Maui News
UH: Honu emerge as reef defenders against invasive algae in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) have been documented for the first time actively grazing on Chondria tumulosa, an aggressive invasive red alga that has spread rapidly across reefs among three of the northernmost atolls in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM).
Public invited to submit remembrances for Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i, the annual Memorial Day ceremony that brings together communities from around the world in honor of fallen service members and loved ones, is accepting submissions for remembrances. Submissions received by April 30, 2026, will be hand-transcribed onto lanterns.
Former Governor George Ariyoshi dies at 100, remembered as ‘historic figure’
Gov. Josh Green today announced the lowering of flags to honor the life and legacy of former Gov. George R. Ariyoshi, Hawaiʻi’s third and longest-serving governor in state history. He led the state from 1974 to 1986. Ariyoshi died peacefully Sunday night, surrounded by his family — he was 100.
Kaiser Permanente reports Alliance Unions ratify new contracts to deliver wage increases, protect affordability
After nearly 11 months of negotiations, Kaiser Permanente welcomes the ratification of 52 collective bargaining agreements covering more than 61,000 employees represented by unions within the Alliance of Health Care Unions.
Firearm permit applications in Hawaiʻi up nearly 15% last year
Hawaiʻi’s firearm registration report for 2025 reveals a notable 14.7% rise in permit applications alongside a slight decline in total firearm registrations, with a record percentage of imported firearms highlighting changing ownership trends.
UPDATE: No tsunami risk to Hawaiʻi after 7.4 earthquake east of Japan
There is NO tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi following a powerful earthquake that struck off the east coast of Japan late Sunday, prompting tsunami monitoring across parts of the Pacific.
State prevails in federal lawsuit that had sought to block Hawaiʻi’s claims against major fossil fuel companies
The state of Hawaiʻi today secured a significant legal victory in federal court, with the US District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi issuing an order dismissing a lawsuit filed by the United States, that sought to stop Hawaiʻi’s separate lawsuit filed in state court against major fossil fuel companies.
Rep. Tokuda leads House floor debate, urges swift passage of disaster aid for farmers
US Rep. Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) led floor debate for Democrats in support of H.R. 1011, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, urging its immediate passage to enhance federal disaster assistance programs for farmers recovering from natural disasters like the devastating Kona Low storms.
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke will not seek re-election
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced today that she will not seek re-election to a second term. In a statement, Luke said, “This weekend, after a long discussion with my family and close friends, I decided not to seek re-election to a second term as Lieutenant Governor.”
USCG recovery intensifies, support continues in Guam following Super Typhoon Sinlaku
US Coast Guard crews press north Sunday toward communities still isolated by the effects of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, launching a coordinated surge to reopen ports across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
New data tool gives side-by-side comparison of House and Senate budget drafts
Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice has announced a major update to its Hawaiʻi Budget webpage, giving advocates, policymakers, and community members a powerful new tool to track the state’s supplemental budget process in real time.
University of Hawaiʻi to lead new Pacific reef research institute
“This new institute combines [University of Hawaiʻi]’s strengths in cutting-edge, ocean-related research and our collaborative, place-based approach to working with resource managers throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to protect our vital coral reefs,” said University of Hawaiʻi Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton.
NTSB releases preliminary report on Kauaʻi helicopter crash that killed 3, injured 2
The preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board did not provide a cause of the crash, but said the pilot reported severe vibrations and loss of directional control while making a turn.
Kanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts
Bishop Museum on Oʻahu will feature the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.
Direct2UH gets $400K boost from national grant program aimed at simplifying path to college
Building on the success of Direct2UH — the direct admissions initiative launched in October 2025 that offers free entry to Hawaiʻi public high school seniors based on their grade-point average — the grant will fund a unified admissions system with enhanced outreach and guidance.
Scholarship offering from Friends of Haleakalā National Park
Annually, FHNP awards three scholarships of $2,000 each to graduating high school seniors or continuing undergraduate students from Maui County pursuing studies related to the biology, ecology and/or conservation of ecosystems such as that of Haleakalā National Park.
Hawaiʻi will need nearly 60,000 new homes by 2050, AARP report finds
Hawaiʻi will need nearly 60,000 additional housing units by 2050 to meet future demand, with much of that need driven by an aging population and rising housing costs, according to a new analysis prepared for AARP Hawaiʻi.
Rotary Club of Wailuku to host presentation on stormwater and Adopt-A-Highway program
The Rotary Club of Wailuku will host Stormwater Maui for a presentation on stormwater management and the Adopt-A-Highway program on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 12 to 1 p.m. at 130 Market Street in Wailuku.
Maui E-Bike Program Serves Fire Survivors, Highlights Ongoing Transportation Need
The Maui Bicycling League successfully hosted its 2026 E-Bike Giveaway Event for Maui Fire Survivors on April 11 at Maui Sunriders in Kapalua, bringing together community leaders, partners, and recipients in a meaningful step forward in Maui’s ongoing recovery.
UH Maui College hosts green building presentation for Earth Day
The University of Hawaʻi Maui College will host a free community presentation Leveraging Off-site Construction to Expand Sustainable Housing Opportunities on Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Pilina Event Center on campus featuring B.PUBLIC Prefab, a women-owned public benefit corporation founded to increase accessibility to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable housing options.
