Maui News

(By Wendy OSHER © 2009) State Senator Gary Hooser of Kauai announced his plans to run for Lt. Governor in 2010.  The announcement came in the form of an email to supporters.  In it, Hooser said that while his role as Senate Majority Leader is important, he has an opportunity to serve an even stronger […]

(By Wendy OSHER © 2009) OVERVIEW OF MAUI ROAD PROJECTS: On the roads, several projects continue across the Valley Isle this week. Upcountry, concrete overlay work continues on the Haleakala Highway resulting in a single lane uphill closure and an afternoon contraflow for downhill motorists. In South and West Maui, fiber optic cable installations will […]

By Wendy Osher © 2009 Maui Police say a visitor suffered massive head injuries from a fall from a 10 story balcony yesterday. The woman was found unresponsive near the poolside area of the Westin Kaanapali Hotel in Lahaina. Authoritites have since identified the woman as 52-year-old Laurie J. Brunner-Chapple of Sunnyville, California. Lt. Chad […]

By Wendy Osher © 2009 Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will present her third State of the County Address on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers on the 8th Floor of the County Building in Wailuku.  The public is free and open to the public, however seating is limited.  The address […]

(Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The County celebrated Chinese New Year today with a Lion Dance and Martial Arts demonstration on the front lawn of the county building. The public exhibition featured members of the Au’s Shaolin Arts Society. The playful lions were fed a head cabbage from Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares as dozens […]

By Wendy Osher © 2009 The newly constructed Honua Kai Resort & Spa in Kaanapali officially opened the doors on Phase One of the property this week. The Hokulani tower officially opened on Wednesday, but will be available for public viewing during a community open house tomorrow (Saturday, January 31, 2009). The luxury tower tour […]

(by Wendy OSHER © 2009) A stretch of West Maui coastline is proposed for protection as a Herbivore Fisheries Management area. The nearshore waters from Keka’a Point near the Sheraton Resort to Honokowai Park to the north, are proposed for designation as the Kahekili management area. DLNR officials say the rule is intended to maintain […]

By Wendy OSHER © 2009 Photo of Lahaina Lighthouse by Wendy Osher Graphic image of Recreational Renaissance courtesy: Hawaii DLNR A list of 39 Maui County projects including long awaited repairs of the small boat ramp at Maliko Gulch, are included in a $240 million Recreational Renaissance Plan unveiled by the state today. The Maui […]

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)  Maui’s visitor count was down 19 percent in December from the same time last year.  The county’s outer islands saw even deeper declines of 37 percent for Lanai and 49 percent for Molokai.  Total expenditures on Maui also experienced double digit decreases, down 28.3% to $243.4 million.  The per […]

(Posted by Wendy Osher © 2009) The Hale Makua long-term health care facility on Maui will benefit from a $700,000 grant released by the Governor’s office today. The capital improvement funds will be used to equip the agency’s Wailuku facility with a water sprinkler system. Hale Makua’s 124-bed facility in Wailuku was built in 1966, […]

FRONT 9 HOLES AT WAIEHU GOLF COURSE CLOSED The front nine holes at Waiehu Golf Course will remain closed today due to wet course conditions.  The Department of Parks and Recreation initiated the closure yesterday (January 28, 2009) at 1:35 p.m. due to the extended rainy weather.  Officials will reopen the rest of the course […]

ALL-CLEAR: TRANSPORT COMPLETE, EVACUEES ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME (Updated by Wendy OSHER @ 1:46 p.m.) Authorities have since completed the transport of a leaky propane gas tanker from Kihei to the Central Maui Baseyard. All roadways are now open and all evacuees have been allowed to return to their residences and businesses. County crews thank […]

The Maui Chamber of Commerce will host several upcoming events on Maui featuring island dignitaries. 2009 ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S LUNCHEON The first will be held this Friday, January 30, 2009 at the King Kamehameha Golf Club in Waikapu.  There, Governor Lingle will deliver the keynote address at the Maui Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.  Lingle is […]

Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009 KAHULUI-For the first time ever, Maui Community College will host an exhibition from the renowned Smithsonian Institution.  The traveling art exhibition entitled “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” examines the regional traditions and international influences of American cuisine, using artifacts, photographs and illustrations.  The exhibit is currently on display at […]

Slack Key protégé, Makana returns to the MACC for an intimate Valentine’s Day concert.  The show will run two days only at the McCoy Studio Theater on Saturday and Sunday, February 14-15, at 7:30 pm as part of “The MACC Presents…” 2008-09 Mele Series.  Due to popular demand, the second show on Sunday was just […]

Posted by: Wendy OSHER © 2009 Photos by:  Wendy OSHER © 2009 WAI`ANAPANAPA, HANA, MAUI – State workers will begin construction Monday on a $500,000 water system improvement project at Wai’anapanapa State Park in East Maui. Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) officials say the work will include the replacement of the potable water […]

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center is pleased to welcome back DA BRADDAHS, Hawai`i’s hilarious comedy duo, at the McCoy Studio Theater on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 pm as part of “The MACC Presents…” 2008-09 Local Voices Series. James Roche and Tony Silva make up this loco local duo that has been making Hawai`i […]

The U.S. Marshals Service has released a list of 21 fugitives in Hawaiʻi, wanted for crimes ranging from sex assault to drug violations and fraud.  Among those on the list is 47-year-old Frank Lefrandt Jr., who jumped bail before a 10-year prison term was set to start.  Lefrandt pleaded guilty to the sex assault of […]

Plans call for the construction of 754 units including rural lots, single family homes and multi-family units.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a free diver from shores off Lanai yesterday.  52-year-old Bruno Ambay had been reported missing Monday morning by friends who had been free diving with him about four miles off Manele Bay.  Ambay was spotted swimming along a rocky shoreline area about two hours later, and was hoisted by helicopter […]