Maui News

Family members of the late Maui firefighter Tre’ Evans-Dumaran are seeking $12 million from Maui County for his foundation, estate and family; a memorial for fallen firefighters; and improvements for firefighter safety in a public petition posted online and aimed at Maui County decision-makers.

Dwight Young has been named the commissioner of financial institutions for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions, effective Nov. 1.

The Jocelyn Michelle Jazz Organ Quintet will perform an evening of outstanding Jazz from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in support of arts education for children. The event set for the Altitude Deck at Kīhei Charter School is presented by the South Maui Learning Ohana.

For residents with a sweet tooth, a variety of Thanksgiving pies are available for pre-order at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Pā‘ina Building in Kahului through Nov. 25.

As the holiday season approaches, The Giving Machine in Whalers Village in Kāʻanapali is offering a unique way for residents and visitors to give back. These innovative machines, part of a global campaign by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allows people to donate life-changing community gifts, such as food, clothing, diapers, and hygiene items, through a simple, interactive experience.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali announced the grand opening of The Valley Alley, a 10,000-square-foot arcade space located on lobby level of the resort’s newly-renovated Kūkahi Tower. Part of a multi-year, $160 million transformation, the vibrant entertainment hub adds a novel attraction to the resort’s robust amenities and guest programing. A nod to Maui’s nickname as “the valley isle,” The Valley Alley is the first-of-its-kind located in a hotel or resort in Hawaiʻi. 

The public is invited to a free Zoom presentation on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. by Kevin Kodama, Senior Service Hydrologist for the National Weather Service’s Honolulu Forecast Office. The talk is hosted online by Kula Community Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit community-based organization formed to stabilize, protect, restore, and maintain the areas of Kula impacted in the August 2023 wildfire.

In a commitment to community, Hawaiian Mele, and the best of Maui artisans, Royal Lahaina Resort announced The Branches set to launch its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, under the lunar forecast of a Full Moon, with Maui-roots artist,Tevana & Company. 

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs today unveiled a plaque at the President William McKinley High School campus at the statue of the school’s namesake to address the misrepresentation of Hawai‘i’s invalid annexation history. The statue holds a “Treaty of Annexation” document that was never ratified by the United States Senate as called for by the US Constitution and portrays an inaccurate history, according the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

Applications are open for Maui County residents to enroll in the 2025 Kealahoʻimai Personal Trainer and/or Group Fitness Instructor Certification Programs offered through University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Continuing Education Department.

Since launching its expanded wildfire safety strategy one year ago, Hawaiian Electric reports making significant improvements to reduce wildfire risk from its equipment. Actions include a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, clearing instrusive vegetation near electrical equipment, and installing weather stations and AI-assisted high definition […]

Hula O Nā Keiki – a solo competition for young hula practitioners – returned to the Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort this past weekend. All eight contestants represented their hālau and hula lineages. The two overall winners were Khandi-Pearl Holi and Luke Hilinaʻi Aquino – both students of Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua, under the direction of Kumu Hula Carlson Kamaka Kukona III.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is sharing food safety tips for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

A Native Hawaiian ‘Aha event is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Pā‘ina Building. There will be a Native Hawaiian programs spotlight from 3 to 4:30 p.m., prior to the event.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is continuing its work to stabilize travel demand to the Hawaiian Islands through strategic global marketing, while also ensuring tourism’s benefits flow to communities. As part of this focused effort, HTA is furthering its partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association through the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei being held this week on Oʻahu.

Josh Jerman of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers is offering five student scholarships of $1,000 each through the Josh and Souk Jerman Foundation Scholarship program. The foundation aims to encourage college-bound students to use their education to benefit Maui County.

Maui High School senior Daphne Takahashi recently received a $500 cash award for her essay: “Lei poʻo: How my volunteer service is intertwined with my community.”

A federal grant will be used to upgrade PBS Hawaiʻi’s KMEB Maui Transmitter, which provides Maui and Hawai‘i County residents with free over-the-air public programming and emergency alert services.

Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter will host a free screening of Inflatable Film’s award-winning, 40-minute documentary, “Uncle Bully’s Surf Skool” on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. The documentary follows local Maui surf instructor Robert “Bully” Kotter and his mentorship of Lahaina’s under-served youth during the pandemic.

The Hawaiian Music Series for November will take place Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. on the beautiful Ocean Lawn of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kāʻanapali.