Maui News

With strong support from a majority of members of the state House of Representatives, Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura assumed the role of speaker of the House effective Nov. 6, 2024, making history as the first woman to hold this position in the state of Hawaiʻi.

Gov. Josh Green is giving state employees 16 hours of paid administrative leave “in recognition of the upcoming holiday season,” according to an announcement from the Office of the Governor.

To maintain reliable service, Hawaiian Electric crews will be conducting overnight equipment upgrades on Honoapi‘ilani Highway between mile markers 7 and 8 between Māʻalaea Bay Place to the McGregor Point and Lighthouse heading towards West Maui starting Tuesday, Nov. 12 to Friday, Nov. 22, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., daily.

Binhi at Ani will be holding its annual Bayanihan Food Distribution with a drive-through event beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 16 at Lahaina Intermediate School.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., joined key supporters and partners to announce the launch of the inaugural Hawai‘i High School Girls Flag Football season, set to kick off this spring. A check presentation ceremony Thursday in the governor’s Ceremonial Room recognized the donors who made the season possible, particularly the Las Vegas Raiders, who contributed $25,000

Public comments are due Nov. 22 on a draft environmental assessment for a proposed Department of Hawaiian Home Lands agricultural lot subdivision on Molokaʻi.

Last week, voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa arrived at Keauhou last week after spending a few days at the historic Hawaiian fishing village of Miloliʻi and on the bay off the shores of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. During the two-week visit to Hawaiʻi Island, the crew is engaging with communities and schools. This weekend, Hōkūleʻa will head to Kawaihae, the last stop on west Moku O Keawe during the Statewide Pae ʻĀina Voyage.

Maui Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. wrote a letter to Board of Land and Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang, urging her to hold off on holding a contested case hearing on the disposition of an East Maui Water License, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. Bissen said talks have already begun between the parties and he wants both sides to have the full opportunity to resolve the issue amicably.

Lahainaluna Road will officially reopen for unrestricted public access at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, according to an announcement from the County of Maui.

Maui Economic Opportunity has received more than $27,000 in private gifts since August—led by a nearly $20,000 donation from Servco—to assist those impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

A joint informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. The purpose of this joint informational briefing is for Hawaiian Electric Company to present its Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which was ordered by the Public Utilities Commission.

In Kahului, the average price is $4.57, which is six cents lower than last week and 24 cents lower than a year ago.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division announced that it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red” to “green,” meaning sewer service is now active for 15 properties including: one lot on Kaili Place, six lots near Kopili and Kuhua streets, and eight lots near Mall Place and Ainakea Road.

Maui health care workers returned to work on Thursday after a three-day strike, conducted in an effort to shine light on issues surrounding staffing and wages.

Gina Young was sworn in Wednesday as the first director of the East Maui Regional Water Authority. The Maui County Council voted Oct. 25 to approve her appointment to the position, following her unanimous selection by the East Maui Regional Community Board or ʻAha Wai o Maui Hikina Regional Community Board.

Autumn Ness and Ka‘i Niles will be the speakers at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset on Tuesday, Nov. 19. They will share information on the Lahaina Community Land Trust’s efforts to Keep Lahaina Lands in Lahaina.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a semi-autonomous state agency, is made up of nine elected officials who serve four-year terms.

To foster responsible tourism and strengthen the connection between visitors and Hawai‘i’s natural resources, the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau launched the Mālama Hawaiʻi initiative in 2020. Visitors can enjoy benefits like special discounts or even a free night’s stay at participating hotels when they give back through these volunteer opportunities.

A new exhibit will be on display at the Schaefer International Gallery from Nov. 12 through Dec. 28, 2024.

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi announced Senate leadership and committee chairs for the upcoming 33rd Legislative Biennium 2025 through 2026.