Maui News

A portion of homes in the Pukalani area will have their water service disrupted beginning 9 p.m. Thursday, May 9, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2024.

Hawaiian Electric continues to investigate the cause of an outage early Wednesday morning that knocked out power to an estimated 2,500 customers. The outage was reported at 2:15 a.m. on May 8. “While the exact cause is still being determined, inspections identified an archery arrow caught in a line and trees making contact with a section of powerlines in the area,” a spokesperson said.

After 27 years at the entrance to downtown Wailuku, Mele Ukulele will close its flagship store following the sale of its location near Wailuku bridge to a mainland owner.

The 55th Annual Barrio Fiesta takes place May 24 and 24 at the Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului. Friday’s hours are 5-10 p.m., and Saturday’s event will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Specialty Pharmacy (HSP) today announced the opening of two new ambulatory infusion centers on Maui—in Wailuku and Upcountry. Specialty pharmacies and ambulatory infusion centers support patients requiring specialized treatments, including chemotherapy, antibiotic infusions, and more.

An unusually strong upper level disturbance is expected to approach the islands later Friday into Saturday, bringing the possibility of very active weather to portions of the state. The latest guidance indicates a possibility for severe thunderstorms, which could produce damaging winds and large hail, as well as the possibility for localized intense rainfall and flash flooding, according to the NWS.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced the County of Maui has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct an After-Action Report assessing the coordination of Maui County Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA’s) response to the Maui Wildfires that occurred in August 2023.

US Sen, Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on Congress to pass long-term disaster relief funding for impacted communities across the country, including on Maui and Vermont. Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Schatz underscored the need to pass funding for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in order to provide survivors with flexible assistance to rebuild their homes, small businesses, and communities over the long-term. 

One person was displaced following a fire in a third-floor unit at the Harbor Lights condominium in Kahului on Wednesday morning.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (D-ME), and 25 colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to honor our nation’s teachers and commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week as May 6-10.

Mail carriers from Maui to Maine will lead the Postal Service’s effort to “Stamp Out Hunger” this Saturday, May 11 in the 32nd annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. 

The Maui Planning Commission will review the latest draft for the South Maui Community Plan during a public meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Testimony will be accepted.

Magma continues to pressurize the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south side of Kalaupele and Keanakākoʻi crater, activating seismicity along faults in the upper East Rift Zone. At this time, it is not possible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or eruption soon or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth.

Maui Mall Village today announced that Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya will open at the center in early fall 2024. The restaurant, which operates four locations on Oʻahu, offers fresh, gourmet and affordable Japanese ramen and bar-style dishes. It serves traditional flavors in a chic modern environment with an array of options, from build-your-own ramen to a selection of signature dishes. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya will open near Center Court with seating for about 40 guests. 

To elevate the relationship of ʻāina and kānaka, the public is invited to join a free two-day traditional hale building guided by Kuhikuhi Puʻuone (Master Indigenous Architect) Francis Palani Sinenci on May 17 and 18 in Waipao, Honuaʻula.

Maui fire crews responded to two brush fires in the Piʻihana Farms area of Wailuku on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.  The first fire was reported at 10:11 a.m. and extinguished at 12:55 p.m., involving about an acre of brush and an abandoned vehicle.  A second fire was reported at 1:12 p.m. and was extinguished at 3:25 p.m. It also involved brush and another abandoned vehicle in a different area.  No structures were threatened by either fire, according to fire officials.  The cause of both fires is under investigation. 

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center kicks off the summer season of Kanikapila Thursdays on May 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with live music by Kawika Ortiz, games by Yard Games Hawaiʻi, a Giveaway Bingo Card, keiki crafts, and participation with community partners.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., his Federal Funds Team and the Department of Transportation are hosting a federal funds summit from July 16-18 under the governor’s Investing in Hawai‘i’s Future, a collaboration between federal, state and community partners to maximize federal funding for the state.

The State Legislature closed on May 3 passing several of bills supported by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi to tackle cost of living challenges, support growth in the technology sector, boost entrepreneurship, increase access to childcare and add affordable housing for our workforce.

Update: (10:20 a.m., May 8, 2024) Hawaiian Electric reports power has been restored to customers on Loha St., parts of Haleakalā Highway and Kualono. Crews have completed most of the line inspection, and are continuing to restore customers in sections. An estimated 2,518 customers were impacted by the outage, which occurred at 2:10 a.m.