Maui News

Maui Prep won the boys’ crown, while their West Maui rival, Lahainaluna, took the girls’ division at the first Maui Interscholastic League surf contest of the season, Saturday at D.T. Fleming Beach Park.

After four weeks on strike, nurses and health care professionals represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP)  will return to work Tuesday across Kaiser Permanente facilities in California and Hawai’i. The work stoppage was the largest open-ended strike of registered nurses and health care professionals in United States history, according to the union.  

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has identified a new travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, bringing the total number of dengue cases in the state for 2026 to two. The first case was identified earlier this month on Maui. Both affected individuals were exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Daniel Gluck as an Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Gluck fills the vacancy due to the elevation of the former Associate Judge Karen T. Nakasone to the position of Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in July 2025.

Maui junior tennis players recently competed in the first-ever International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18-and-under tournament held on Maui.

Marine scientists are creating geometric reef modules that mimick the intricate designs coral and oyster reefs to maximize survival.

A study confirms that Homo erectus, the direct ancestor of modern humans, appeared in Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago, about 600,000 years earlier than previous studies indicated.

One of Maui’s brightest young athletes, Victoria Hansen, continues to excel on both the tennis court and on the baseball field. At just 12 years old, Hansen has earned her place among the Top US Tennis Association players in the State of Hawaiʻi for the 12-and-under division, firmly establishing herself as one of Maui’s most accomplished young tennis players.

Esteemed kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole, whose life’s work transformed Native Hawaiian cultural traditions globally, was honored in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, underscoring her far-reaching influence in hula and Hawaiian values.

From 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27 to 3:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, there will be intermittent holds of traffic of around 10 minutes on the highway in Ukumehame. The traffic holds will allow crews to replace and adjust the barriers on the makai shoulder of the highway.

Two recruits joined the ranks of the County of Maui Ocean Safety Officers during a graduation ceremony on Friday. Kelson Lau and Kevin Smallwood completed the 12-week-long training program that covered not only an extensive variety of ocean rescue skills, but also Emergency Medical Responder and CPR skills, ATV/UTV and RWC operation, and communication protocols.

Among this year’s Huakaʻi Awards honorees is David Sellers who is credited with helping to mobilize resources and advocate for families facing loss following the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

The community is invited to attend the 2026 State of the County Address, which will be presented by Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Doors open at 4 p.m.

The Flood Advisory for the island of Maui was canceled at 1:29 p.m. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. for Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Molokaʻi.

TSA PreCheck remains available at Hawai‘i airports. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has been advised by US Customs and Border Protection that the Global Entry lanes are closed until further notice.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Kīpahulu in East Maui until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. The system is brining wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announces the return of its popular Nashville Nights songwriter series, unveiling a thoughtfully curated lineup of celebrated country artists and singer-songwriters who will bring the art of storytelling from Music City to Maui’s oceanfront stage for the third consecutive year.

Prospective international students can now learn about the world-class education and unique opportunities at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in their own language.

US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i secured $2 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for construction of the new Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae homeless village. The funding will be used to construct water, sewer and road infrastructure for the permanent supportive site that will house 250 homeless individuals and provide wraparound services. 

Recently, more than 30 students participated in planting 15 trees and transplanting over 100 saplings, which will be cared for by agricultural students until they are ready to be donated to homeowners engaged in rebuilding efforts.