Maui News
Rate increase will bring in $8 million per year to feed Hawaiʻi’s keiki
The US Department of Agriculture this week announced that Hawaiʻi’s reimbursement rates for school lunch and other federal child nutrition programs will be increased by 13%.
Survey: resident sentiment toward tourism recovering after prolonged downturn
Of those who disagreed that tourism has brought more benefits than problems, the opportunities for improvement include addressing issues such as overcrowding, environmental damage, and no respect for culture/tradition/‘āina.
Video call with astronaut Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman in space
US Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i joined in hosting a video call between Members of Congress and NASA Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann – the first Native American woman in space – from the International Space Station.
Council adopts resolution seeking recognition of emergency dispatchers as first responders
Resolution 23-29, FDI states that, although 911 emergency services dispatchers are not physically at the scene of emergencies, they often face job-related stress. Information gathered and communicated by the dispatchers can mean the difference between positive and negative outcomes in an array of emergency situations, said Council member Sugimura.
Hawaiian Telcom raises $13,343 for Maui United Way
Hawaiian Telcom ran their annual campaign with the employees contributing $2,843 and Hawaiian Telcom adding $10,500 to bring it to a total of $13,343 for Maui United Way’s 2022-2023 campaign.
Kīhei power outage leaves 3,000 South Maui customers in the dark
Crews with Hawaiian Electric Company on Maui are responding to a power outage in South Maui. Residents from the Kaonoulu Estates subdivision in North Kīhei and nearby neighborhoods report the outage started at around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.
$195,000 awarded to Maui County for medical outreach for unsheltered homeless
The County of Maui was among approximately 30 states and 173 local homelessness programs across the nation that were awarded a total of $315 million in funding to address unsheltered individuals and families with severe service needs.
Growers enlist international company to verify origin of Hawaiʻi macadamia nut products
Consumers purchasing products with packaging that may imply the products are made with Hawai‘i-grown macadamia nuts will soon be able to tell if what they are buying is actually the real deal.
Additional hearings announced for proposed Maui Nui forest additions and rule changes
Two additional hearings have been scheduled for Maui and Moloka‘i for people to comment on a proposal to protect nearly 100 unencumbered state land parcels across Hawai‘i as part of the State Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries systems.
Maui County testifiers passionate over freedom to choose birth practitioner
Fervent testifiers over many hours at Maui County Council sought the freedom to choose birth practitioners regardless of licensure status. Apprenticeship-trained midwives would be criminalized after July 1 — when the current exemption expires — if the state doesn’t approve pending legislation.
Power surge likely a contributing factor to fuel spill at Haleakalā, official expresses remorse
Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, commander of the US Space Forces Indo-Pacific, said equipment failed in a “catastrophic way,” and said a power surge during severe weather reported last weekend, was a likely contributing factor.
Child Safety Seat Inspection Event
In June 2022, the State of Hawaiʻi updated the Child Passenger Restraint Law. A child safety seat inspection event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kīhei Police Station.
Sponsors sought for Summer Food Service Program
The US Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program is seeking sponsor organizations on all islands to help provide children in low-income communities with free meals during the summer months. The SFSP provides nutritious meals that help children to learn, play, and grow during the summer break when many schools are not in session.
New mysterious viruses infecting hibiscus on Oʻahu discovered by UH researchers
Two new viruses are infecting hibiscus plants in Hawaiʻi and they could pose a threat to the state flower, the yellow hibiscus, according to researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Some Pukalani customers to be affected by water shutoff, Feb. 7
A portion of customers in the Pukalani area will have their water shut off from approximately 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, while work is done on the County of Maui water system.
Gov. Green to attend President Biden’s State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C.
Gov. Green will attend President Joseph Biden’s State of the Union Address, meet with members of Hawai‘i’s Congressional Delegation and will attend the National Governors Association Winter Meeting.
Maui dog kennels are over-capacity, urgent request made for SOS Fosters
Maui Humane Society currently has 105 dogs in their care–that’s well beyond the kennel capacity of 40 dogs at the facility.
Maui Obituaries: Week Ending Feb. 6, 2023
Maui Obituaries for the week ending Feb. 6, 2023. May they rest in peace.
No-cost oral health services for public school students expand to Maui
As part of its expansion to the neighboring islands, the Hawai‘i Keiki––Hawai‘i Dental Service (HDS) Dental Sealant Program developed a partnership with dentists Emi Orikasa and Steven McDaniel at Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Inc. Under the partnership, the dentists are participating in a community-wide effort to provide better oral healthcare access to public school keiki in Maui County.
US Sen. Schatz calls for stronger Red Hill closure consent order, more public input
US Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i today called on the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency to strengthen its proposed consent order on the closure of Red Hill to include more input from Hawai‘i residents.
