Maui News

The Coast Guard received reports that an adult male humpback was entangled in fishing net from its head to tail, and was dragging two orange buoys.

Federal authorities today issued a natural disaster designation for Hawai’i County due to ongoing drought conditions. The designation clears the way for affected ranchers and farmers to apply for federal relief.

Discussion has resurfaced on plans to build a jail in Puunene on Maui–the latest version of which is led by the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Crews from the Maui Department of Water Supply are currently working to change a service lateral on Wili Pa Loop in Wailuku. The work has resulted in the closure of both lanes of Wili Pa Loop fronting the Maui County Federal Credit Union.

Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the release of the funds today saying the list of projects invest in Hawai’i’s local agriculture industry and upgrade the state’s water irrigation infrastructure.

A bill to ban alcohol at Kalama and Cove Parks in South Maui gained unanimous passage on second and final reading today.

At least one neighbor has aired concerns over herbicide use at sugar cane fields in Ku’au on Maui. HC&S responds to questions relating to health and company practices involving the controversial substance, atrazine.

Among those pulling papers were incumbent council members Mike Victorino of Wailuku, Bob Carrol of East Maui, and Don Couch of South Maui. Others pulling papers included Joe Blackburn for the council’s Wailuku residency seat, Alan Fukuyama for the Kahului seat, and Antonio Gimbernat for the US Senate.

A town hall meeting focusing on underage drinking prevention comes to Maui on February 8, 2012. The county is also looking for youth groups to coordinate and launch community projects in April, which is Alcohol Awareness month.

Maui District registration runs throughout the month of February from the 1st to the 29th. Kids who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2012, are eligible to enroll in regular kindergarten; while children who reach five years of age between August 2 and December 31 may enroll in junior kindergarten.

Stations will be set up to document oral histories as well as identify and document Hawaiian woven materials brought to the event. The Discovery Day takes place February 10, at the Kaunoa Senior Center.

The Kahului and Kapalua Airports on Maui will implement a parking rate increase for monthly passes: from $90 to $160, beginning on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

Several bills introduced by Maui lawmakers will be heard in respective House committees today including items relating to red light cameras, vehicle boot legislation, gaming on Hawaiian Home lands, and the House version of what has become known as the “Move Over” bill.

With an estimated 2,000 calls for service monthly, Kihei police are trying to meet increased demands. A new South Maui police station and a new bicycle patrol program are just two of the projects on the horizon. The items were discussed during the latest MPD Town Hall meeting in Kihei.

Senator Roz Baker of Maui, who introduced the Senate version of the bill said the efforts will improve cost efficiencies between the two organizations and provide better healthcare for Maui’s people.

The study would be aimed at identifying potential health effects of the x-ray radiation emitted by some of the scanning machines in airports. It would also give airline passengers a notice of the ability to choose another screening option.

Criminal investigators with the Hawaiʻi Police Department say the morning autopsy determined the victim died from a combination of ligature strangulation and a brain injury from a gunshot wound.

The GLA Maui Outlet center and Piilani Promenade are proposed for construction on land just north of the planned Kihei High School on the mauka side of the Piilani Highway near the Kaonoulu Street intersection.

Senate Bill 2663 was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz in the wake of recent traffic fatalities involving Honolulu police officers Garret Davis, and Eric Fontes.

Yamashita’s ties to Maui County include previous work as a hospital administrator for Sutter Health Systems in the expansion of its practice on the Island of Moloka’i.