Maui News

US Reps. Ed Case (D-HI-01) and James Moylan (R-Guam) are leading re-introduction in Congress of three legislative proposals to reform the century-old Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the “Jones Act.” The Act has long been criticized for creating shipping monopolies that increase the cost of imported goods to non-contiguous US regions, including Hawai‘i, Guam, the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Alaska.

Hawaiʻi Appleseed is proposing tax credits that target assistance only to Hawaiʻi’s struggling families.

The first Bingo Blast of 2025 will be the featured event at the Kaunoa Clubhouse in the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

CoralTree Residence Collection has announced the inaugural CoralTree Classic Charity Golf Tournament, a premier event combining the love of golf with community giving. The tournament will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at The King Kamehameha Golf Club in Wailuku. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Maui County Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, Paige DePonte will be the speaker at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting. DePonte will share information about Spirit Horse Ranch.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has appointed Summer Sylva as the new chief of staff for the OHA Board of Trustees. Sylva, an attorney and advocate for Native Hawaiian rights, brings extensive experience in governance, cultural stewardship and advocacy for Native Hawaiian rights to this role.

Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use.

Staff from the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project heralded Thursday’s first release of male mosquitoes, into a state forest reserve on the vast Alakaʻi Plateau, as momentous.

The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns on Friday released “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County,” a report offering strategic solutions to reduce and prevent homelessness across the county.

The Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act, aims to promote research on using grazing as a strategy to mitigate wildfires, reduce fuel loads and support post-fire recovery efforts.

The state’s Airports System has successfully raised $849 million in bond financing to fund approximately $600 million of essential projects to upgrade and expand airport infrastructure, including runway repairs, terminal renovations, security enhancements and the construction of new facilities.

A highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found washed up on the shore at Honoliʻi Beach in Hilo last week. While these sea snakes are rarely seen onshore in Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch strongly advises beach and ocean goers not to touch the venomous sea snakes which are often mistaken for eels. A sea snake is easily distinguished by the bright yellow markings on its underside.

Recurring Sheriff impersonator incidents have prompted the Department of Law Enforcement to issue additional scam warnings. In recent weeks, several people have had callers claiming to be deputy sheriffs tell them that they have outstanding warrants because they failed to appear in court.

Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui Office of Recovery’s monthly Lahaina Community Webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Officials will discuss topics related to Lahaina rebuild efforts, including presentations regarding the recently announced permitting exemptions for the Special Management Area (SMA), upcoming public meetings for the Community Development Block […]

The purpose of revisions is to address major changes to Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funded projects due to changes in purpose and need, shifts in project schedules, priorities, and significant changes in cost estimates that occurred through the project development process. Comments will be accepted until Tuesday, February. 25, 2025.

With the help of friends, colleagues and community, Kaufman created a lasting impact. For the past four decades, the Maui Whale Festival, which runs throughout February each year, has honored the arrival and departure of these majestic creatures.

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows will host an international pop-up dinner series themed for Maui as “A Culinary Journey Through Hawai‘i’s Cultural Heritage” with Emmy Award-winning TV personality Lanai Tabura.

A bill to exempt state-financed housing developments from county council approval has passed second reading on the Hawaiʻi Senate floor and advanced to the Ways and Means Committee.

The Carbon Smart Program has awarded a total of $1,000,000 to 10 grantees to develop and implement plans for regenerative sustainable practices, particularly carbon sequestration (capturing, securing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). The program is a pilot initiative to promote the preservation and enhancement of ranches, forests and farmlands in Hawaiʻi,

The Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act would establish a national federal funding minimum for disproportionate share hospitals.