Maui News

Two post-impact shelters are now open due to extended power outages across the Big Island in the wake of Hurricane Hone. Hawaiʻi County has opened these shelters under their guidelines and requested that the American Red Cross staff them with the purpose of serving those who have been without power since the storm’s passing over the weekend.

Sacred Hearts School principal Tonata Lolesio will be the speaker at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Lolesio will share information about “Sacred Hearts School — A Year of Unity, Faith Resilience and Hope since the Lahaina fires.”

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with federal, state, and local partners, announced that debris removal on the last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina is underway. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Personal Property Debris Removal Program, as all residential properties will be cleared months ahead of the original January 2025 deadline—a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the teams involved.

Kū Mai Ka Hula (“Hula Appears”) returns to the Castle Theater for its 17th annual event Sept. 14 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) as Maui’s premier annual competition – and Maui’s only adult hula competition. A related presentation and discussion, The Uluwehi Project, will take place Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater. Tickets for both events are on sale now online only at MauiArts.org.

Mākena Golf & Beach Club will host Ulu Mai he Wai, a fundraising dinner event honoring local organizations, Kula Community Watershed Alliance, Uhiwai O Haleakalā, and Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership, for their work towards supporting Mauiʻs watersheds.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the honorees.  The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Mākena Golf & Beach Club’s Nāulu Farm.

Lahaina homeowners impacted by the August 2023 wildfire are encouraged to attend the County of Maui Office of Recovery’s Homeowners Webinar on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric crews continue work to restore power to the remaining customers impacted by Tropical Storm Hone. As of 10:30 a.m., 1,902 remained without power on the Big Island, 92 were without power in Upcountry Maui, and 62 customers were without power on Oʻahu.

The LahainaTown Action Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development will host their next Kōkua for Maui Shop Local and Show Aloha event on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. This special event brings together the community and visitors in support of Lahaina’s resilient local businesses.

Some 514 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and related items were turned in on Saturday at O‘ahu’s second gun buyback event. Individuals turning in firearms received a total of 531 gift cards valued at $5,310.

The University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly (UHPA), which represents faculty at all 10 University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide, partnered with AFT and First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise, to give away new, award-winning books through its Reading Opens the World program.

Hone weakened from a hurricane into a tropical storm and continued on a path westward away from the Hawaiian Islands overnight. The National Weather Service is forecasting a return of typical trade wind weather through much of the week before Hurricane Gilma weakens on its approach to the islands later this week.

Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School and Nā‘ālehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff on Monday, Aug. 26, due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center has announced “Forest Flutters: A Bird-Day Party,” a free-to-the-public event in collaboration with the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) geared to families and their children between two and seven years old.

The County of Maui Department of Liquor Control’s front office counter, located at 110 Alaʻihi Street, Room 212, Kahului, will be closed for renovations from August 26 to 30, 2024.

Tournament officials from The Sentry today announced ticket options for the 2025 event when the first signature event of the PGA TOUR regular season returns to the Plantation Course from Jan. 2-5.

Hawaiian Electric crews continue work to restore power to the remaining customers impacted by Tropical Storm Hone.

The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help with any information on the whereabouts of Marina Bonofiglio, 33, of Kahului. Bonofiglio was reported missing on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, by a friend after she called for a ride from the area of Pūlehu Road in Kahului, approximately 0.1 mile northwest of the Central Maui Landfill at approximately 4 a.m.  Upon their arrival, Bonofiglio’s friends were unable to locate her, but they did find her personal belongings, including her cell phone, along the side of the road.  A search was conducted in the immediate area where Bonofiglio’s property was found; however, there were no signs of her, according to police.

A new video game design competition with $100,000 in prize money up for grabs challenges K-12 students to combine technology and imagination.

Despite having the most vacation rental units in the state, Maui County’s demand and occupancy were down double-digits compared to last year and 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report for July by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.

In August 1999 youth leader Joyce Kawakami accidentally founded a food program when she noticed some of her students were hungry and had no food at home. Despite sneaking groceries to these students to protect their privacy, they shared this act of kindness with other families in need who began coming for help also. Weekly food distributions became a regular part of life for the Kawakami family. Over 25 years Feed My Sheep grew from feeding six families to 350 families every week.