Maui News

As migratory birds begin their seasonal return to Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity are reminding residents, particularly people who keep backyard poultry or other birds, to take precautions to reduce the risk of avian influenza and other infectious diseases.

Gov. Josh Green announced that the Department of the Navy is initiating the process to return nearly 44 acres of federal property to the state of Hawaiʻi. The proposed transfers include a 31.693-acre parcel at Kalaeloa and the Marine Corps’ 12-acre Molokaʻi Training Support Facility at Hoʻolehua.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, warehouse workers observed an opossum within their container staging area. The workers initially contacted the US Department of Agriculture, which subsequently notified the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Plant Quarantine Branch in Hilo.

Lāna‘i Air, operated by Western Aircraft, Inc., launched a new route connecting Moloka‘i and O‘ahu. The expanded service between Moloka‘i Airport (MKK) in Ho‘olehua and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu includes four daily flights serviced by a Cessna SkyCourier, a twin engine turboprop airplane with a spacious cabin that seats 19 passengers.

An estimated 6 million cubic yards of lava erupted and covered about 40% to 50% of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor; An abrupt switch from deflation to inflation at the summit coincided with the end of Episode 53 fountaining, indicating another lava fountaining episode is likely.

Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles from the center.

Chief John Pelletier emphasized a “zero tolerance” approach to the incident, initiating both internal and external audits in an effort to restore public trust. The external review will be conducted by Hawaiʻi County Police Chief Reed K. Mahuna to ensure transparency and objectivity.

Maui OnStage announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of “ʻAinakea,” an original play by Maui-based playwright James Nevius. The production will take the stage at the Historic ʻĪao Theater this October.

County of Maui officials are encouraging residents to prepare ahead of a potential tropical storm that is expected to strengthen before approaching the Hawaiian Islands as early as Friday night.

Hawaiian Electric is urging customers across Hawaiʻi, including Maui County, to prepare for a storm forecasters say could affect the islands as early as Saturday.

Condominium sales in Maui County continued to strengthen in July while single-family home sales cooled compared to a year earlier, according to data released by the Realtors Association of Maui.

“Item D-7 does not ask BLNR to award a 30-year water license to Mahi Pono. The item asks BLNR to authorize a public auction for a water license for certain government surface waters in East Maui,” according to DLNR.

After more than 17 years of planning, the proposed Haʻikū Fire Station has hit a legal stumbling block significant enough for council members to seek legal advice in a closed executive session and delay further consideration for two weeks.

Maui County Council members unanimously adopted Tuesday two resolutions approving special events permits for the 2026 Maui County Fair and the Aloha Classic Windsurfing Tournament.

The Maui Economic Recovery Commission, Healing Journey Team welcomes the community back for Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays, a monthly gathering dedicated to healing, connection, and strengthening the resilience of Lahaina.

There is no tsunami expected following a 5.1 earthquake reported at the Loihi Seamount, south of the Big Island. The quake occurred at 5:49 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Women’s Round One has been called ON at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Stop No. 7 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). After three days saw the completion of the men’s first two rounds, the world’s best women will get their shot at Teahupo’o at this year’s event.

Kamaʻole Beach Park II, including restrooms, reopened today, Aug. 11, 2026, along with the adjacent section of South Kīhei Road that closed after damages from a Kona Low storm in March, according to the County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, in collaboration with Aloha House, CARE Hawaiʻi, Inc., Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center, Pacific Counseling Group, LLC and Project Vision Hawaiʻi, has launched Project Hoʻoulu — The Hawaiʻi Resiliency Project, to support children, youth and adults affected by the recent Kona Low floods on Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Lānaʻi.

Hawaiian Electric customers continued to add rooftop solar systems at a solid pace through the first six months of 2026 despite the loss of the federal clean energy tax credit at the start of the year, the company announced.