Maui News

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is adopting guidance from the CDC recommending boosters for children ages 5 through 11 and strengthening booster recommendations for others.

Longtime effort by local government to buy Wailuku Water Co.’s water delivery system seems to have dried up. For years, the possible acquisition signaled hope that a private, plantation-era system could be transformed into a public utility.

A 55-year-old man sustained a laceration to his hand during a reported stabbing incident in South Maui on Wednesday night.

Nominees for 2022 Outstanding Older Americans in Maui County include: (clockwise, top left) Patrick Constantino of Makawao, Matthew Kailihou of Wailuku, Ernest (Ernie) Rezents of Makawao, Daniel (Gundi) Dancil of Makawao, Cynthia Sagawa of Lānaʻi City, JoAnn Rockwell of Lahaina, Michael (Mike) Moran of Kīhei, Francis Sinenci of Hāna, and Mabel Sakuma of Wailuku.

The Construction Industry of Maui awarded two, $20,000 scholarships each to Maui high school students Mari Yamamoto and Cayleb Fernandez to help them further their education in construction related fields. 

The DOH reports that the food establishment, operated by Tay Asian Cuisine, Inc., received the red placard on May 17 and must remain closed until DOH conducts a follow up inspection and all violations are resolved.

Rachel Kaya, a Maui psychologist, said it’s out of the ordinary to see mental health clinicians yelling, waving signs, ringing bells and pounding the pavement. “We are the calm, nice, let-me-listen-to-you people — it’s very unusual for us to do this,” she told Maui Now this morning. “You know it’s extreme for us to have to stand on the streets — but they pushed us to it.” Kaya, who works at Kaiser Permanente Maui Lani clinic, is part of a statewide strike by Kaiser mental health clinicians to draw attention to the HMO’s severe mental health staffing shortages that’s leaving Hawai’i patients with dangerously long wait times and poor care.  

Maui Island had a 4.2% non-seasonally adjusted rate in April. Molokaʻi’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 17.4% and Lānaʻi was 3.2% last month.

Aloha Ke Akua Clothing Company is partnering with the nonprofit rehabilitation center, Aloha House, to raise funds and awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Lana‘i Branch needs volunteers to assist with the monthly surplus food distribution to residents in need.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Board of Directors recently approved hiring Ann Mahi, a veteran Hawaiʻi teacher, administrator, union and student advocate, as its executive director.

A study led by UH at Mānoa researchers revealed the mystery of seafloor metamorphosis, which can aid in problems such as coral reef restoration, mariculture of clams, oysters and mussels and the accumulation of animals ad algae on ship hulls.

Starting today, Thursday, May 19, 2022, and continuing through the Memorial Day holiday, the Maui Police Department’s Traffic Division will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols

The Maui Charter Commission will meet this Thursday,  May 19, to review and approve its Draft Final Report detailing eleven proposed amendments to the County Charter.  

A ceremony was held at the Wailuku Police Station on Wednesday, honoring five officers, a US National Park Ranger, and a US special agent killed in the line of duty in Maui County.

Although the road is open and passable, motorists should still exercise extra caution in the Kaupō and Kīpahulu areas. The 5-mile section of unpaved road is rough and very dusty, so four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Visitors to Hāna are advised to return to Central Maui via Pāʻia instead of Kīpahulu.

Twenty-three faculty members at the University of Hawaiʻi have received top awards for their inspirational teaching and world-class research, including two teachers from UH Maui College.

At drive-thru events last week, several hundred Moloka‘i residents arrived by vehicles and even a riding lawn mower to pick up a free kit containing energy-saving items.

Thanks to La Niña, this year’s Hawai’i area hurricane season may be lighter than last year, weather experts said during a media briefing this morning. However, the same La Niña weather conditions will keep Hawai’i severely dry and punch up the peak of wildfire season to June.

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association awarded a total of $41,500 in Scholarships to 19 Maui students. Outstanding individuals were awarded through three scholarship programs: the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Hospitality and Culinary Programs; the Academy of Hospitality program, including students and alumni from Baldwin, Lahainaluna, and Maui High Schools; and the MHLA Member Program.