Maui News

The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted unanimously to issue an after-the-fact revocable permit to Nā ʻAikāne o Maui, Inc. (NAOMI) for its Community Resource Center, which was destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires. In its vote on Friday, June 28, the board also voted to change the rent from $40 per month to gratis (free).

A swarm of earthquakes that began June 27 at the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano — just southeast of the summit region — abated on Monday, according to a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory daily status report given at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The Maui Tenants and Workers Association (MTWA), a project of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center (HWC), held a press conference urging Governor Josh Green to extend the Emergency Proclamation on Wildfires for Maui set to expire today.

Interim housing sites include 450 modular homes under construction at Ka Laʻi Ola in West Maui, and 150 units at Hale ‘O Lā‛ie (formerly the Haggai Institute in Kīhei).

Update: The Ukumehame brush fire was declared 75% contained by nightfall on Tuesday. A Maui Fire Department crew remained on scene throughout the night to monitor the area. Emergency managers say the fire was initially reported as being in Olowalu, but was updated to better reflect the area of Ukumehame, further south.

Ke Ola Hou Resiliency Center will be dedicated to providing comprehensive services to aid in the physical, mental and emotional recovery of individuals and families affected by the fires.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) announced the launch of its two newest Community Tourism Collaborative (CTC) programs: the Community Stewardship Program and the Regenerative Experiences Program. Modeled after the traditional regenerative water system of Hawaiʻi, these programs aim to support and enhance the efforts of organizations dedicated to revitalizing and preserving Hawaiʻi’s sacred spaces and creating sustainable visitor experiences.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., on Monday signed 16 key bills to enhance the protection and care of Hawaiʻi’s keiki and kūpuna and to ensure safety in Hawaiʻi’s schools. 

To maintain reliable service, Hawaiian Electric crews will be making routine equipment upgrades using bucket trucks along Honoapi‘ilani Highway between mile markers 12 and 13 near Ukumehame Beach Park in the West Maui area on Monday, July 8, impacting area traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No service interruptions are planned for this work. 

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed another travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu. The individual traveled to a region where dengue is known to be spread.  So far in 2024, there have been six confirmed travel-related dengue cases identified in the state (one on Maui, five on Oʻahu). 

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch, has awarded the contracts for ground ambulance services on Kauaʻi and Maui to International Life Support, Inc., which is widely recognized as American Medical Response (AMR).

The County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Maui will host an open house at its new office at Lahaina Gateway on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. The open house is being held in lieu of the weekly County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting.

Lori Tsuhako was sworn in today as County of Maui Director of Human Concerns, a new department that launched July 1, 2024. Also today, Jessica Crouse was named the Deputy Director of Human Concerns, and Paul Barany was sworn in as the Deputy Director of Public Works. Deputy directors are not subject to council approval. 

Hawaiian Electric’s presentation will include information on general timing and cost components for various Maui projects and programs including: the planned Kahului Power Plant closure, proposed Mā‘alaea Power Plant unit retirements, status of new generation projects, current reserve margins, future infrastructure and reliability improvements, and Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff changes.

The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization has released its draft 2025-2028(+2) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), with more than 60 fiscally constrained transportation projects that are prioritized for funding. The public is invited to review the list on mauimpo.org and share their feedback online or at upcoming events in July.

The new fiscal year begins today, July 1. “Our housing crisis, exacerbated by the fires, remains a top priority for all elected officials and administrators,” said Council Chair Alice Lee, pointing to a report that indicates more than 4,000 residents have already left Maui in search of housing elsewhere. “We must take care of and protect our families,” she said.

Today marks the first day of two new departments within Maui County — the departments of Housing and ʻŌiwi Resources; both established by voters via charter amendments in November 2022.

Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) stopped two men after observing them allegedly using a spotlight for hunting purposes on Thompson Road, a public road that runs through private property owned by the Oprah Winfrey Ranch.

In a PSPS Hawaiian Electric will preemptively shut off power to high-risk areas in the event of extreme weather conditions, in an effort to help keep the public safe. Customers are urged to prepare for emergencies and the possibility of extended power outages during periods of high winds and dry conditions.

The primary objective of ArtCentered is to offer consistent and compassionate art therapy services to fire survivors and the community at large. The positive impact of art on mental health has been evident at their locations, including Honokōwai Beach Park and Royal Lahaina Resort, according to organizers.