Maui News

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is monitoring a positive wastewater sample for the measles virus, the first-ever wastewater detection of the virus for Maui County. The samples were collected Nov. 18, 2025, at two sites in Central and West Maui County, and tested through the National Wastewater Surveillance System. The virus detected is the naturally occurring type that spreads from person to person, not the weakened form used in vaccines. No suspected measles cases have been identified on Maui.

Colby will assume the position Dec. 8, just three months after becoming Hawaiʻi’s chief state economist. 

A live opossum was spotted at a car dealership on Maui yesterday afternoon and was put down by officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Episode 37 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 2:30 p.m. HST on Nov. 25, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Sustained lava fountains approximately 400 feet (120 meters) in height are currently erupting from the north vent. Fountain heights are increasing rapidly.

Update: 10:34 p.m., Nov. 26, 2025: Brown-Kaimiola was located and found to be in good health. The Maui Police Department thanked the public for their assistance

The Maui County Council failed to reach a majority decision Tuesday afternoon in appointing a successor to the late Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, effectively handing the selection authority to Mayor Richard Bissen.

As peak travel season ramps up, Transportation Security Administration officers statewide are preparing for a surge in carry-on bag inspections — and the growing pile of prohibited items travelers leave behind. But what actually happens to those items after they’re surrendered at the airport?

Maui Health has announced the promotion of Penny Koval, MSN RN, NHA, to vice president, assistant CEO and Critical Access Hospitals administrator.

US Rep. Jill Tokuda has introduced new legislation that would repeal what she described as counterproductive “emergency” tariffs imposed during the Trump administration on key Indo-Pacific partners.

The West Coast Health Alliance and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health are reaffirming their strong recommendation that children receive routine vaccinations, following recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website that raised concerns among some health experts.

Maui County produces about $103.7 million in agricultural goods each year, according to a new Farm Flavor analysis that ranks agricultural output across nearly 3,000 US counties and all 50 states.

Two Maui men — ages 18 and 20 — were rescued while hiking in Haleakalā National Park on Sunday. The alarm was received at 1:10 a.m. when firefighters were dispatched to respond to two hikers who were out of water and cold in the area of the Palikū cabin.

Maui firefighters responded to a rubbish fire off the Kūihelani Highway in Central Maui on Sunday. The incident was reported at 8:28 a.m. on Nov. 23.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. on Black Friday, when the first 100 guests will receive a limited-edition Queen Kaʻahumanu Center gift.

The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) has announced the graduation of the 2025 cohort of Kuleana Academy, a nonpartisan leadership and candidate training program designed to cultivate community-rooted leaders committed to equity, sustainability and good governance across the islands.

The Maui County Council has advanced a plan to secure nearly $64.5 million in low-interest state loans for water infrastructure projects needed as part of recovery from the disastrous August 2023 wildfires.

Maui residents may start making appointments Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, for the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s free Residential Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Central Maui. Appointments close Jan. 6, 2026.

A special encore screening of the “Hui Mo‘olelo: Lahaina Film Festival” — a beloved collection of animated short films that honor Lahaina history, culture, and enduring community will take place on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the ProArts Playhouse in Kīhei.

Kiara Goold and Finn McGill claimed wins Saturday in pumping 8- to 12-foot surf at the HTA Sunset Pro, a men’s and women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event featuring many of Hawaiʻi and Tahiti Nui’s top rising talents.

Open enrollment for the Individual Marketplace is underway. The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division advises eligible residents to visit HealthCare.gov to review and compare Health Insurance Marketplace plans.