Maui News
‘Historic’ HUD package will send $3M to Maui and Kauaʻi to help curb homelessness
Maui and Kauaʻi are among two areas that will receive millions from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in a new $315-million effort to combat homelessness, according to an announcement today by Marcia L. Fudge, HUD secretary.
Marine debris ingested by 60-ton sperm whale believed to be a contributing cause of death
“In addition to squid beaks, fish skeletons and other prey remains, we found at least six hagfish traps and we also found significant amounts of at least seven types of fishing net, at least two types of plastic bags, a light protector, fishing line and a float from a net. We did find a number of things in the stomach of the sperm whale that may have contributed to its death and are certainly disturbing,” said Dr. Kristi West, the Health and Stranding Lab Director.
Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch maintenance in Kīhei starts Feb. 13
The nonprofit Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is working in Hapapa watershed to remove sediment that has accumulated in Kūlanihākoʻi gulch before it reaches the ocean. The organization reports that the effort is part of its ongoing work to improve ocean water quality and prevent the smothering of coral in Māʻalaea Bay.
Nightly closure of Piʻilani between Kaonoulu and Piʻikea, Feb. 6-8 for roundabout paving
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will close Piʻilani Highway nightly in both directions between Kaonoulu Street and Piʻikea Avenue from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, through 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Council to consider resolution protecting traditional and indigenous birth attendant practices
“This is an initiative that promotes families’ rights to bodily autonomy and medical freedom,” said Ki‘inaniokalani Kaho‘ohanohano, founder of Mālama Nā Pua o Haumea, a kanaka maoli traditional birth organization on Maui. “State licensure leads to undermining the credible birthing practices and erasure of indigenous and traditional midwifery knowledge passed down for generations, which have been around longer than the model of midwifery that treats birthing as a business.”
Entangled subadult humpback whale freed of gear off Hawaiʻi Island
A subadult humpback whale was freed from a life-threatening entanglement of rope and buoys during a NOAA-led team response on Tuesday off Hawaiʻi Island’s Kona coast.
Stabbing in Wailea reportedly started as an argument over parking and escalated
A 29-year-old Kīhei man is recovering from a stab wound after an argument over parking escalated into a physical altercation in Wailea Tuesday night, police said.
Astronomers shed new light on the amount of dark matter in the universe
The updated analysis shows there is six times as much dark matter in the universe compared to visible matter — a finding that was already well-known. However, the team also found that the matter is not as clumpy as previously expected when compared to the current best model of the universe.
700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at Maui Space Surveillance Complex at Haleakalā
An estimated 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex located at the summit of Haleakalā. Authorities pointed toward a mechanical issue in which a diesel fuel pump for an onsite backup generator failed to shut off on Sunday night. The spill was identified on Monday morning.
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation blesses new firetruck for Kahului Airport fleet
The name given to the truck is Kauakiaweopu‘uohala, which reflects the area where the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighters station sits. Kauakiawe is a high arching rain known to occur in the area.
House resolutions establish working groups for Red Hill impacts and DHHL funds
House Speaker Scott K. Saiki today announced that the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives will form working groups to discuss critical issues pertaining to Red Hill, and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands’ execution of $600 million to address the needs of Native Hawaiians on the Department’s waitlist.
Second installment of Maui County real property tax bills due Feb. 21
Maui County property owners who pay their real property taxes directly and who have not received their real property tax bills should check on their taxes immediately by calling 808-270-7691.
GoFundMe set up for Maui firefighter, Tre Evans-Dumaran
A Maui firefighter who was swept into a storm drain during flood response in Kīhei Friday, continues to fight for his life. A GoFundMe account has been established to help.
$7.1 million awarded to fight invasive species, recover rare native plants and wildlife
The US Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Integration Program is awarding Hawai‘i $7,123,851 to protect and restore rare species of plants and animals found only in Hawai‘i. These actions will be conducted on lands near military training installations.
Judge lifts West Hawaiʻi aquarium fishing injunction, doesn’t mean resumption of collecting
An injunction was lifted this week in a case filed by opponents of commercial aquarium fishing. The decision does not itself authorize any aquarium fishing. That question may now be taken up by the DLNR, which is the agency charged with managing the State’s aquatic resources, according to Deputy Attorney General Melissa Goldman.
February is Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Month
In celebration of Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Language Month, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, together with Native Hawaiian organizations, will host Ola Ka ʻĪ events, Hawaiian language fairs, on O‘ahu and Maui.
The Big Game returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Feb. 12
Maui Arts & Cultural Center will again broadcast The Big Game on two large screens Sunday, Feb. 12. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. and gates open at noon.
Alice Lee re-elected as Maui County Council chair during often-heated marathon meeting
In a marathon Maui County Council meeting of nearly 15 hours Friday and into Saturday, the council unanimously voted to approve Alice Lee’s re-election as chairperson.
Maui has a 95.1% recovery in visitors in 2022 compared to 2019
Maui had a 95.1% recovery in visitors in 2022, compared to 2019, with 2.9 million people visiting Maui last year. Total visitor spending was $5.69 billion in 2022, up 11% from 2019. The year-end data was released by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism.
3 days of downpours bring 23.61″ of rain to Puʻu Aliʻi, Molokaʻi, up to 15″ to parts of Maui
Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows rainfall from Jan. 27-30 was measured at 23.61 inches at Puʻu Aliʻi, Molokaʻi, and from 5 to 15 inches over parts of Maui.
