Maui News

The disaster left all the restaurants’ 120 employees without jobs, and at least 60 of them also lost their homes and vehicles. Determined to help their Maui ʻohana, the Corpuels set up a GoFundMe campaign that has since raised over $150,000 in support of employees and their families.

The new Atelier Art Gallery in Kīhei celebrates its opening on Dec. 28 with a “Chromascapes” art exhibition and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Holiday Lane Closure Restriction runs from Monday, Dec. 18, through Tuesday, Jan. 2. Only closures with demonstrated need (e.g., necessary for safety or to avoid lengthy construction delays) have been approved and are on this list. There will be no lane closures on Monday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day.

In observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, County of Maui offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

In observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, County of Maui disaster-related resources will have a modified schedule. 

Artists are welcome to submit entries to the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife in the 2024-25 Hawai‘i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp annual art contest. The wildlife conservation stamp is a requirement for Hawai‘i state hunting licensees. The game bird stamp is required for anyone intending to hunt game birds. Both stamps will also be available to stamp collectors.  

In exchange for two years of full-time service in Hawaiʻi, high-demand healthcare professionals will qualify for loan repayments up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. The eligible amount varies depending on the profession, location of practice, and educational indebtedness.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors has approved an immediate six-month action plan for 2024 to help address major challenges confronting residents, small businesses, visitor industry providers, Maui’s economy, and families seeking housing following the August wildfires.

Fairmont Kea Lani announced the grand opening of Hale Kukuna, a living space dedicated to sharing Hawaiian culture with all. Unveiled through a Moku Ka Piko ceremony led by the resort’s manager of Hawaiian culture, Kamahiwa Kawaʻa, and Kumu Luana Kawaʻa, Hale Kukuna opened on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

FEMA will pause operations at the Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center on Maui and the FEMA Helpline on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The Maui Relief TANF Program has provided an array of assistance – from housing to clothing – to more than 450 families with children and about 1,700 individuals impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires in the two months since the program began.

State and federal responders have completed recovery and removal operations in or adjacent to Lahaina Harbor. The US Army Corps of Engineers will conduct final disposition of fire-damaged vessels and incident-generated debris removed during harbor operations.

The Maui Farmer Network offers Farmer Navigational Coaching to small and beginning regenerative farmers across Maui County. In 2024, MFN will continue coaching and supporting about 45 farmers on a regular basis. Entering its 3rd year of programming, MFN is supported by funding from the County of Maui’s newly formed Department of Agriculture, and the Atherton Family Foundation.

In the wake of the challenges posed by the wildfires, Maui Public Art Corps collaborated with students across the region to channel their emotions and reflections into a powerful visual representation of unity and strength. “The result is a vibrant collection of drawings that encapsulate the indomitable spirit of the Maui community,” organizers said.

The Sentry announced a complimentary ticket program in partnership with SERVPRO for first responders on Maui. The initiative aims to offer a day of community spirit to acknowledge the service and commitment of these workers following the Aug. 8 wildfires. Local first responders are invited to The Plantation Course at Kapalua from Jan. 4-7 for the PGA TOUR’s season-opening event.

Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center opened a new exhibit honoring the legacy of Lānaʻi’s Japanese community. Kodomo no tame ni (translated as for the sake of the children) features more than 30 artifacts and 25 photos from its vast archive, offering a first-hand glimpse of pieces from the island’s Japanese families.

The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau announced that its longtime president and CEO John Monahan will step down effective Dec. 31, 2023, after serving as the organization’s top leader since 2003. Tom Mullen, HVCB’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, will serve as interim president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2024.

In direct response to the estimated 2,430 families or 6,283 individuals who are still in need of housing after being displaced by the Maui wildfires, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement announced today that it has launched a new centralized housing website. HelpingMaui.org will help survivors find housing, while also serving as a platform for property owners and managers to offer their properties to survivors.

The County of Maui aims to make it easier for residents to request and receive public records in accordance with Hawai’i law, thanks to software technology modernization, the county Department of the Corporation Counsel announced today.

Maui Pineapple Tour announces a special collaboration with Maui Reef Adventures presenting a $150 Holiday Give Back Package. This unique package combines the Maui Pineapple Tour with Maui Reef Adventures’ Whale Watch, all while contributing to Maui Food Bank.