Maui News

Tiara Fernandez, who began her career at Maui Ocean Center as an intern nearly 10 years ago, has been named the aquarium’s new Director of Education.

The Molokaʻi Affordable Housing Alliance is utilizing a portion of the grant to support the planning, design and obtaining of essential furnishings for six new tiny homes for kupuna in the Nā‘iwa Agricultural Subdivision.

A list of local artists have been added to the lineup for the upcoming “98 Degrees & Friends: Restoration of the Heart of Maui Fundraising Concert,” taking place Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 6 p.m. the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu.

Commissioners credited Chief Ventura for successfully managing equipment upgrades, recruitment and retention of employees, oversight of capital improvement projects, spearheading the department’s wellness program, collaborating with nonprofits for enhanced emergency response, and effective problem solving.

 Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will host a community meeting on Wednesday, March 27 at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani from 6 to 8 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on a potential water source development agreement between the County of Maui and Free Market Ventures, LLC.  

Haʻikū filmmaker Ryan Luskin’s film “The Sailing Movie” is scheduled for public release this fall. “The Sailing Movie” is the tale of Luskin’s son Saelyn and his right of passage, as he sails with his parents through 16 countries in search of “six essential life skills to thrive on a quickly changing planet.” While the bulk of the project was shot in 2013 in the Caribbean, crucial segments were filmed more recently on Maui.

This year, Melecraft will offer Maui youth a weekend workshop in the heart of Kahului, April 12 and 13, 2024 teaching aspiring artists how to create quality music through an authentic, holistic artistry approach, while learning critical industry skills that empower self-awareness, healthy expression, executive thinking and resilience.

Hopaco Office Outlet will shut down on March 29, according to an announcement on Instagram. For many years, the store selling paper and office supplies has been located at 80 Hana Highway in Kahului.

The average price of gas in Kahului is $4.76, five cents lower than last week, three cents lower than last month, and 14 cents lower than a year ago.

Throughout the month of March, at select Raising Cane’s locations across Oʻahu and Maui, parents and their keiki can enjoy a new or classic book read by one of the stars of The Hawaiʻi Comedy Festival while learning how to engage with each other while reading. A Maui event takes place on March 24 at 10 a.m. at the Raising Cane’s in Kahului at 176 Hoʻokele St.

A controversial bill to establish a nine-member Lele Community District Board for decision-making in rebuilding Lahaina has passed the state Senate, but it will not advance in the House, according to West Maui Rep. Elle Cochran.

Attorney General Anne Lopez is joining a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general on a bipartisan letter asking Congress to fix hemp language in the 2018 Farm Bill.

High school graduation ceremonies have been scheduled for the Class of 2024 with date, time and location information listed below. “We are so proud of our Class of 2024 graduates,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Through your dedication and years of hard work, you have gained the knowledge and skills needed to be globally competitive and locally committed. We hope you will always be working toward improving Hawaiʻi’s future and we cannot wait to see what you do on your journey ahead.”

Under Bill 95, which was enacted last year, real property that was completely destroyed, as determined by the Director of Finance, or that is located in a Lahaina red or yellow re-entry zone, is exempt from real property taxes including the minimum tax for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has launched “Mākaukau Maui,” a campaign that aims to revitalize Maui’s economy in the aftermath of last year’s devastating wildfires. Apart from the fire-affected areas of Lahaina Town, the campaign signals that Maui is ready to welcome visitors back to the island.

Members of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee received a presentation Wednesday on conceptual plans for the 1,600-unit Hoʻonani Village multifamily rental and commercial complex in Puʻunene.

The Lahainaluna High School once provided fruit, vegetables and livestock produce to its students and community. Its vast agricultural grounds received a manicure from local students, organizations and volunteers on Wednesday, bringing the school one step closer to its goal of replanting Lahaina.

The aftermath of the August wildfires continue to impact Maui County hotel performance, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority reports, but the county still leads the state in revenue per available room in February because of comparatively higher average daily room rates.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center invites the community to join in honoring the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole at the Prince Kūhiō Maui Hoʻolauleʻa. The event takes place on Friday, March 22 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Center Court.

This full speed training exercise on March 20, involved an evolving scenario with a missing swimmer, and overdue (and later reported sunk) boat traveling between Lānaʻi and South Maui.