Maui News
Brush Fire Near Pulehu Road Burns an Estimated Six Acres
A brush fire first reported at 12:54 p.m. Monday afternoon, February 15, 2010, near the Kula Agricultural Park north of Pulehu Road has burned an estimated 6 acres . No injuries are reported and no structures are reported damaged. Police closed Pulehu Road between Holopuni Road and Kulakula Road shortly before 2:00 p.m. Multiple fire […]
45 Youth Work on Kanaha Pond Restoration
By Wendy Osher Forty-five Youth Conservation Corps members will participate in a day of service on Monday, February 15, 2010 to restore Maui’s Kanaha Pond in Kahului. The group will work to remove invasive plants, plat native species, and remove a fence to improve accessibility for future restoration efforts. Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre wetland […]
Molina Seeks Extension for Affordable Housing Appropriation Through 2015
Posted by Wendy Osher Council Vice Chair Michael Molina is seeking a continued appropriation for affordable housing. Under a charter amendment approved four years ago, 2% of real property tax revenues go towards building and expansion of affordable housing opportunities for families within very low to moderate income levels. The current amendment expires after this […]
VIDEO: Tavares Issues Challenge on TAT in her State of the County Address
By Wendy Osher In her fourth State Of The County Address today, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares challenged the state administration and the Legislature to examine other sources of revenue before cutting the counties share of income from the hotel room tax. [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDRaZ3pm-UY /] “Taking away the TAT revenue from the counties breaks a promise […]
Census Jobs Available in Hana, Waiehu and on Molokai
By Wendy Osher Hawaii local census offices are hoping to hire more than 3000 temporary workers to assist in the effort of counting the state’s population for the 2010 Census. Officials say an estimated 300-400 people will be hired in Maui County. Temporary jobs of up to two months include census takers, enumerators and crew […]
Hawaiian Homes Gaming Bill Advances
A house committee this week advanced the Hawaiian Homes Casino bill with amendments. HB2759 would allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to construct and operate gaming facilities with the condition that revenues are reinvested into the community. Additionally, the bill requires that beneficiaries be consulted for approval of any plan before a proposed casino […]
Tax Return Delay Implemented to Save State Money
The State Department of Taxation will delay payment of tax refunds for 2009. The action to delay payment until July 1, 2010 is being taken to mitigate the state’s projected $721 million revenue shortfall. Tax officials say delaying the refunds will provide an estimated one-time savings of $275 million which will go towards balancing the […]
Large Swell Expected, High Surf Warning Issued
The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Warning for the North and West facing shores of Molokai and the North facing shores of Maui until 6 p.m. Thursday. A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous battering waves will pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming conditions and deadly rip currents. A […]
House Judiciary Hears Hawaiian Homes Casino Bill
The House Judiciary Committee this afternoon will hear bills relating to the legalization of gaming in Hawaii. The bill was introduced by Rep. Mele Carroll of Maui. HB2759 seeks establishment of casino gaming operations on designated Hawaiian Home Lands parcels. The measure would impose a wagering tax on gross receipts with 20% going towards the […]
Judge Orders Makena Beach & Golf Resort to be Sold at Auction
The Makena Beach and Golf Resort will be sold at auction under an order issued by a Maui Judge. Circuit Court Judge Shackley Raffetto appointed Honolulu real estate developer and broker Cris Lau as Commissioner to sell the property in an effort to satisfy the unpaid mortgage dept on the property. The marketing company for […]
Olowalu Cultural Reserve Among 35 Projects Receiving 2010 OHA Grants
Posted by Wendy Osher The Olowalu Cultural Reserve on Maui will get more than $44,000 in the latest round of grants announced today by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The money will be used for the reconstruction of the ahupua’a at Lihau, Olowalu. The project is aimed at perpetuating traditional and customary practices of Kanaka […]
Maui January Home Sales Down After 17 Month High
Posted by Wendy Osher Home sales on Maui dropped in January to 46 following December’s 17-month high of 90 homes sold. Officials at the Realtor’s Association of Maui say the results were possibly caused by sellers and buyers timing transactions to close in 2009 for tax reasons. Home prices also slipped slightly in January to […]
New Requirements Aimed at Protecting Sensitive Sites at Kealakekua Bay
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is implementing new measures to improve its management of the Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park and better protect the sensitive natural, historic and cultural resources of the area. To prevent damage to the shoreline and coral reef and accidental destruction of significant historic and cultural sites by […]
1,517 Acres of Maui Forest Considered for Inclusion in Natural Area Reserve
By Wendy Osher The Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing the designation of more than 15-hundred acres on Maui for inclusion in the State’s Natural Area Reserve System. The land is located in the Nakula region of Haleakala and includes a tract of Koa dominated forest that state officials say is rapidly disappearing […]
Maui to Use Stimulus Funds to Improve Energy Efficiency of County Facilities
The County of Maui is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to conduct investment grade energy audits using federal stimulus funds. Twelve county facilities, including fire stations, senior centers and a community center will be audited under the plan. The audit is expected to provide baseline energy data, physical condition of the buildings, and basis for […]
Wind Advisory Issued for Summit of Haleakala 2/8/10
The National Weather Service has continued a Wind Advisory for the Summit of Haleakala on Maui unit 6 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2010. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. The National Weather Service says high pressure building to the West and fading low pressure to the East will keep North […]
Hawaiian Homelands Casino Bill Introduced by Carroll of Maui
Representative Mele Carroll (House District-13th) of Maui, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Native Hawaiian Affairs, introduced a bill that, if passed, would give the Hawaiian Homes Commission the right to build and operate gaming facilities on Hawaiian Home Lands with the approval of the beneficiaries. HB 2759 specifies that 20% of revenue would go […]
Maui Teacher Faces Drug Charges
A Maui teacher is free on bail this morning after her arrest on drug charges on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. 47-year-old Cheryl Bisera was charged with various drug related offenses including 3rd degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and promotion of a controlled substance near a school. Maui police executed a […]
Wailuku Asked to Conserve Water
Department of Water Supply customers in Wailuku are asked to conserve water this weekend while the Waiale Tank is off-line for a tie-in project. Affected areas include Wailuku Heights, Waikapu, Kehalani (mauka of Honoapiilani Highway), Maui Tropical Plantation, Kahili Golf Course and King Kamehameha Golf Course. Conservation is requested from 9:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4, […]
A&B Net Income is Down Two-Thirds in 2009
Posted by Wendy Osher Earnings at Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE:ALEX) for 2009 were down about two thirds from the previous year. Net income for the company dropped from $132.4 million in 2008 to just $44.2 million in 2009. Meantime, revenue for the full year 2009 was $1,404.8 million, compared to revenue of $1,879.8 million […]
