Maui News
UH: National awards for Hawaiian language production, ‘Hoʻoilina’
A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa play written and directed by a recent alumnus of the Department of Theatre and Dance captured six national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
NOAA Fisheries proposes habitat protection for threatened corals in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
NOAA Fisheries proposes new critical habitat designations for five threatened coral species in the Pacific Islands, focusing on areas essential for coral growth and resilience.
UH: ‘Resurgence’ is Hawaiʻi’s 2023 Word of the Year
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s English Department has chosen ‘resurgence’ as Hawaiʻi’s 2023 Word of the Year, symbolizing the state’s rebound from a global pandemic and the Maui community’s recovery from recent wildfires.
Program will house FEMA-ineligible survivors of Maui wildfires for up to 12 months
The purpose of the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is specifically to help survivors of the Maui wildfires who are not eligible for FEMA assistance. RAP will work to secure housing for up to 12 months for eligible households by connecting them with Airbnb or through the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) Hawai‘i Fire Relief Housing Program.
Operation HOPE continues to support families, businesses affected by Maui wildfires
The national nonprofit Operation HOPE continues to have offices in Kīhei and Lahaina to help survivors and businesses affected by the Maui wildfires.
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union launches 2024 student scholarship applications
This year, HawaiiUSA is awarding two additional scholarships for a total of 22 scholarships at $2,000 each, making the total amount of scholarship money to be distributed $44,000. Since 1990, the credit union has awarded 560 scholarships for a total of $843,500.
Kona low weakening; Piʻilani Hwy remains closed between ʻUlupalakua and Nuʻu
Piʻilani Highway remained closed between ʻUlupalakua and Nuʻu on Friday morning after a kona low resulted in heavy rain and flooding in East Maui on Thursday.
Maui Planning Director Aoki to retire, focus on family after losing home in Lahaina fire
Mayor Richard Bissen today announced the retirement of Planning Director Kathleen Ross Aoki, as she wishes to focus on her family after losing her Lahaina home in the Aug. 8 fire. Her retirement is effective Dec. 31, 2023.
The Sewing Hui transitions from COVID masks to Nutcracker costumes and more
About 40 resident volunteers with The Sewing Hui on Maui have moved on from the COVID days of making masks for the community, to a new era of community work that includes making stockings for keiki wildfire survivors and creating elaborate costumes for the Maui’s arts community.
Maui Disaster Area Residential restrictions lifted for Zones 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D
County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting, beginning Monday, Dec. 4, and Tuesday, Dec. 5, in Zones 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D. Some residential and commercial properties in these zones have been deferred by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for health and safety reasons.
COFA Resource Fair at MEO, Dec. 1
The Compacts of Free Association or “COFA” Community Resource Fair, which features wildfire relief program information and signups and assistance with legal and immigration issues, will be held today, Friday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.
Water service outage and Road closure on L. Kimo Drive.
A road closure and water service outage takes place today from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Lower Kimo Drive in Kula. The affected area is between Haleakalā Highway and Ainakula Rd.
Council to consider mayor’s tax proposal at special council meeting Tuesday
“We are balancing the need for prompt action with the need to ensure the County of Maui retains a strong financial standing, and we look forward to scrutinizing the mayor’s proposal,” said Council Chair Alice Lee.
Kona low brings continued threat of rain, Flash Flood Watch continues
A kona low west of the islands will bring a continued threat for heavy rain and flooding along with isolated thunderstorms today, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS reports that conditions will gradually improve over the weekend with stable trade wind weather expected for the first half of next week.
Hawaiʻi’s monthly siren, emergency alert system test scheduled for Friday
The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.
Red Cross emergency shelter opened at Eddie Tam Memorial Center in Makawao
Eddie Tam Memorial Center in Makawao will open at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, as an emergency shelter for those stranded by the Piʻilani Highway closure in East Maui.
Seabury Hall hosts Common Ground Dance Festival V, Dec. 8 and 9
Seabury Hall Performing Arts presents Common Ground Dance Festival V on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec, 9 at 7 p.m. in the ʻAʻaliʻikūhonua Creative Arts Center the Seabury Hall campus in Makawao.
Update: Owner of grounded commercial fishing sailboat illegally moored in Māʻalaea Bay
The 46-foot Ka Imi Kai commercial fishing sailboat broke loose from its anchor or mooring in Māʻalaea Bay and grounded on Sugar Beach in Kīhei.
Fairmont Kea Lani hosts annual Tree Lighting, launches Tree of Hope Campaign, Dec. 1
The Fairmont Kea Lani’s 32nd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 will kick off the resortʻs 10th annual Tree of Hope Campaign, benefiting the Maui Food Bank’s Aloha Backpack Buddies Program.
West Maui debris mitigation tools prove helpful during recent rains
Tools used to trap ash and debris and filter out potential contaminants before they entered the storm drain system proved helpful, according to the Department of Public Works.
