Maui News

Head Start staffer Maile Fevella was named Maui Economic Opportunity Employee of the Month. Part of her job is to fill in at Head Start sites in Central, West and Upcountry Maui and Haʻikū when there are staffing shortages.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce has announced nominees for the 2024 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, which will be held on Sept. 19.

The Kula Community Association (KCA) hosts a Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kula Community Center. This event will feature candidates running for Senate, House, and Maui County Council offices covering nine races. The event offers a platform for candidates to present their views and respond to questions.

Maui Tropix Surf Co. raised and donated $100,000 to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. The funds will go towards ongoing wildfire relief and recovery following the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

For some, the refurbished laptop given to them at no cost was their first computer. For others, the laptops replaced ones burned in the wildfires.

Released by Ulupono Initiative and Coltura, the paper focuses on these superusers, which account for approximately 65,000, or 6.8%, of the state’s drivers. The superusers have extensive and costly driving habits, often exceeding 40,000 miles annually, compared to the non-superusers average of 8,500 miles annually. Collectively, these superusers consume nearly 26% of Hawaiʻi’s gasoline.

Today, Maui United Way announced that Jason Economou is now serving as President and CEO of the organization.  Economou is a local attorney and nonprofit professional with a long history of community service and philanthropy.

Hawaiian Electric is in the process of notifying customers nearing the end of their seven-year enrollment period in certain company legacy rooftop solar export programs that they will soon be transitioned to the new Smart Renewable Energy program.

A warehouse fire on Lānaʻi caused $450,000 in damage to a structure located at 1311 Fraser Ave. in Lānaʻi City early Tuesday morning. Insurance estimates put damages at $6 million to $8 million in damage to the business, which was being utilized as a laundry facility.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is declaring a Stage 1 water shortage for the Central Maui System, effective today. The Central Maui service area includes Waiheʻe, Waiehu, Wailuku, Kahului, Spreckelsville, Pāʻia, Kūʻau, Māʻalaea, Kīhei, Wailea and Mākena.  The Department is implementing Stage 1 of its Water Shortage and Conservation Plan to reduce water demand by 10%.

DOH has received reports of acute gastrointestinal illness (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) from 24 people who have hiked the Kalalau Trail since Aug. 14. One was evacuated but no one has been hospitalized.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced a $2.128 million grant to the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. The total award amount comprises $1 million from HCF’s Maui Strong Fund and $1.128 million donated by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. The new trucks will have the ability to drive off-pavement, allowing crews to better reach wildfires early and prevent them from spreading.

Festivals of Aloha has announced its 2024 theme, “Ka Laʻi o Hauola – The Calm of Hauola,” honoring the revered Pōhakuohauola (Hauola Stone) of Lahaina, a historic symbol of healing and restoration. As Maui Nui communities continue to recover from the devastating wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023, this year’s theme reflects the collective hope for peace and comfort, echoing the stone’s ancient legacy of health and renewal, organizers said.

An online workshop for volunteer coordinators in Maui County will cover topics including trends in volunteerism and strategies for attracting volunteers.

Haleakalā National Park celebrates National Wilderness Month in September, and commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

Survey observations using the Subaru Telescope’s ultra-widefield prime focus camera have revealed that there may be a population of small bodies further out in the Kuiper Belt waiting to be discovered. The results, which are important for understanding the formation of the Solar System, were obtained through an international collaboration between the Subaru Telescope and the New Horizons spacecraft traveling through the outer Solar System.

Two speed bumps will be installed on Keawa Place, between Hāna Highway (Route 360) and Uakea Road, in Hāna town, to address the community’s concerns of speeding in the area.

Bacon Universal announced the launch of Bacon Rentals, a new division dedicated to providing best-in-class equipment rentals, further enhancing the company’s longstanding commitment to the Hawaiʻi market.

The Hana Hou Hospitality brand opens Coco Deck Lahaina, Kitchen + Bar this week, led by Chef Alvin Savella, “The Kitchen Assassin.” Coco Deck Lahaina hosts a soft opening for Maui residents  on Sept. 4 and 5; and an official grand opening on Sept. 7.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today announced the appointment of Brig. Gen. Phillip L. Mallory as the next Deputy Adjutant General for the state of Hawaiʻi, Department of Defense. He will succeed Brig. Gen. Stephen Logan on Oct. 1, 2024. Mallory currently is the commander of the 154th Wing, Hawaiʻi Air National Guard which operates out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.