Maui News

Defense attorney Randall Hironaka called the prosecution’s case a “witch-hunt.” Meantime, Deputy Prosecutor Jerry W. Hupp argued that “odd” activity, statements, “mistakes,” and “diversions” by Brown, point towards guilt.

The Maui County Council won a 2022 achievement award in civic engagement and public information for its youth engagement program at the National Association of Counties conference in Colorado.

Up to $2,000 in is available to a qualified applicant to help reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians who need economic assistance for necessities, including back, rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, funeral expenses.

Hawaiian monk seal pup Koalani is enjoying his new remote beach on Oʻahu with a few swims of 2 to 3 nautical miles and 300 feet deep.

Underwater photographer and former National Geographic assignment photographer David Fleetham, says that for him, great white sharks spark fascination and sent him on a journey around the world to photograph them and dispel the fear that comes with sharks. 

Today, the Hawai’i Department of Health reported one new monkeypox case on Maui and three others in the state; and it encourages eligible residents to get the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Starting next week, chicken fans will merely cross the road for two of the nation’s popular poultry restaurants. Both located off Ho’okele Street in Kahului, Maui’s first Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is opening Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Hawai’i’s first Chick-fil-A is launching Thursday, Sept. 1, according to recent company announcements.

A bill to create a pilot project so houseless residents may use their vehicles as overnight habitation in county parking lots was passed Tuesday, but some are voicing concerns over which properties may become a “safe sleeping zone.”

A new lifeguard tower will be installed Sept. 1 at Hoʻokipa Beach Park, and the park will be closed to the public on that day, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced. The park will reopen on Sept. 2 during normal hours, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

University of Hawaiʻi Maui College student Clifford Russel was selected as a fellow for the new partnership, Re:wild Your Campus.

Maui’s PGA Tour event, the Tournament of Champions at The Plantation Course, has secured Sentry Insurance as its title sponsor through 2035.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted today to confirm Annalisa M. Bernard Lee to a position in the District Court of the Second Circuit, which encompasses Maui County. Her term of office will be for six years.  

After 35 witnesses and eight days of testimony since Aug. 1, closing statements from the state and defense are expected on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022.

Three nēnē geese were released into the Hawai‘i Island Nēnē Sanctuary earlier this month, on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea, after being rehabilitated.

Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Shayna Decker said a “high-voltage short circuit occurred at a substation in Mā‘alaea, which triggered generating units to trip offline.” She called it a “highly unusual event.”

A 4.0 earthquake reported at 7:11 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, about six miles east of Pāhala on Hawaiʻi Island, is believed to be part of a seismic swarm which has been going on since 2019, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists.

The state Department of Transportation will be conducting road work this week that will result in lane closures at various locations.

“This project reimagines West Maui’s main corridor to include new affordable and workforce housing and safer transportation options,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “This work will align with existing and planned improvements like the West Maui Greenway.”

The Maui County Planning Department will host an open house for the release of the first draft of the updated South Maui Community Plan on from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Kīhei Community Center.

The Department of Water Supply is requesting that all Maui Island residents and visitors conserve water in an effort to reduce demand and extend existing supplies.