Maui News

Haleakala National Park on Maui is $1.2 million richer today because of a partnership between the National Park Service and the Maui Invasive species Committee.  Under the National Park Service Centennial Challenge, contributions from park partners are matched with federal funds.  The money will be used to prepare the park for the next century of […]

The State of Hawai’i has released $500,000 to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC)  which will go towards capital improvements at the performing and visual arts facility.  The funding is part of a third and final stage of construction, for a project called “Completing Pundy’s Dream,” named for the center’s Founding Chairman Pundy Yokouchi, who […]

The U.S. Navy received federal authorization this month to continue sonar training exercises in Hawaiian waters.  The Fisheries Service with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does not expect the exercises to result in serious injury or death to marine mammals, but is requiring mitigation measures to protect the whales and other marine life, and […]

The Public Utilities Commission issued an order on Friday, to suspend a docket filed by Wailuku Water Company.  The former Wailuku Sugar plantation company had sought approvals for a certificate of convenience and necessity to provide non-potable water distribution to customers in the central region (including Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku and Waikapu).  The restrictions come […]

Thousands of former Hansen Disease patients buried in the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai, could finally get a memorial in their honor.  Although the Kalaupapa Memorial Act passed in the U.S. House last year, it did not pass the Senate prior to the conclusion of the 110th Congress.  It has since been reintroduced in the […]

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Maui County saying damaging southwest winds are possible on Thursday and Friday.  The conditions are the result of a strong low pressure system northwest of Kauai, along with a cold front moving through the islands.  The strongest gusts are expected to occur on the […]

Maui’s traffic fatality count for 2008 rose to 24 following the death of a Kihei man last week.  Maui police say 20-year-old Jonathan Ferrer was transported to Maui Memorial Medical center on December 21st after an early morning accident in which the pickup truck he was in, collided into a cement island and post on […]

BIG ISLAND POLICE BRIEFS: BODY OF WOMAN FOUND FLOATING IDENTIFIED Hawaii Police Department Detectives have identified a woman found floating near the Hilo breakwater on December 28, 2008. She has been positively identified as 56-year-old Debra Giamario of  Hilo. On Thursday, January 8, an acquaintance of Giamario’s initiated a missing person report stating that the woman had […]

The Blood Bank of Hawaii will honor about 150 of the agency’s most loyal donors on Friday, in conjunction with blood donor recognition month.  Cancer survivor and Sen. Roz Baker of West Maui is among the guest speakers scheduled for the luncheon set for 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course.  […]

The state unveiled two major initiatives aimed at easing traffic congestion along the most heavily traveled corridor in the state.   The first project, known as the PM Contraflow, focuses on improving the westbound afternoon rush hour commute on the H-1 Freeway from Honolulu to Central and Leeward O`ahu by adding a 6.2-mile contraflow lane […]

With the DTV transition just days away, the FCC is hosting consumer assistance clinics throughout the week. Residents are invited to drop by the Friendly Market on Molokai today between 1 and 5 p.m.; and the Wal Mart in Kahului between 1 and 3 p.m. today for advice on how to hook up converter boxes […]

Geoff Ogilvy was the big winner this weekend at the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes Championship in Kapaula.  The 31-year-old Australian took a six-shot lead in the final round to take home the $1.12 million first prize, and Mercedes-Benz SL550.  Tying for second were Anthony Kim and Davis Love III.  And, Hawaii’s own Parker McLachlin, did […]

The county reopened the historic Piilani Highway in Kaupo over the weekend following two weeks of cleanup and repairs.  Heavy rains forced the closure of the road on December 29th as crews worked to repair damages to the asphalt road, and clear mud and debris.  On another note, scheduled work on the Paihi Bridge in […]

Fishing of some popular species could undergo stricter regulations to protect over harvesting in island waters.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources will be on Maui this Wednesday to discuss options for protection of the uhu, weke, ulua and papio with a focus on minimum size rules.  The meeting runs from 5:30 to 8:30 […]

The State Department of Transportation will unveil two major initiatives this afternoon to address traffic congestion on Oahu’s roadways.  The initiatives are aimed at improving traffic flow on the most heavily traveled corridor in the state-the H-1 Freeway and the Middle-Street merge. (Posted by Wendy Osher:  Monday, January 12, 2009)

The number of visitor accommodation units statewide in 2008 rose 1.3 percent from the year before according to a report just released by the state.   Kaua`i had the largest percentage increase of 5.9 percent to 9,203 units. Maui decreased slightly by .8 percent to 19,055 units while Moloka`i witnessed a 21 percent decline due to […]

Residential dialysis for patients in the remote East Maui region is one step closer to becoming a reality.  The state will consider an amendment today for a residential dialysis center to use land in Hana currently designated as a physician’s residence.  The site was constructed in 1938 for the Hana Health Clinic, but use of […]

WAILUKU -The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reopens vehicle access on the Kula State Forest Reserve Access Road this afternoon.  The road was closed near the cement crossing to Polipoli State Park a week ago following heavy rains that resulted in unsafe conditions.  DLNR officials say milder weather in recent days allowed the […]

Hawaii’s air quality on New Year’s Eve was better than expected according to a report released by the state Department of Health. The highest concentration of particulate matter was recorded at Pearl City. All other locations monitored including Kihei on Maui recorded levels lower or equal to last year’s New Year’s celebration. The state’s Clean […]

Macy’s, Inc. today announced the closing of 11 underperforming Macy’s stores, including the retail location at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Island of Hawaii.  The 3,000 square foot store opened in 1983 and had 3 employees. Macy’s CEO Terry J. Lundgren said in a statement today, “These closings are part of our normal-course […]