Maui News

A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was reported at 10:42 this morning offshore of the Kalapana Region of the Kilauea volcano.  The warning center out of Ewa Beach HI said there is no tsunami expected and no action is required.  Again, that quake was centered offshore of Kalapana at about 10:42 this morning. (Posted  by Wendy Osher […]

Hookipa Beach Park Re-Opened Following Shark Sighting (Updated:  2:36 p.m. 2/22/10) At 1:30 p.m. today, County Ocean Safety officials re-opened shoreline waters off Hookipa Beach Park on the North Shore of Maui. The area was closed just after 11:30 a.m. following a shark sighting approximately 150 yards from the surf break. No injuries were reported. […]

By Wendy Osher The Maui Fire Department added 13 new firefighters to their ranks today.  Members of the 27th recruit class graduated in a ceremony held at the Grand Wailea Resort. A total of four recruit training awards were issued today based on written and functional skills course examinations, evaluations, and final examinations. Earning honors […]

U.S. Coast Guard crews searched throughout the night for a snorkeler who went missing in Maui waters Thursday.  The 20-year-old visitor was snorkeling alone in waters off the Aston Kaanapali resort at 11:30 a.m.  The search for Bryce Esler yesterday included efforts from a helicopter crew out of Air Station Barbers Point, a boat crew from […]

Maui Community College has a new name.  MCC drops its Community College Status and becomes the University of Hawaii Maui College. The name change was approved by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents during their monthly meeting held today on Oahu.  The change was proposed to accurately represent the college’s programs and services that […]

The Maui Police Department today announced the promotion of Detective Jeraul Pladera to the rank of Lieutenant.  Pladera is a 17-year police veteran, most recently serving with the Wailuku Criminal Investigation Division. Pladera began his career with the Kauai Police Department before transferring to the MPD in August of 1994.  He was assigned to the […]

A construction program based in Hana, Maui was awarded one of three Innovation Awards presented by Governor Linda Lingle this month.  The Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike or “In Working, One Learns” training program was established 10 years ago to help at-risk students in Hana acquire construction trade skills. Students have helped build kupuna cottages […]

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to attend an information meeting at 5 p.m., on Tuesday February 23, 2010 to discuss the planning document and environmental assessment that will be prepared for the ferry loading dock improvements at the Manele small boat harbor on Lana‘i. The meeting will be held […]

By Wendy Osher An autopsy will be performed later today (Thursday, February 18, 2010) on a body recovered from Iao Valley Wednesday afternoon. Preliminary identification of the victim was made based upon a driver’s license found nearby.  Authorities the autopsy will be used to confirm identity and should reveal circumstances surrounding the death. Lt. John […]

A Special Weather Statement was issued today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, following a number of water rescues in Maui County. The Maui Police Department reported a drowning and several rescues resulting from adverse wind, wave and water conditions. At 11:56 a.m., Lahaina Patrol Officers were aassigned to a possible ocean rescue as two people were […]

By Wendy Osher Some familiar names have surfaced on the campaign trail as election season gets underway on Maui.  While as many as 20 people had pulled papers, only two had filed for candidacy so far, according to the last candidate report issued Thursday, February 11, 2010 by the State Office of Elections. Board of […]

Posted by Wendy Osher [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZusWmlG-c9w[/youtube] Maui Media toured the new Whole Foods Market in Kahului today that will become the chain’s first Maui store when it officially opens on February 24th.  The 26,366 square-foot store will offer an array of natural and organic health and body care products.  The inventory includes products from 44 local […]

By Wendy Osher Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will testify today before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance at the State Capitol.  Tavares is expected to comment on House Bill 2598 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax or TAT- which proposes to suspend the distribution of revenues to the counties.  The three year suspension, if approved, […]

By Wendy Osher The County of Maui is demanding a jury trial in a lawsuit it filed last week against Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. The county claims it was stranded with $44.2 million in debt instruments when the firm abandoned its practice of supporting auctions for the SLARS or Student Loan Auction […]

Hawaiian Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approvals to introduce nonstop flights between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport. If approved, the new service would provide twice-daily flights starting in late October. The flight schedule is designed to meet the needs of travelers originating from the Tokyo area, with […]

The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui meets today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 5 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center.  Guest speakers will include: Anna Mae Shishido, Maui port supervisor, Plant Quarantine Branch, Department of Agriculture, will speak on the agricultural inspection services on Maui. Warren Watanabe, president of the […]

Maui County began work today on a sidewalk installation project on Kea Street in Kahului.  The new sidewalk is being installed on Kea Street between Holua Street and Papa Avenue. The contract was awarded to Zoe Builders and is expected to be completed by February 26, 2010, barring any weather delays. Work will run from […]

The 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational basketball tournament hosted by Chaminade University, generated an estimated $6 million in visitor spending and revenue for Maui businesses.  According to the latest data released by the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, the tournament welcomed thousands of out-of-state visitors, each spending an average of six days on Maui. Since its inception, […]

ESPN today announced it will air the season opening game of USC at Hawaii on Thursday, September 2nd.  The game was included on the network’s 2010 college football schedule, and is also posted on the USC athletic department website.  The game time has not yet been announced. (Placeholder image courtesy University of Hawaii Athletic Department)

A Forum on the Akaka Bill will be held tonight, Tuesday, February 16, 2010, with speakers presenting both sides of the debate.  The bill was crafted to establish a process for Native Hawaiians to gain federal recognition. Speakers in support include Boyd Mossman, Robin Danner, and Blossom Feiteira; those against include Kaleikoa Ka’eo, Henry Noa […]