Maui News

The contract will fund engineering services for various waterfront projects across Hawaiʻi and other South Pacific Islands. Most of the work, about 95%, will be done in Hawaiʻi, with the remaining 5% in other South Pacific locations. The project is expected to be completed by September 2025.

GRAMMY-nominated artist Kimié Miner is shining a light on Maui’s strength and spirit through “Christmas in Hawai‘i with Kimié Miner & Friends,” an Emmy-nominated celebration of aloha and music. Dedicated to Maui, this year’s event aims to bring hope and joy, especially in the wake of the 2023 wildfires.

The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation is suspending plans to introduce admission fees for the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens to allow the issue to be further reviewed and studied.

Kōkua Pool in Kahului is closed for pool maintenance through Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced.

The United States Attorney’s Office released a statement today regarding the death of defendant Michael J. Miske, the Hawaiʻi crime boss who was convicted by a federal jury of 13 counts of criminal conduct on July 18, 2024. On Dec. 1, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced that he was found unresponsive and later pronounced deceased on Dec. 1, 2024.

The 2024 Kaʻapuni Basketball Tournament begins Thursday, Dec. 5, with games hosted at Baldwin High School’s Jon Garcia Gymnasium and Seabury Hall’s Erdman Athletic Center. This year’s tournament will run through Saturday, Dec. 7 and once again features both defending HHSAA State Champions, St. Louis in Division I and Kohala in Division II.

Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Disaster Recovery Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.

A new lunch spot has opened at The Historic Wailuku Inn, a century-old bed and breakfast in the heart of Wailuku town.

The 30-year-old Maui woman who went missing during a layover in Los Angeles last month, is believed to have left voluntarily, according to police, after new video surveillance surfaced of her crossing the US border into Mexico on foot. Police say Hannah Kobayashi was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. The Los Angeles Police Department has since classified the case as a voluntary missing person.

The United States Postal Service suggests Hawai‘i residents mail their Christmas letters, cards and packages by Wednesday, Dec. 18 for First-Class and Priority mail headed to the Mainland US. Procrastinators have until Friday, Dec. 20 to send their holiday cheer to the Mainland US via USPS expedited Priority Express shipping service. USPS notes that these dates apply to mail received by each Post Office’s cutoff time.

Applications are being accepted for the 2025-2026 Kealahoʻimai Massage Therapy Program offered through UH Maui College’s Continuing Education Department.

A masterclass in approaching Haleiwa unfolded in Quarterfinal Heat 3 of the World Surf League’s The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro, featuring standout surfers Joshua Moniz (HAW), Kauli Vaast (FRA), Ian Gentil (HAW), and Kainehe Hunt (HAW).

A third Canoe Crop Corner will take place at the upcoming Wailuku First Friday. The event is touted as a rare opportunity to learn about Maui’s agricultural traditions and experience firsthand the tastes and stories behind vital canoe crops.

Following calls for increased benefits for Hawai‘i families, US Sen. Brian Schatz today announced that the US Department of Agriculture has proposed updates to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food across the state. The USDA has proposed a 2.3% increase in SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i, which would result in an estimated $40 monthly increase for a family of four. 

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center invites everyone to get in the holiday spirit through an exciting lineup of festive events throughout December. 

Anessa Riglos, a standout golfer from HP Baldwin High School’s Class of 2025, has signed a letter of intent to play golf at Tennessee State University in Nashville.

The Realtors Association of Maui Community Foundation is now accepting applicants for its annual Presidential Scholarship. Multiple scholarships will be awarded to students applying to, accepted, or currently attending college, university, or trade school. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.

The Maui Humane Society is offering waived and reduced adoption fees for the month of December thanks to the generosity of BISSELL Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell.

The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Hawaiʻi’s first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu (H5N1). The initial case was detected on Nov. 15, in a backyard flock of mixed bird species in Wahiawā, followed by a second case on Nov. 25, in a wild duck on the North Shore.

Here on Maui, 14 months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, there were 180,609 visitors to Maui in October 2024, which was higher than October 2023 (134,493 visitors, +34.3%), but below October 2019 (238,043 visitors, -24.1%). Visitor spending increased to $388.5 million in October 2024, compared to $332.9 million (+16.7%) in October 2023 and $379.8 million (+2.3%) in October 2019.