Maui News
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.
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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.
Elderly would receive more care, remain in community with bill backed by Hirono
Hawai’i’s U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono joined colleagues in introducing a bill that would expand access to longterm care, enabling older adults and people with disabilities to receive quality care while remaining in their communities.
Kīhei Aquatic Center closed Feb. 1 for rescheduled MIL swim championships
The Kīhei Aquatic Center will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 1, to accommodate the rescheduling of the Maui Interscholastic League High School Swimming Championships after the two-day meet was postponed due to weather events. The activity will now be done as a single-day finals event.
Maui firefighter injured in flood response remains in critical condition
A Maui firefighter injured during storm response in Kīhei remains hospitalized in critical condition, and is making “positive and promising signs of progress,” according to county officials. Tre Evans-Dumaran, 24, has been with the department for more than three years.
Condolences shared upon passing of legendary Hawaiʻi sportscaster Jim Leahey
“Today we lost the patriarch of our family. A man known by his supreme talents for storytelling, an unrelenting passion for Hawaiʻi and the teams and athletes that represent it, and a lifelong love for the craft of sports broadcasting… “
Kanahā Pond on Maui to get predator-proof fencing to protect nesting habitats
The new fencing at Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary will provide safe nesting habitats for native and endangered birds by excluding mammalian predators such as rats, mongoose and cats.
64th Maui County Regional Science and Engineering Fair set for Feb. 9
Up to 20 blue-ribbon merit winners of the Maui County science and engineering fair will be invited to participate in the 2023 Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair to be held April 5 and 6 on Oʻahu.
Boaters urged to slow down, steer clear of whales in Hawaiʻi waters
With increased whale activity around the islands, NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and state managers remind boaters to be on the lookout for humpback whales and their calves.
Portions of Mākena State Park to be closed intermittently for hazardous tree work
Over the next two weeks, work will take place to remove large fallen trees and hazardous branches from Mākena State Park in South Maui. Due to the large equipment that will be used for this project, the DLNR Division of State Parks will close off sections of the park.
Hawaiʻi conservation officers will increase by 50% with 42 recruits
The new Hawai’i conservation resources enforcement officers will be assigned all across the state.
Update: Cancellation of nightly closure of Piʻilani Highway due to weather
This closure was set to be nightly in both directions between Kaonoulu Street and Piʻikea Avenue from 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, through 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. This work will be rescheduled for a later date.
