students and faculty at Kapiolani Community College and Hawai’i Pacific University for tuberculosis due to possible exposure from a student being treated for active TB.

Heavy rains in East Maui earlier this month undermined the Hanawana Bridge, cutting off transit for an estimated 40 residents since March 9.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa’s next “County on Your Corner” will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Maui Swap Meet located on the University of Hawai`i Maui College campus in Kahului.

The trial of a man accused of murder in the death of a California woman on Maui last year was scheduled to start today, but was postponed to 8:30 a.m. on July 9, 2012.

Sixteen people on Maui have already pulled papers as they consider a run for public office in the upcoming 2012 election. The candidate filing deadline is 4:30 p.m. on June 5, 2012.

Maui police say Abel Ventura Jr., 58, and Marlene Debnam, 56, both of Maui, died at the scene. Both were part of a pack of over 50 motorcycles that were riding together as part of an organized St. Patrick’s motorcycle rally.

An early morning fire destroyed a structure on the lu’au grounds of the Maui Lu Resort in South Maui today. Damages included an estimated $40,000 in losses to the structure, and $5,000 in damage in to the contents.

One store clerk compared the craze to the rush for Tickle-me Elmo’s in the 90s and noted that the iPad accounts for 95% of the tablet market.

Big Island police have initiated a custodial interference case in connection with a nine-year-old boy who was taken in by a Puna family overnight after the child ran away from home on Wednesday, March 14, 2012.