Maui News

Scientists say the high elevation of forested landscapes along Molokai’s north shore, provides plant material that enters the ocean via river valleys and piles on submarine canyon floors. The material, in turn supports the number and diversity of marine fish, according to scientists.

The Maui Policy Committee today recommended the disapproval of two nominees–Ralph Black, and James Clemens–to the Lanai Planning Commission.

The measure, introduced by Rep. Mele Carroll of Maui would require assessments administered to immersion students in grades 3-6 to be developed originally in the Hawaiian language.

A new report shows that 1,105,606 visitors in 2010 spent nearly $75 million in Haleakalā National Park and in surrounding communities. That spending, Park officials say, supported 861 jobs in the local area.

The Maui group, led by Sensei Tokie Sidney, will showcase their winning mikoshi design at the 18th Annual Honolulu Festival, taking place this weekend.

The loss of power occurred at around 7 a.m., when a vehicle struck a pole in the area. Students at Lahainaluna HS were released at 10 a.m. because of the outage.

A Senate committee will discuss strategies today at returning inmates to Hawaii from mainland prisons. The presentation will be led by the state Department of Public Safety and members of the Abercrombie Administration.

Four bills relating to the idea surface for discussion on Wednesday before the House Committee on Finance. The measures generate discussion on how Hawaii can best use state tax revenue that is currently deposited in private banks.

Wailuku attorney, Tony Takitani is among the nine-member Judicial Selection Commission that will be tasked with filling the US District Court seat being vacated by the retirement of Judge David Ezra in June.

“It is almost like a final closure for the family. We have the proper recognition, we have the proper head stone, and I believe we can put this to rest finally from our family’s point of view.”

A proposal that seeks to place a 10 p.m. limit on music, entertainment and dancing at the Kihei Kalama Village complex is drawing heavy discussion.

The fire was first reported at 7:38 p.m. at a 750 square-foot cottage located at the back of a residence at 502 South Kamehameha Avenue. The individual was transported by Medic-1 from the scene with burns to his left arm, left leg, and some facial injuries.

The largest number of sightings was at Pu’u Olai were 232 whales were counted, (33 of them claves); followed by Papawai Point (the scenic lookout on the Honoapiilani Highway) with 189 whales; and Ma’alaea with 167 whales. The 2012 tally, was 34% less than the 1,607 whales counted in 2011.

Officials with Maui Electric Company say the outage is affecting areas of Haiku bounded by Haiku Road, Maliko Gulch, Haiku Hills Subdivision, Pauwela Road, Hana Highway, Kalanikahua Road, and lateral streets.

A female visitor from Vancouver, BC, was Medevaced from Honolua Bay after running into trouble while snorkeling on Saturday afternoon. Authorities say the woman was involved in a near-drowning incident

Maui police are investigating the suspected involvement of speed and drugs as contributing factors in an early morning head-on collision on the Honoapiilani Highway that left two Lahaina women hospitalized in critical condition.

Scientists say it’s likely that high rates of seismicity could continue for several days. Officials say the earthquake swarm has not caused any obvious changes in Kilauea’s magma plumbing system or ongoing eruptions; but that the magnitude 4.3 quake did cause a small rockfall in the active vent located within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kilauea.

Hokama said he appreciated the mayor’s recap of his administration’s accomplishments over the past year and is encouraged by some of the initiatives that the mayor plans to put forth in the upcoming budget.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa urged legislative support from lawmakers while addressing a standing room only crowd in the Council Chambers today. During his 2012 State of the County Address, the mayor called on lawmakers to back a bill that addresses infrastructure tax credits and production credits to support the establishment of a film industry on Maui.

The incidents included four burglaries in Haiku, two incidents in Haliimaile, and one incident each in Kaanapali, Kahului, Makawao, Pukalani, Waiehu and Wailuku.