Maui News
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.
County barricades removed as state reopens intersection at northern terminus of Front Street
County of Maui barricades will be removed when the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reopens its intersection on Honoapi‘ilani Highway and the northern terminus of Front Street at 11 a.m. today, Feb. 26, 2025, according to the County’s Office of Recovery.
Episode 11 of Kīlauea eruption features 200 foot lava fountains
Episode 11 of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu began at 6:26 p.m. HST on Feb. 25, 2025 within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The intensity and height of fountaining has continued to escalate since the eruption began reaching heights of over 200 feet by 6:50 p.m. HST.
Mānoa: Food insecurity a major driver of mental health challenges in Hawaiʻi, study finds
Food insecurity is a key driver of poor mental health in Hawaiʻi, according to a new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers.
17 employees with CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui placed on leave due to federal funding cuts
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement announced that 17 employees assigned to CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui recovery programs have been placed on leave following unexpected federal funding cuts. These employees played a critical role in providing direct assistance to wildfire survivors, particularly at the Kākoʻo Distribution Center, which has temporarily closed due to the staffing loss.
Friday’s Kīhei Town Party features Kalama Intermediate ʻukulele students, the Benny Uyetake Band and more
The next Kīhei 4th Friday takes place Feb. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Azeka Shopping Center Mauka. Enjoy live music, food booths and trucks, art, crafts and local shopping.
Another hit: Insufficient funding erases more than 130 jobs held by Maui wildfire survivors
As Maui wildfire survivors try to get back on their feet, another blow: A combination of uncertain federal funding from the US Department of Labor and insufficient available funds from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations have led to lost jobs Monday for 131 National Dislocated Worker Grant workers.
American Savings Bank celebrates centennial with $100K donation to local nonprofits
To celebrate 100 years of serving Hawaiʻi, American Savings Bank is giving back with a $100,000 donation to local nonprofits through the newly launched ASB Charitable Foundation. Ten organizations will each receive $10,000 – and the public is invited to decide the recipients by voting online.
Community meeting on Imi Kala Street Extension proposal to be held March 5 in Wailuku
The County of Maui Department of Public Works (DPW) is holding a community meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Wailuku to discuss the proposed Imi Kala Street Extension project that would provide another connection between Waiehu and Wailuku.
Multi-agency, full-scale CST training exercise slated this Thursday morning in Kīhei
A multi-agency, full-scale training exercise will be held this Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 2025, starting at 6 a.m. in Kīhei, according to the County’s Maui Emergency Management Agency.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa launches ‘Kuleana Series,’ AI experience
This first-of-its-kind interactive augmented reality experience features 11 leading cultural educators and scientific experts. The “living portraits” on the plaques consist of portrait images that “come to life” by employing augmented reality (AR) technology. By using the AR viewer on a smartphone and pointing the camera towards the portrait, it creates a lifelike experience for the guest as the image begins to move and speak when viewed on the phone’s screen.
Senate committee advances key bills on housing, agriculture, businesses and energy
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means, led by State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, passed several key bills this week aimed at tackling housing shortages, supporting local businesses, and advancing sustainability in Hawai‘i.
