Maui News
Hawaii selected as early launch site for 5-cent per mile Nissan LEAF
Hawaii has been selected as an early launch site for the Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle. As a selected launch state, the all-electric Nissan LEAF will be available to Hawaii consumers before the other locations. The initial U.S. launch is targeted for the early part of 2011. Nissan earlier announced that the LEAF would have a […]
Rapid Response Team activated to assist Hotel Hana Maui employees
(Posted by Wendy Osher) The Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has activated its Rapid Response Team to assist Hotel Hana Maui employees. Ohana Hotel Company sold the 70-room hotel to Amstar Group LLC, a Denver-based real estate investment and development company. The hotel is being managed by Amstar’s subsidiary, Green Tea LLC. Officials […]
92 jobs in Maui County attributed to stimulus funds
By Wendy Osher Federal stimulus funds are credited for creating more than 2,566 jobs in Hawaii in the first quarter of the year—that according to the clearinghouse that tracts the data. 442 of the jobs were created through federal stimulus contracts, with the remaining 2,124 jobs created through stimulus grant funding in the first quarter […]
Kahului School fire cash scam reported
The Department of Education is alerting residents of a scam in which false solicitations are being made for monetary donations to assist with the recent fire at Kahului School. Reports have been made by residents in the Kihei area who claim a male and female couple in their 30’s, along with a child, have been […]
Hawaii drivers pay $503 more annually in extra costs
Hawaii ranked seventh in a list of states that have the highest fraction of roads in poor or mediocre condition. The study released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group included data indicating that Honolulu motorists pay an extra $688 in operating costs annually due to rough road conditions. Statewide, that figure was $503 in […]
Siren and Emergency Alert System Test, May 3, 2010
The Civil Defense monthly test of the statewide outdoor siren warning system, coordinated with the test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2010, at 11:45 a.m. The Siren Test is a steady 45-second tone on all sirens. The steady tone is used to alert […]
Three Hawaii groups awarded federal funds for betterment of Native communities
Three Hawaii organizations were awarded a total of $737,047 in federal funds from the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. Recipients include Hawaii First FCU, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and the Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana. The funding is aimed at better addressing the community development and capital access needs of […]
$243,000 in grant funds stalled by unsigned contract
By Wendy Osher The council’s budget and finance committee spent time yesterday debating grant funding for the Wailuku Main Street Association/Tri–Isle Main St. Resource Center. Council member Michael Molina questioned reasons for repeated cuts noting a 10% cut in each of the last two fiscal years, and a proposed cut of 25% in FY2011. Budget […]
Wet weather expected over the weekend
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for Kauai, Niihau & Oahu from late Saturday night to Sunday evening. Heavy rainfall will increase the potential for flash flooding. An approaching cold front and associated upper trough will combine to increase the potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Precautionary/Preparedness actions: A flash flood […]
Citing safety, Budget Chair moves to partially restore several positions
By Wendy Osher The Budget and Finance Committee today reached consensus to restore funding in varying capacities for several positions that were proposed for cuts earlier this week. Budget Chair Joe Pontanilla said a number of positions were added back into the budget for varying reasons. “The most important reason was the safety of our […]
Maui Democratic Convention May 1
The Maui County Democratic party will hold their 2010 County Convention on Saturday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lihikai Elementary School Cafeteria in Kahului. Hawaii Civil Rights advocate Dr. Amy Agbayani, one of “Hawaii’s Living Treasures 2010” and Martin Luther King Peace Award winner will present the keynote address. The […]
Maui farmers seek restoration of funds
By Wendy Osher The council’s Budget and Finance Committee continues to fine tune details of their FY 2011 Budget. The majority of public testimony Wednesday morning focused on calls for restoration of funds for farming programs. In his testimony yesterday, Maui County Farm Bureau Executive Director Warren Watanabe said, “A proposal to take $50,000 away […]
Maui officers climb roofs for annual Cop on Top campaign
More than 33 law enforcement officers are camping atop Safeway stores statewide as they attempt to raise funds for Special Olympic athletes. Maui officers are stationed at stores in Kahului, Kihei and Lahaina. There are also 11 sites set up on Oahu, one on Kauai and two on Hawaii Island. Members at each store have […]
Makena Beach & Golf Resort foreclosure action May 28
The foreclosure sale of the Makena Beach & Golf Resort has been moved to May. A bidder is being sought for the 310-room hotel located on 1,800 acres in South Maui. The property is situated at Maluaka Beach and includes two 18-hole golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., three restaurants and bars, and […]
Hawaiian Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus
Hawaiian Airlines took delivery of its first new airbus during a ceremony at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France yesterday. The airline plans to integrate up to 27 new 294-seat airbus A330-200 planes into its fleet over the next decade under its long-range fleet renewal and expansion plan. “Today’s ceremony marks an important moment in […]
Planning Director Hunt resigns, Aoki named as replacement
Maui Planning Director Jeff Hunt resigned from his post, opting to return to his earlier position as West Maui Planner with the department’s Current Planning Division. Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares today named Kathleen Ross Aoki as Hunt’s replacement. Aoki most recently served as Deputy Director. The deputy position will be filled by currently Planning Division […]
Latest budget proposal calls for new fare on Loop & Villager routes
By Wendy Osher The Budget and Finance Committee today heard a proposal that adjusts the fare for passes on the Maui Bus and maintains the free service for riders that utilize the MEO bus. The proposal calls for a new $20 per month fare for passengers who use the Loop and Villager routes. Currently, there […]
Discrepancies over vacancy list prompt second look at proposed cuts
By Wendy Osher The council’s budget committee continues deliberations today (Wednesday, April 28, 2010) following several hours of testimony yesterday on the 2011 Budget. Department heads expressed concern over recently announced plans to cut an additional 60 positions that were reported as vacant by the Department of Personnel Services. Several of the departments sighted discrepancies […]
Johnson on Budget: “You can’t get blood out of a turnip… this is a pretty big vegetable we’re looking at”
“Nothing is easy and I can empathize with many of the decisions that we have to face. But I do appreciate what the administration is going through, but I also appreciate that you’re (Council Chair Joe Pontanilla) trying to look at the concerns of the general public, interpret that as well as what all nine […]
Victorino on Budget: The new norm is to do it with what you have, not with the futuristic borrowing and selling your soul for the future”
“I heard today a number of the departments defending their turf, and that’s fine, I understand. I’ve been through those kinds of exercises when I was in the business world—you come in and you justify your expenses, positions, expansions and deletions. They did a good job and I respect that. It’s our responsibility now to […]
