Maui News

The county begins work Monday, April 13, 2009 on the final phase of accessibility improvements at Launiupoko Beach Park. The project is one of three moving into their final phase and planned at Parks facilities on Maui. The work will result in the three month closure of the existing restrooms at Launiupoko. Workers will be […]

The Maui Police Commission will be accepting testimony on behalf of the applicants for the position of Chief of Police at two upcoming meetings.

A house committee is considering a resolution that would give President Barack Obama’s former Punahou apartment designation as a national historic place. Obama lived in the Punahou Circle apartment with his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, while attending the nearby Punahou School from 1971 to 1979. Dunham rented the 10th floor unit for 41 years before she […]

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The University of Hawai`i Athletics Department has announced plans for a football scrimmage and autograph session on Maui as part of the “Warrior Bowl” tradition of concluding spring practice. The Warriors will fly to Maui on Saturday April 11th for an intrasquad scrimmage at War Memorial Stadium beginning at […]

March home sales on Maui were up from the month before as prices continue to drop on the Valley Isle. There were a total 52 homes sold in Maui County in March-that’s up from the 31 homes sold in February, but down from the 95 homes sold at the same time last year. The median […]

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will be driving a different car around over the next several months.  The recently converted plug-in electric vehicle was unveiled yesterday in front of the county building.  The Hybrid Toyota Prius is one of just 130 vehicles taking part in a national study to further develop advances in automotive technology and […]

A Makawao man suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle crash on a remote section of road in Ulupalakua earlier this week. Maui Police identified the man as 36-year-old Harrison Higa. According to police reports, Higa was operating an off-road Kawasaki motorcycle on the Piilani Highway when he lost control of the vehicle, went off the […]

State officials broke ground today on the first phase of the Lahaina Bypass project. State Transportation Director Brennon Morioka explains key projects planned for the 1st phase that extends from Lahainaluna Road to the future Keawe Street Extension. “It’s only a half a mile stretch of total project length but it’s going to be about […]

The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the boundary gate of the Makawao Forest Reserve on Wednesday as crews begin maintenance work at the site.  The gate, located on Kahakapao Road was closed as of April 1, 2009. DLNR is working to construct drainage improvements to the roadway, with completion expected in July 2009. […]

The Commission on Water Resource Management has set an April 30th deadline to apply for permits in order to continue use of surface water at Na Wai ‘Eha. The Na Wai Eha Surface Management Areas include the Waihe’e, Waiehu, Iao and Waikapu Streams in central Maui.  If existing users fail to apply by the April […]

The state hopes to enter a safe harbor agreement with Haleakala Ranch to reintroduce and establish a population the endangered nene on the property. Under the agreement Haleakala Ranch would maintain or improve more than 3,000 acres of land, monitor release pens and outplant native food sources, with the hopes of increasing the population from […]

Project managers working to restore the Koieie Fishpond in Kihei want a deadline for completion lifted.  Work to revitalize the fishpond for educational, cultural and historic purposes began in 2005 and was slated for completion in 2007. Officials with ‘Ao’ao O Na Loko I’a O Maui said unforeseen events including earthquakes, flooding and debris have […]

The American Red Cross is seeking the public’s help in finding the agency’s truck, which was stolen last week from the agency’s office parking lot in Wailuku.  Gail Raikes, the director of the agency’s Maui chapter said the vehicle was taken some time between 6:30 March 25th and 5 a.m. the following morning. “Our American […]

The county is considering the purchase of double-decker busses on the Valley Isle. Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares was among a small busload of people who took the 14-foot high bus on a demo run yesterday. The diesel Enviro 500 bus can carry up to 81 passengers, with room for 17 people standing. It also has […]

President Obama signed a bill into law that includes provisions for a memorial at Kalaupapa, an advisory commission for Kaloko-Honokohau, and funding for the National Tropical Botanical Garden. U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka praised the enactment of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 146), following his attendance at the Presidential signing ceremony […]

More than 100 elderly homeowners could benefit from federal funds aimed at making homes safer and more accessible for seniors. Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced the funding today saying the $580,000 comes through the Senior Home Accessibility Retrofit program. Maui’s Department of Housing and Human Concerns will partner with Habitat for Humanity and the Department […]

The Maui County Salary Commission will not be making a decision on a salary increase for the Police Chief, until the deadline for applications to fill the post has passed

DOUBLE DECK BUSES ON MAUI? Officials with the Department of Transportation will attend a demonstration today by vendors who are looking to bring double-deck transit buses to Maui.  The county is considering purchase, but has not made a decision at this time. The vendor, Alexander Dennis, builds integrated city buses featuring a lightweight, but strong […]

The U.S. Supreme court today sent a ceded lands case back to the state courts. The justices ruled unanimously that the 1993 Apology Resolution is not grounds, of itself, to halt the state from selling Kingdom of Hawaii crown lands.

About 200 people showed up for a budget hearing in Lahaina last night, with about 50 of those in attendance, coming forward to testify. West Maui residents asked for increased funding for road repairs, help to reduce rising property taxes rates, and continued funding for social service agencies that are experiencing an increase in clientele […]