Maui News
Hawaiʻi Island: Puna murder suspect dies following officer-involved shooting
28-year-old Isaiah Kaleo Jiaan Fourshey allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend’s 25-year-old sister Latisha Soares early the morning of March 4 at her Mountain View residence.
Maui County’s economic recovery trails rest of the state; construction builds momentum
Maui County’s economic recovery remains slower than other islands, particularly in tourism and employment, suggesting lingering effects from the August 2023 wildfires disaster that disrupted tourism and local businesses, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism the 2025 Statistical and Economic Report, published in this first quarter.
Mayor Bissen to hold South Maui community meeting on Wednesday, March 12
Residents are encouraged to attend a South Maui community meeting being held by Mayor Richard Bissen on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the Kīhei Community Center, 303 E. Līpoa St.
Second annual golf tournament raises over $50K for Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center
Seventy-two golf enthusiasts participated in the second annual Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center golf tournament held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Mānele Golf Course.
Hirono, colleagues seek to rescind Trump’s day-one executive orders on energy
Hirono said the Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act would reassert America’s clean energy leadership, keep energy costs for families as low as possible, and unfreeze critical Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to protect jobs and support rural economies.
Keck Observatory helps identify possible triple system in Kuiper Belt
A team of researchers using data from W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island, and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has likely discovered a stable trio of icy space rocks in the solar system’s Kuiper Belt. If confirmed, the 148780 Altjira system would be the second known three-body system in the region, suggesting similar triples may exist and supporting a theory about the solar system’s history and early formation of Kuiper Belt objects.
Maui Preparatory Academy welcomes Drew Triplett as new athletic director
Maui Preparatory Academy has announced the hiring of Drew Triplett, a 2022 graduate, as its new athletic director.
Homestead communities, leader recognized for wildfire mitigation efforts
Two homestead communities were recognized at last Thursday’s wildfire summit for their efforts, commitment and contributions to the Firewise program.
Hawaiʻi Judiciary reaffirms commitment to providing language access to the courts
The Executive Order does not impact Hawaiʻi’s recognition of both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as the state’s official languages. The Judiciary reaffirms its policy of allowing people to communicate with the courts in either language.
Hoku Dudoit named MEO 2025 Driver of the Year
Zandra “Hoku” Dudoit has been named Maui Economic Opportunity 2025 Driver of the Year for “exemplifying what it means to be a dedicated and safe driver.”
Senate bill would prohibit sales of bundled foreclosed homes at public sale
Senate Bill 332 Senate Draft 1 would prohibit sellers of foreclosed homes from bundling properties at a public sale. Instead, each foreclosed home would be sold separately. Previous foreclosure crises have resulted in the replacement of owner-occupied homes with investor-owned rentals, prolonged vacancies and unmaintained residential properties.
Council confirms appointees to Maui boards and commissions
The Maui County Council has confirmed more than two dozen citizen appointees to boards, commissions and committees, allowing those panels a better chance to conduct meetings with a required quorum.
Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee highlights fireworks bills
Through these legislative efforts, lawmakers aim to reduce the dangers posed by illegal fireworks and hold accountable those responsible for illegal activity.
Upcountry Energy Resilience Project hosts discussion: ‘Understanding Your Electric Bill’
The Upcountry Energy Resilience Project, a community-led initiative, will host a discussion about “Understanding Your Electric Bill” on Thursday, March 6 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. This virtual meeting aims to address the systemic issues and common questions related to the high cost of electricity for Upcountry Maui residents.
Kula Community Watershed Alliance hosts speaker on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death this Thursday
The Kula Community Watershed Alliance invites the public to its next Community Conversation on Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. via Zoom, featuring a presentation on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death by Lissa Strohecker, public relations and education specialist at the Maui Invasive Species Committee.
Applications open for food business incubator program with tuition support
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 of Hawai’i Ag & Culinary Alliance’s Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Scholarship—an initiative designed to help local value-added food entrepreneurs using Hawai‘i-sourced ingredients scale their businesses.
Applicants Wanted for State Ethics and Campaign Spending Commissions
The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill upcoming vacancies on the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission. The terms on each commission will run four years from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.
Update: Episode 12 of Kīlauea eruption ends after 22 hours
Episode 12 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption of Kīlauea within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ended at 10:37 a.m. HST on March 5 after just under 22 hours of continuous eruptive activity. Fountaining from the south vent ceased at 10:35 a.m. at the same time summit deflation changed to inflation and tremor decreased. Current hazards include volcanic gas emissions and windblown volcanic glass (Pele’s Hair) that may impact Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.
UH President Wendy Hensel visits UH Maui College
University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel visited UH Maui College on Monday, March 3, as part of her statewide tour of 10 UH campuses and five education centers within her first 90 days in office.
Photo: Wailuku resident serves aboard USS Ralph Johnson in the East China Sea
Ensign Camryn Ban from Wailuku, Maui, hands out zones to zone setters during a general quarters drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) while underway in the East China Sea, March 1.
