Maui News
Mānoa: Mighty marine fungi degrade plastic, can be trained to do it faster
Plastic is the most prevalent marine pollutant, and plastic surfaces are the fastest growing habitat in the ocean. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently discovered that many species of fungi from Hawaiʻi’s nearshore environment have the ability to degrade plastic, and some can be conditioned to do it faster.
Software upgrade planned for Maui’s Automated Planning and Permitting System
The County of Maui’s Automated Planning and Permitting System (MAPPS) will be offline and unavailable from 6 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time Friday, March 7, to 7 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2025, while the system is upgraded as part of planned software maintenance.
McKelvey and Tokuda push back against Trump Administration federal job cuts
State Sen. Angus McKelvey and US Rep. Jill Tokuda are rebuking the administration of President Donald Trump for the loss of thousands of federal jobs as part of an effort to shrink government bureaucracy.
Helping UH students affected by funding freezes, executive orders
At the urging of University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel, the UH Foundation is working to raise private donations to support graduate students whose funding has been interrupted due to recent federal executive orders.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui hosts March double-header for Kapalua Concert Series, March 6-7
On Thursday, March 6, acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ron Artis II will headline the evening along with ʻukulele master Kalei Gamiao. On Friday, March 7, Akoni Palomino will bring his signature blend of Hawaiian and reggae rhythms to the series. Both performances will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club building at Eddie Tam Memorial Complex in Makawao to close briefly March 10-31 for roof work
The Makawao Boys and Girls Club building at the Eddie Tam Memorial Center complex in Makawao will temporarily close for a reroofing project from March 10-31, 2025, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation.
Visitor arrivals to Maui up after 2023 wildfires, but down from pre-pandemic levels
Eighteen months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, there were 202,738 visitors to Maui in January 2025. The number of visitors to Maui in January 2025 was higher than January 2024 (175,005 visitors, +15.8%), but below January 2019 (233,422 visitors, -13.1%).
The Ritz-Carlton Maui unveils Kapalua Wine and Chef Series beginning in March
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua has launched the Kapalua Wine & Chef Series at Banyan Tree, offering exclusive monthly culinary experiences. Each event pairs award-winning wines with creative dishes from top chefs, including MICHELIN-starred talent.
Update: Kahului man arrested on suspicion of second degree murder
The 43-year-old victim has since been identified as Janinekara Sturgeon of Kahului. As of Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, the 41-year-old Kahului man arrested in conjunction with the case was charged with first degree murder. He remains in police custody with no bail.
AlohaCare awards $50K in scholarships; 2025 applications open Monday
AlohaCare awarded academic scholarships to 11 students on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, who are pursuing an education in healthcare and social services. As part of its mission to support local workforce development, AlohaCare’s Giving Program provided scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 for a total of $50,000.
DOH reports travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu
The Hawai‘i Department of Health has confirmed a new travel-related case of dengue virus on Oʻahu, bringing the total number of dengue cases in the state for 2025 to two. The affected individual in this current case was exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common.
Senate Ways & Means Committee takes action to mitigate impact of federal funding freeze
This bill was created to address potential negative impacts of the federal funding freeze imposed by the United States Office of Management and Budget on Hawai‘i’s federally qualified health centers, along with programs offering childcare, social services, subsidized housing, and homelessness assistance.
UH, Google offer free AI training to students, employees
The University of Hawaiʻi has partnered with Google to provide AI training to its students and employees across its 10-campus system at no cost.
State and City launch 2025 Food Drives to support Hawaiʻi Foodbank
The State of Hawaiʻi and the City and County of Honolulu, in partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank, have officially launched their 2025 employee food drives to help fight food insecurity across the islands. Together, the state and city have set a goal of providing 515,000 meals to Hawaiʻi residents in need.
Tax credits for low-income Hawai‘i families available
Looming deadlines for state and federal income tax filings in April make this a dreaded time of the year, but with all of the tax credits now available, Hawai‘i families should make filing their taxes a priority this year.
Bissen administration explains years-long delay in homeless overnight parking program
More than two years after Maui County Council members unanimously approved a bill to allow homeless people to sleep in their cars in county parking lots, a pilot program has yet to be implemented, even after the J. Walter Cameron Center’s parking lot was initially identified as an appropriate location in the fall of 2022.
Maui Nonprofit Directors Association encourages nonprofits to renew or join as members
The Maui Nonprofit Directors Association has opened enrollment for new and returning members. The association offers opportunities for nonprofit leaders to connect, collaborate and enhance their organization’s impact on the Maui community.
$2.25M awarded for new transitional housing for healthcare workers impacted by Lahaina wildfire
The Maui Health Foundation has received a $2.25 million grant from Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund for the construction of up to 15 additional transitional housing units for healthcare professionals directly impacted by the August 2023 Lahaina fire.
Airbnb gifts Hawaiʻi Foodbank with $1M donation to combat rising food insecurity
Hawaiʻi Foodbank has announced a $1 million donation from the Airbnb Community Fund that will help to provide food for approximately two million meals to families, kūpuna and keiki in need across the islands.
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation launches new podcast Ka Pewa hosted by Kanoa Leahey
The Hawai‘i Community Foundation has launched its new podcast, Ka Pewa, hosted by Kanoa Leahey.
