Maui News
Cosmic ‘Christmas Tree Cluster’ makes the perfect universal Yuletide ornament
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.
Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group appoints Rhonda Alexander-Monkres as Executive Director
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.
Maui County Christmas tree drop-off sites to open Dec. 28 in Kīhei and Makawao
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.
Kauaʻi families get keys to new homes in Anahola homestead
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 is thriving after 2023 wildfire; funding made possible through FEMA
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.
Pukalani and Lahaina DMVL offices temporarily, Dec. 27
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.
Chris Dods to depart from First Hawaiian Inc.
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.
Maui Hotel & Lodging Association restructures its leadership team
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.
HPM Building Supply, American Savings Bank to sponsor ‘Hui Waiwai’ housing event
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.
Volcano Watch — Kīlauea summit erupts again
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.
XL swell brings 30-40 foot warning level surf to the Hawaiian Islands
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.
Maui County leads state in vacation rental performance in November
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.
More modular homes to be delivered to the Kilohana project on Dec. 29
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.
Applications being accepted for Summer 2025 Tri-annual permits
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.
Coast Guard, Hawaiʻi Life Flight transports patient from Big Island to Honolulu
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.
President signs Tokuda’s legislation to explore feasibility of Lahaina as a National Heritage Area
President Joe Biden signed US Rep. Jill Tokuda’s (HI-02) Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act into law. Under this law, the National Park Service, in consultation with state and local partners, will study the suitability and feasibility of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King.
Perfect Game, Shane Victorino Foundation to make record donation to Maui youth sports
Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, is partnering with former Major League Baseball All-Star and Maui native Shane Victorino and the Shane Victorino Foundation to donate 30,000 pieces of boys’ and girls’ athletic apparel to young athletes in West Maui. The donation will directly benefit the West Maui Little League and Lahainaluna High School baseball and softball programs, supporting their recovery and growth and is the largest donation the organizations have ever received.
DOH issues recall alert for Alcon Laboratories Systane Brand Lubricant Eye Drops
The Hawai‘i Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a recall issued by Alcon Laboratories for its Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF Single Vials On-the-Go (25 count) because of potential fungal contamination.
Pukalani DMVL office temporarily closed today, Thursday, Dec. 26
The Pukalani office of the County of Maui Department of Finance Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing is temporarily closed today, Thursday, Dec. 26, due to a staffing shortage.
