Maui News
No containment in West Maui fire, Fire breaks established
(Update: 5:28 p.m. Tuesday 5/4/10) Firefighters remain on the scene of a blaze that has burned 1,100 acres since it was first reported on Monday afternoon. The fire was not yet contained as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters continue mop-up efforts along the Honoapiilani Highway and have set up a fire watch overnight. Aircraft are […]
Fire remains active, air support increased, road still open, structure spared
(Updated @ 11:46 a.m. by Wendy Osher) The Honoapiilani Highway is now open in both directions. The road was reopened shortly before 10 a.m. after being closed overnight because of an encroaching brush fire. Fire crews were able to establish a fire break this morning, allowing motorists to utilize the Honoapiilani Highway, which serves as […]
Red Cross Shelters Remain on Standby due to West Maui fire
Two American Red Cross emergency shelters remain on standby due to a brush fire in West Maui that remains active. Shelters were opened last night at the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku and later at the Lahaina Civic Center in West Maui. Three people who were evacuated from their homes spent the night at the […]
Honoapiilani Highway open, water drops continue
(Updated 10:05 a.m. 5/4/10 by Wendy Osher) The Honoapiilani Highway is now open in both directions. Motorists can expect a delay as traffic resumes its normal flow. The Road was open a couple of minutes before 10 a.m. It was closed overnight as crews battled an 1,100 acre brush fire that advanced to Olowalu overnight […]
Emergency ferry shuttle offered for those stranded by fire
By Wendy Osher The Pacific Whale foundation is offering an emergency ferry shuttle service for those stranded on either end of the island by the Ukumehame brush fire and subsequent Honoapiilani Highway Road closure. Greg Kaufman, the Executive Director of the Pacific Whale Foundation said the agency had offered the service in past emergencies to […]
Honoapiilani Hwy remains closed, burned area estimated at 1,100 acres
(Update by Wendy Osher at 6:30 a.m. 5/4/10) The Honoapiilani Highway remains closed between Maalaea and Launiupoko as crews continue to battle a fire that was first reported at around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. An assessment this morning determined the fire burned 1,100 acres and advanced overnight to Olowalu and is now near the main roadway. […]
Evacuations Ordered, Honoapiilani Highway Closed due to brush fire
(Update: 2/5 a.m. Tuesday 5/4/10) The Honoapiilani Highway is closed this morning as firefighters continue to battle a brush fire that scorched at least 100 acres since it was first reported Monday afternoon. The fire also forced the evacuation of an estimated 100 residents in the Olowalu area at about 1 o’clock this morning. The […]
Residents in Olowalu Subdivision issued Precautionary Warning due to Brush Fire
Posted by Wendy Osher (Update: 9:30 p.m. 5/3/10) Firefighters remain on the scene of a brush fire in Ukumehame / Olowalu that burned at least 100 acres since it was first reported at around 2:30 p.m. on Monday April 3, 2010. For safety reasons, all helicopter operations ended at nightfall. There are still no evacuations […]
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 […]
