Maui News
Gov. Green signs bill to clarify counties’ authority in regulating short-term rentals
Gov. Josh Green followed through on his pledge to sign Senate Bill 2919, clarifying the counties’ authority to regulate short-term rentals. Mayor Richard Bissen has already moved ahead with introducing a bill to phase-out thousands of short-term rentals to open up long-term housing for residents.
Houseless man arrested during cleanup at Kahului Boat Harbor
Officers arrested a houseless man this morning on three charges during the second day of a cleanup operation at Kahului Boat Harbor. Authorities with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources say the man resisted arrest and attempted to flee. An officer used a taser to control the suspect and to take him into custody, according to department reports.
Legislature passes Silver Alert bill to protect vulnerable community members
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 2305 SD2 HD2 CD1 to establish a Silver Alert Program to help locate and safeguard missing persons who are particularly vulnerable, including community members who are elderly or are cognitively impaired or developmentally disabled.
Gov. Green lowers flags to honor the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
This action is taken to honor the 89 firefighters who died in 2023 and the 137 firefighters who died in previous years. One of the firefighters died in the line of duty was Tre’ Evans-Dumaran from the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.
Youth surfers to compete in 20th Menehune Mayhem at Hoʻokipa this weekend
The 20th Annual Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem, a free two day surf contest for Maui’s youth ages 15 years old and younger, is taking place at Hoʻokipa Beach Park all-day Saturday and Sunday.
Bissen is third mayor to sign Year of the Forest Bird Proclamation
Maui Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. signed a proclamation to recognize 2024 as Ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele, Year of The Forest Birds, on Wednesday. This action follows Gov. Josh Green, M.D.’s proclamation in January and county proclamations on Hawaiʻi Island on Feb. 1, and on Kaua‘i on March 11.
Council gives initial approval for Molokaʻi Education Center expansion
Maui County Council members voted unanimously this morning to approve land use measures on first reading for expansion of the University of Hawaiʻi, Maui College’s plans for a new 3,300-square-foot classroom building at the Molokaʻi Education Center in Kaunakakai.
MYPO Concert and Kahului Elementary School Strings, May 4
The Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra will open their Spring Concert 2024 with members of the newly formed Kahului School String Orchestra Beginning Strings Class (fourth graders) joining the MYPO Beginning Strings Class performing Dance of the Strings and Jazz of the Open Strings, both composed by JiYoung Um, as well as the traditional French Folk Song.
Plans for $1 billion fiber-optic undersea cable network unveiled
Internet reliability and worldwide connectivity are expected to be enhanced with a $1 billion project to create a new fiber-optic undersea cable network, according to an announcement from Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, leader of Connect Kākou, Hawaiʻi’s high-speed internet initiative, and Benji Robinson, director of Asia Pacific Network Planning and Acquisition for Google.
Gov. Green establishes Climate Advisory Team to develop resilience policy
Gov. Josh Green, M.D. announced the inauguration of the Climate Advisory Team (CAT). This newly formed committee, comprising experts and stakeholders, is dedicated to tackling the challenges of climate disasters and providing a comprehensive roadmap for the state’s strategy to mitigate the financial impact of climate change.
Fire at commercial building in Wailuku causes $25,000 in damage
A fire at a commercial structure in Wailuku on Thursday afternoon was confined to a second floor unit. The fire was reported at 1:51 p.m. on May 2, at a building on Hoʻokahi Street.
Hawaiʻi visitor spins the wheel and wins $114,000 Blackjack payout
Visiting downtown Las Vegas from Hawaiʻi, Jade stopped by Fremont Hotel and Casino and scored a life-changing jackpot on AGS’ Bonus Spin Blackjack Progressive.
Heightened unrest at summit region of Kīlauea Volcano
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued an information statement on Thursday night saying the summit region of Kīlauea is currently experiencing heightened unrest, but no eruptive activity.
1,300 kupuna receive coupons for fresh produce; SFMNP application period closes for this year
More than 1,300 kupuna 60 years and older who met the income requirement have or will be receiving 10 $5 coupons, totaling $50, to exchange for unprocessed locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from an authorized farmer or farmers market.
County real property tax sale of delinquent properties set for May 21
The County of Maui Department of Finance will hold a real property tax sale on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, to auction off properties that have been delinquent for three or more years and have received a final notice of tax sale. The sale will continue on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, if necessary.
Lahaina Strong begins de-occupation of ‘Fishing for Dignified Housing’ site in Kāʻanapali
After 175 days, the Lahaina Strong group announced its end to the occupation of Kāʻanapali Beach as part of its Fishing for Dignified Housing initiative.
Gov. Green approves $385.4M emergency appropriations for Maui wildfire relief
Gov. Josh Green, M.D. signed Senate Bill 582 into law on Thursday, allocating $385.4 million in emergency appropriations to support relief efforts on Maui, following the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires. This funding package includes provisions to assist efforts by the state and the County of Maui to support families and individuals impacted by the August 2023 wildfires, as well as bolstering the state’s One ʻOhana Fund.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announces bill to phase out vacation rentals in apartment districts
Thousands of short-term vacation rental apartments could begin switching to long-term housing for residents as early as July 1, 2025, for West Maui, and Jan. 1, 2026, for the rest of Maui County in a proposed measure announced today by Mayor Richard Bissen.
Second lawsuit filed by environmental groups to protect Hawaiian petrels at Maui resort
A coalition of conservation groups today filed a second lawsuit to protect endangered Hawaiian petrels (ʻuaʻu) from lights at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. Today’s lawsuit was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi and the Center for Biological Diversity.
Hawaiʻi Community Lending announces Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program
Hawaiʻi Community Lending announces a new Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. This three-year program will assist up to 500 owner-occupant Lahaina homeowners prevent foreclosure and qualify for financing to rebuild their homes.
