Maui News

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has announced a series of changes to security measures in the “commercial bubble” region of the Lahaina Impact Zone, set to take effect on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at 6 a.m. The adjustments will coincide with a shift change for security personnel, as part of ongoing recovery efforts coordinated with local, state and federal authorities.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez called on the US Supreme Court today to reaffirm that states should be given the first opportunity to redraw voting district lines in response to likely violations of the Voting Rights Act.

The eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began on Monday, Dec. 23, is now in its third phase with low level eruptive activity reported today.

Hamakua Poko Kai beach, also known to some as “Bones Beach,” on Maui’s north shore will be closed through Jan. 31 while work is underway to assess environmentally and culturally sensitive areas impacted by recent high surf.

Hungry Heroes Hawaii is partnering with the Living Pono Project to continue vital food programs for Maui families and wildfire survivors.

The array of young stars — all between 1 and 5 million years old — that is about 2,500 light-years, or 14.7 quadrillion miles, from Earth in the Milky Way. A composite image shows it in the shape of a tree with glowing stellar lights.

The Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Maui’s recovery and rebuilding efforts following the August 2023 wildfires, announced the appointment of Rhonda Alexander-Monkres as its new Executive Director.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management is opening two temporary Christmas tree drop-off sites in Kīhei and Makawao on Saturday, Dec. 28. The temporary locations are in addition to the ongoing green waste drop-off services throughout Maui County.

The opening of new homestead homes two Kauaʻi families on Anu Street in the Anahola homestead of Piʻilani Mai Ke Kai came with the joyful sounds of children playing, according to an announcement from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Sacred Hearts temporary school now consists of 13 air-conditioned classrooms housed within existing buildings on the leased property, two portable enrichment classrooms, a school office, mental health counseling rooms and maintenance areas.

The Pukalani and Lahaina offices of the County of Maui Department of Finance Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing are temporarily closed on Friday, Dec. 27, due to staffing shortages.

Christopher L. Dods has resigned, effective March 31, as vice chairman and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, according to an announcement.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s new executive team is Executive Director John Pele, Deputy Executive Director Naomi Cooper and Manager of Events & Membership Angela Doran.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending announced that HPM Building Supply and American Savings Bank will sponsor the nonprofit’s annual Hui Waiwai on Jan. 23, 2025, at Bishop Museum from 5 to 8 p.m.

Kīlauea began erupting again on Dec. 23, 2024. This is the eighth eruption of Kīlauea, and the sixth within Kaluapele, since 2020. These previous eruptions within Kaluapele lasted from less than one week to more than a year in duration. This history of activity, along with continued summit inflation, suggests that eruptive activity may continue to pause and resume in the coming days or weeks.

A High Surf Warning is in effect for the north and west shores of Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, the north shores of Maui, and the west facing shores of Hawaiʻi Island through 6 a.m. Saturday.

While Maui County has had dismal hotel occupancy rates recently, November vacation rental performance statistics present a different picture. Maui has the highest vacation rental occupancy rates of any county in Hawaiʻi, but that’s not really saying much.

Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Kilohana site in Lahaina. Loads will be transported from Kahului Harbor to a staging area near the Kahului boat ramp, beginning at 7 a.m. and throughout the day, on Sunday, Dec. 29.

The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will be begin accepting applications next month for the Summer 2025 Tri-Annual Permits period. The applications are for recreational use of pools, gyms, fields, stadiums and tennis courts during the summer activity period of April 16 to July 31, 2025.  

Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders received a notification at 1 p.m. Wednesday from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, requesting transport for a 44-year-old patient who was experiencing a severe abdominal condition.