Maui News

Following calls for increased benefits for Hawai‘i families, US Sen. Brian Schatz today announced that the US Department of Agriculture has proposed updates to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food across the state. The USDA has proposed a 2.3% increase in SNAP benefits for Hawai‘i, which would result in an estimated $40 monthly increase for a family of four. 

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center invites everyone to get in the holiday spirit through an exciting lineup of festive events throughout December. 

Anessa Riglos, a standout golfer from HP Baldwin High School’s Class of 2025, has signed a letter of intent to play golf at Tennessee State University in Nashville.

The Realtors Association of Maui Community Foundation is now accepting applicants for its annual Presidential Scholarship. Multiple scholarships will be awarded to students applying to, accepted, or currently attending college, university, or trade school. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.

The Maui Humane Society is offering waived and reduced adoption fees for the month of December thanks to the generosity of BISSELL Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell.

The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Hawaiʻi’s first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu (H5N1). The initial case was detected on Nov. 15, in a backyard flock of mixed bird species in Wahiawā, followed by a second case on Nov. 25, in a wild duck on the North Shore.

Here on Maui, 14 months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, there were 180,609 visitors to Maui in October 2024, which was higher than October 2023 (134,493 visitors, +34.3%), but below October 2019 (238,043 visitors, -24.1%). Visitor spending increased to $388.5 million in October 2024, compared to $332.9 million (+16.7%) in October 2023 and $379.8 million (+2.3%) in October 2019.

Servco Pacific Inc. acquired Big Island Toyota’s Hilo and Kona locations today, Dec. 1, 2024.

Kaunoa Senior Service’s Holiday Bingo Blast will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Kaunoa Clubhouse in the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. The Kaunoa Clubhouse will be open from 9 a.m. to noon for those ages 55 years and older. Refreshments will be provided.

Tetsuji “Tets” Yamazaki of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has become the first Maui hotel general manager to be awarded “General Manager of the Year – Resort Property” by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Maui Health announced the selection of Penny Koval, MSN RN, NHA, as the health system’s new Administrator of Critical Access Hospitals. The appointment took effect on Nov. 1, 2024.  As CAH Administrator, Koval oversees all hospital and long-term care operations for both Kula Hospital and Lānaʻi Community Hospital.

The Hex Press presents the return of Maui Comic Con Dec. 7 and 8, Saturday and Sunday at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The convention is a family-friendly event and is always free to the public.

The lower playground at Nāpili Park will temporarily close from Monday, Dec. 2, to Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, while repair and renovation work is done on the park’s irrigation system, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced.

Mākena Golf & Beach Club will host I Ola Kanaloa, a fundraising dinner event honoring local organizations Protect Kahoʻolawe ‘Ohana and Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission for their work towards supporting Kahoʻolawe.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the honorees.  The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mākena Golf & Beach Club’s Nāulu Farm.

An exhibit featuring Hawaiʻi panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will debut on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will be a key component of this year’s World AIDS Day Ceremony. The quilt panels will be on display throughout the month of December. It is the first time in two decades that so many panels will be displayed publicly in Honolulu. 

A partnership involving numerous donors is giving Lahainaluna High School juniors and seniors a red-carpet experience for their year-end proms. The effort continues last year’s prom dress drive initiated by Terri Ewbank, owner of Elly’s Formal Wear & Bridal in Kīhei, and now expanded through her newly formed nonprofit, Angel Hands Maui.

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake occurred 11 miles west-northwest of Volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 13 miles below sea level.  The earthquake occurred at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, south of Maunaloa’s Northeast Rift Zone and is unrelated to magmatic activity, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The HVO reports the earthquake had no apparent impact on either Maunaloa or Kīlauea volcanoes. 

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua welcomes a special holiday edition of the Kapalua Concert Series, featuring renowned hapa-Samoan artist Taimane. The complimentary event will take place on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-9 p.m. at Alaloa Lounge, where Taimane and her band will bring the holiday spirit to life with a captivating performance.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Harm Reduction Services Branch has announced Bryan Chin as the recipient of the 2024 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award. The award will be presented during the annual World AIDS Day ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 1.

The Sierra Club Maui Group is set to host its annual Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Maui Ocean Center’s Sphere, starting at 5:30 p.m.