Maui News
Update: Senate bill advances to increase air medical services
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously passed a bill this afternoon to increase air medical services, including in Maui County. The bill was revised to align with fiscal years 2025 to 2027 and making other technical and non-substantive changes for clarity.
The Shops at Wailea celebrate Lunar New Year with exciting lion dance and martial arts demonstration, Feb. 6
The Shops at Wailea invites guests to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Thursday, Feb. 6, with a performance by Oʻahu’s renowned Au’s Shaolin Arts Society.
HPU launches inaugural Marine Debris Circularity Academy in summer 2025
Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Center for Marine Debris Research is set to host its inaugural in-person Marine Debris Circularity Academy this summer on Oʻahu. The series of short courses is designed to promote sustainable solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis, with a focus on creating a “circular economy for plastics” in Hawai‘i and beyond.
UH law school brings recruitment event to Maui on March 5
Representatives from the law school will be visiting Maui as part of a statewide recruitment tour that also includes Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi.
Resource fair to help students with disabilities transition to adulthood hosted at UHMC, Feb. 27
A resource fair for students with disabilities will be hosted at UH Maui College Pilina Events Center on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Visitor industry saw continued improvement to end 2024
Seventeen months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, Maui has seen signs of a recovery in its tourism industry, with December 2024 marking an increase in both visitor numbers and spending.
Schatz named lead Democrat on appropriations subcommittee overseeing state department, USAID funding
On Wednesday, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. Schatz is also a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects
By a 5-2 vote, the House Committee on Housing passed a bill Friday aimed at removing lengthy historic property reviews from delaying housing developments.
Officer-involved shooting in Pukalani
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at approximately 3:46 p.m., Central Dispatch received a report of an abuse case at a Noho Place residence in Pukalani, Maui.
Chinese New Year celebration at Lahaina Cannery Mall, Feb. 7
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation, in collaboration with the Wo Hing Society, invites the community to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Snake with a vibrant, family-friendly celebration. This free event will take place on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Lahaina Cannery Mall – in the outside grass area.
American Savings Bank awards $135K to aspiring keiki entrepreneurs
American Savings Bank awarded $135,000 to nine winning student teams as part of its seventh annual Bank for Education KeikiCo Business Plan Competition. Students in grades 3 through 12 submitted business plans for ideas that support Hawaiʻi’s resilience and growth, including sustainable bedding for the homeless and a device that prevents dehydration.
The Shops at Wailea announce exciting February events for the entire family
The Shops at Wailea has an exciting array of experiences to celebrate the holidays with the ʻohana throughout February.
Fairmont Kea Lani to celebrate Pilina bar and restaurant’s first birthday on Feb. 7
Fairmont Kea Lani is celebrating the anniversary of its Pilina bar and restaurant on Friday, Feb. 7, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The free-entry event will feature musical entertainment, bespoke cocktails, complimentary tastings and culinary surprises for guests to enjoy.
Lāna‘i students win second place in DTRIC Insurance’s Drive Aloha PSA video contest
Students from Lāna‘i High and Elementary School earned second place in DTRIC Insurance’s third annual Drive Aloha PSA Video Contest, which promotes safe driving on Hawai‘i’s roadways. The contest invited high school students statewide to produce videos answering the question, “What does Drive Aloha mean to you?”
Senate Judiciary Committee passes wealth asset tax bill for assets above $20M
The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Judiciary passed Senate Bill 313 in a hearing Thursday morning, which would implement a wealth asset tax for assets valued over $20 million.
Schatz presses Commerce Secretary nominee on census, NOAA protection, AI safety
At Wednesday’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing for Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) pressed Lutnick on conducting a fair census count, protecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Project 2025 threats, consulting with Hawai‘i leaders on Pacific fisheries decisions and strengthening artificial intelligence safety.
Lahaina housing: Former tenants eager to return, daunted by four-year wait
Former residents of the Lahaina Surf and Front Street Apartments — destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires — cheered when they were reassured that both affordable housing complexes would be rebuilt and that they, as residents at the time of the fires, would be given priority to return to redeveloped homes.
DWS issues boil water notice for certain Upper Kula areas after heavy rains
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply issued a boil water notice for certain Upper Kula areas impacted by a main line break in Hāpapa Gulch during the winter storm.
Gov. Green releases $6.3M for tourism recovery campaign
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has announced the release of $6.3 million restricted funds from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism budget for a marketing effort to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.
House Health Committee votes to ban sales of flavored nicotine products
The House Committee on Health unanimously passed House Bill 756 on Friday to prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as being “nicotine free.”
