Maui News

Governor Neil Abercrombie returns to Hawai’i on Thursday (Oct. 20, 2011) after nearly two-weeks in Asia, where he participated in meetings aimed at strengthening relationships in Tokyo, Okinawa, and Beijing.

The commission already made tentative decisions to propose three items including two election-related proposals. The proposals that are finalized will go before voters in the 2012 election. The next meeting is on Monday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Wailuku.

Rep. Hirono then travels to the Valley Isle for two gatherings on Saturday, October 22. The first stop will be at the Alii Kula Lavender Farm for a 2 p.m. Lavender Tea Time event; followed by 4:30 p.m. Coffee Talk at Da Kitchen Cafe in Kahului.

There is no tsunami expected following a preliminary magnitude 4.3 earthquake (according to the USGS) off the Waikoloa region of the Big Island of Hawai’i.

The state Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to solicit public input on a Kahului Airport Master Plan Update and Noise Compatibility Program.

A fire in Makawao yesterday morning burned two acres of brush and damaged a shed on the property. Officials say firefighters had difficulty accessing the area, but were able to extinguish the fire by around 3 p.m.

Central and South Maui residents can catch a shuttle bus to the Halloween in Lahaina festivities. Organizers of the “Halloween In Lahaina- Back on Front” event are offering the Lahiana Halloween Express at a cost of $3 each way.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion stated that while the plaintiffs have alleged constitutional violations, the officer Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity because the law was not clearly established at the time of the incidents.

A Maui Marine is among the contestants featured in a new reality show, Maximum Warrior. US Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant “Mike S.”, is originally from Maui, and currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA.

Former governor Linda Lingle said she wants to become America’s point person for tourism, if elected to the US Senate in 2012–that’s one of the issues that surfaced during her speaking engagement on Monday (October 17) with the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

After receiving his recognition as Jurist of the Year, Judge Raffetto joined Chief Justice Recktenwald in issuing meritorious and years of service awards to other court employees.

The Maui town party schedule starting November 4th will be as follows: Wailuku – First Friday, Lahaina – Second Friday, Makawao – Third Friday, Paia – Fourth Friday.

During this morning’s talk story session, Lingle discussed frauds and scams that target the elderly. Lingle also vowed not to change Social Security for those that currently receive the program benefits.

The Department of Defense today confirmed the death of a soldier from Schofield Barracks, Hawai’i. Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor, 25, of Hurst, Texas, died Oct. 13, in the Kunar province of Afghanistan.

Since 2005,the County of Maui has required ocean thrill craft operators to to complete a certification class offered by an accredited institution of higher education. The County of Maui has announced the availability of two classes, being offered here on Maui next month at UHMC.

The group was established in 1991 to protect an estimated 100,000 acres along the windward slopes in East Maui.

On Sunday, October 16 from 9 a.m. until noon, activist group Millions Against Monsanto Hawaii converged near the intersection of Kanani Road and Pi’ilani Highway in front of Monsanto offices in Kihei.

A group of about 25 to 30 signwavers lined Ka’ahumanu Avenue in front of the Old Kahului Shopping Center on Sunday in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement, against what demonstrators called corporate greed and government cutbacks.

Maui police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a vehicle and driver that fled the scene of a fatal collision early this morning with pedestrian near Launiupoko. Maui police say 19-year-old Failagi Vite Laloulu of Kahului died at the scene as a result of the crash.

The fire was reported at 3:15 a.m. on Holowai Place at a 900 square foot house. Crews from the Maui Fire Department had the blaze fully under control by 3:33 a.m.