Maui News
Drones to curb invasive coqui found at higher elevations on Oʻahu
DOFAW field staffers are planning to use drone technology to apply the citric treatment to control the coqui infestation found at these higher elevations. Aloha ʻĀina Drones, a Hilo-based operation specializing in agricultural and conservation drone applications, is contracted to do the work.
Schatz seeks additional disaster relief when Congress returns in November
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called for additional disaster relief funding when Congress returns in November. Speaking on the Senate floor, Schatz stressed the need to provide disaster survivors on Maui and in other disaster-impacted communities with flexible, long-term assistance in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. The said this will enable them to rebuild their homes and communities as quickly as possible.
Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization names Batangan executive director
Kauanoe Batangan has been appointed executive director of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (Maui MPO), the agency responsible for coordinating federal highway and transit investments on the island of Maui. He started in the job Sept. 3.
Parks Department will soon accept permit applications for Jan. 1-April 15, 2025, period
Permit applications for the recreational use of County pools, gyms, fields, stadiums and tennis courts during the winter-spring period of Jan. 1 to April 15, 2025, are being accepted by the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation starting Oct. 1, 2024.
Hawaiʻi AG applauds state supreme court decision upholding prohibition of short-term vacation rentals on agricultural lands
Attorney General Anne Lopez is applauding the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court’s unanimous decision of Rosehill v. State of Hawaiʻi, Land Use Commission, where the court held that farm dwellings in the agricultural district cannot be used as short-term vacation rentals under Hawaiʻi law.
New milestone reached: USACE completes residential debris removal in Lahaina, commercial properties 64% cleared
The US Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, has completed debris removal from all residential properties devastated by the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. The milestone marks the return of 1,390 completed residential properties to the County of Maui. Property owners are now able to apply for building permits as part of the next phase in the rebuilding process.
Council resolution urges prioritized recycled wastewater use for new housing
A lack of fresh water resources has long held back housing development on Maui. And now that there’s a post-disaster housing shortage, the Maui County Council will consider Friday a resolution calling for increased production and expansion of recycled wastewater use to make more potable water available for human consumption.
County work at Wailuku River to begin in October
The County of Maui Department of Public Works will be performing maintenance and repair projects within the Wailuku River Flood Control Channel starting on Oct.1, 2024.
Community planting event hosted by Mālama Hāmākua Maui, Sept. 28
Mālama Hamakua Maui invites the community to a special “Kōkua Saturday” planting event on Sept. 28, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The event will take place at the Hamakualoa Open Space Preserve, located off of Hahana Road. Those unfamiliar with the area can meet at the Haʻikū Community Center at 8:35 a.m. and caravan to the site.
Kā‘anapali Beach Resort grows hope for Lahaina with tree donations
As West Maui rebuilds from the 2023 wildfires, Kā‘anapali Beach Resort has expanded its commitment to restoring the region’s ecosystem through Treecovery’s reforestation efforts. With four new grow hubs across the resort and more than 1,600 trees donated, Kā‘anapali Beach Resort is nurturing the community’s long-term ecological and cultural resilience.
Planning Department launches expedited SMA exemption process for Lahaina parcels
The County of Maui Department of Planning launched an expedited Special Management Area exemption process for parcels in the Lahaina Disaster Area. The link went live Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, and the Planning Department has 20 exemptions in the pipeline.
Debris clearing, sewer design, cesspool inspections among topics at Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting
The meeting will include a status report on debris clearing by the US Army Corps of Engineers, a Hawaiʻi Department of Education update on Kamehameha III Elementary School, and an Environmental Protection Agency update on Wahikuli cesspool inspections and information on the agency’s new sewer line design project.
Blue streaks in the sky over Maui explained
Blue streaks in the skies over Maui on Monday had some wondering what the phenomena could be.
Hawai‘i International Film Festival returns to Maui with six feature films and documentaries, selection of short films
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents the Maui Showcase for the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) with six feature films, one short film, and a collection of four ‘Made in Hawai‘i’ short films. All screenings will take place in the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater starting Saturday, Oct. 19 and concluding Sunday, Oct. 20.
DBEDT report: Maui County hotels still impacted by last year’s wildfires
The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism reports Maui County hotels in August were continuing to see after effects of last year’s devastating wildfires.
CLEAR opens TSA PreCheck enrollment location at Kahului Airport
CLEAR has announced four new enrollment locations, including one at Kahului Airport, allowing consumers to enroll or renew in TSA PreCheck. Formerly, IDEMIA Wailuku was the only location on Maui where one could enroll in TSA PreCheck.
Executive at Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization receives national recognition
Elizabeth Pickett, the long-time co-executive director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) was honored today at a ceremony in New York City, as one of the 2024 Grist 50. Grist bills itself as the only newsroom focused on finding solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.
Progress made as firefighters battle large brushfire near Molokaʻi Airport
The Molokaʻi fire is approximately 60% contained at about 100 acres as of 5 p.m., according to Maui Fire Department. There are no active threats, evacuation advisories or road closures at this time, and there are no reports of injuries. MFD continues to mop up and strengthen containment lines around the fire. Acreage and containment estimates may fluctuate as assessments are made. The cause of the fire is under investigation by MFD. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant as fire conditions are subject to change.
Hawai‘i awarded $800,000 targeted violence prevention grant
The Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement Office of Homeland Security is receiving a $803,330 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant from US Department of Homeland Security to expand current initiatives and implement new measures to prevent targeted violence statewide.
Expeditions announces ticket price increase for ferry service between Maui and Lānaʻi
The Public Utilities Commission granted Expeditions the right to increase its passenger fares in all rate categories earlier this month. In a filed order, the Commission recognized several impacts to operations in granting Expeditions’ request for the rate increase including: the Maui wildfires, Expeditions’ losses and change in operations to Māʻalaea Harbor, a reduction in tourism, a loss of alternative forms of income, issues with the financial viability of the ferry services, and the lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic. It also noted that Expeditions has not increased its fares in over 16 years, despite dramatically increased costs of operation.
