Maui News

The County’s Emergency Management Agency is reminding the community that April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi, an opportunity for people to prepare, protect their property and safeguard loved ones by understanding tsunami risks and taking practical preparedness steps.

Hawaiian Electric customers should prepare for potential increases in energy costs in the coming months, driven by rising global oil prices linked to escalating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to a company press release.

Kanu Hawaiʻi is urging businesses, community groups, and individuals statewide to take proactive steps now to prepare for Volunteer Month in April.

Grants of up to $300,000 are now available for high-impact, shovel-ready projects that reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildfire safety in areas where communities and natural landscapes meet. The Fiscal Year 2026–2027 grant round will provide $1.5 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects statewide.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education has announced graduation ceremony dates, times and locations for the Class of 2026. A list of statewide commencement celebrations is included below.

Maui Food Bank today announced that CEO Lisa Paulson will transition from her role effective April 15, 2026, as she prepares to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area to pursue opportunities focused on national advocacy.

Central Maui Rep. Tyson Miyake is tracking several key measures moving through the State Capitol, including expanded medical benefits for firefighters and new incentives to bolster affordable housing production statewide. As the Legislature moves past the crossover deadline, bills are now transitioning to their final committees in the opposite chamber for review. Among the high-priority […]

The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources approved recommendations from the Legacy Land Conservation Commission and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife to award up to $7 million in state grants for five conservation projects across Maui and Molokaʻi.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

In response to the March 2026 kona storms, the County of Maui is providing free hauling and disposal of storm-damaged appliances for Molokaʻi residents, according to the County Department of Environmental Management, Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division.

A probationary employee of the Maui Police Department was arrested on suspicion of second, third and fourth degree sexual assault, while off duty, police said.  The 26-year-old Makawao man was taken into custody on Monday, March 30, 2026, following allegations of sexual abuse and remains detained. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointments of two judges to the Circuit Courts of the Second and Fifth Circuits, following nominations from the Judicial Selection Commission. Annalisa M. Bernard Lee has been appointed to a judgeship with the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui).

Zolten Poulsen paced Maui Prep to their third straight boy’s win, while Maui Christian won the girl’s title behind Lila Sloan at the third Maui Interscholastic League surf contest, Saturday at Kokī Beach in Hāna.

Starting Tuesday, March 31, staff from the office of US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will be at the Waialua District Park gymnasium on Oʻahu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Arts advocate Barry Kawakami will discuss “Rebuilding Lahaina through the Power of the Performing Arts” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 7 during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting. The event will be preceded by a meet-and-greet event at 5 p.m. “Drawing from his personal journey and the work of the […]

New marine mammal surveillance revolutionizes the response to mass stranding events by allowing immediate, on-site detection.

The County of Maui Department of Housing is requesting applications from qualified nonprofit organizations for eligible projects under the Experimental and Demonstration Housing Projects Fund to develop select County-owned land. A pre-bid meeting will be held online Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 10 a.m.

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s award-winning Culinary Arts Program is offering a series of five “just for fun,” hands-on cooking classes, beginning on Saturday, April 11.

Ongoing, long-term DPR closures due to severe damage include Kula Gym in Upcountry, Ukumehame Firing Range in West Maui, Kalepolepo Park and Kamaʻole Beach Park II in South Maui and Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in Central Maui.

Aloha House staff, board members and supporters came together on March 24 for a blessing ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Maui Counseling Group offices at the Wākea Gardens office complex in Kahului. The blessing ceremony was conducted by Kahu Wayne Higa of Kaʻahumanu Church.