Maui News

Ten schools have been selected to participate in the statewide Shade Trees for Schools program, a joint effort of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education.

US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor about last month’s kona low storms which produced continuous flooding and resulted in widespread damage across Hawai‘i.

Jared Appleby and Melissa Magonigle joined the Maui Economic Opportunity executive leadership team in April as Chief Fiscal Officer and Human Resources Director, respectively.

The department was recently alerted that Iqbal Khowaja is allegedly presenting himself as the “CTO of the State of Hawaiʻi” at the Bitcoin 2026 conference underway in Las Vegas and has made similar claims in prior conference appearances and on social media profiles, according to the state.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate has confirmed Gov. Josh Green’s reappointment of current Board Chair Jayson M. Watts to the board of directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, along with the appointments of David Hinazumi and Joshua Uyehara. The confirmations ensure leadership continuity for the agency responsible for managing the state’s most critical agricultural land and water infrastructure.

The final version of income tax measure maintains tax cuts passed in 2024 for joint filers earning less than $350,000, heads of household less than $262,500 and single filers less than $175,000, preserving critical financial relief for Hawaiʻi’s working and middle-income households.

In response to the recent kona low storms that impacted communities across the state, Hawaiʻi Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, is launching an Appliance Replacement Program to help residents replace damaged household appliances with new energy-efficient models.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife recently discovered roughly 200 rubber tires dumped on the Puʻu ʻŌhiʻa Trail in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. 

The Hawaiʻi State Senate will honor the life and service of former Congresswoman and Senate President Colleen Wakako Hanabusa on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Senate Chamber at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.  

A section of Piʻilani Highway in Kaupō will be closed to all traffic — except for emergency vehicles — from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, 2026, for repairs project roadwork, according to County of Maui Department of Public Works.

US Rep. Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) introduced the Farmland for Farmers Act, legislation to curb the rise in corporate ownership of agricultural land and keep farmland in the hands of farmers. US Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) has introduced companion legislation.  

Spectators for the inaugural Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Surfing State Championships (HHSAA) will only be allowed to access Ho’okipa Beach Park via free HHSAA event shuttles from the parking lot off Holomua Road on Friday and Saturday, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced.

Roots School was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Atherton Family Foundation to further strengthen its English Language Arts program. This funding will enhance early literacy instruction in the classroom and expand targeted, in-school support for students who need it most.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua announced the appointment of Courtney Conching as Director of Group Sales. With over a decade of expertise in the luxury hospitality sector, Conching will spearhead the resort’s efforts to drive high-impact group business through a unique lens of authentic Hawaiian culture and world-class sales expertise.

Beginning today, ʻOhana Rewards Members will earn a minimum of 1,000 Rapid Rewards points for every one-way interisland flight, paired with an ability to purchase one-way interisland flights for as few as 4,000 Rapid Rewards points—this means Members earn enough points to redeem a one-way interisland flight after four one-way interisland flights flown.

Tofu poke, prepared fresh in school cafeterias, featured tofu mixed with green onions and onions, tossed in a Hawaiian-style sauce of shoyu, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Although the recent severe weather impacted the availability of local produce across the state, schools were encouraged to incorporate locally grown vegetables, if available, as part of the Department’s broader farm-to-school initiative.

Maui’s 2026 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a is set for Saturday, June 20, 2026, and the community is invited to take part in the annual celebration. The festivities return to Central Maui, with a parade along Kaʻahumanu Avenue followed by a hoʻolauleʻa at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.

The University of Hawaiʻi has launched a new office that will serve as a central hub for grant support, research development and funding opportunities to help boost scientific discovery, increase research capacity and stimulate workforce development in the state.

A delegation from the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Kamehameha Schools recently concluded a 10-day cultural exchange and planning visit across Taiwan, advancing relationships, educational partnerships, and logistical preparations for the anticipated arrival of the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in spring 2027 as part of the Moananuiākea Voyage.ultural exchange and planning visit across Taiwan, advancing relationships, educational partnerships, and logistical preparations for the anticipated arrival of the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in spring 2027 as part of the Moananuiākea Voyage.

Update: Kaʻahumanu East bound lanes are now open. There is no right turn onto Kaʻahumanu from Puʻunēnē Avenue. The right lane is closed fronting Maui Mall and there is no left turn into Maui Mall for Wailuku bound traffic.