Maui News

The state House and Senate are taking steps to improve standards of conduct and rebuild public trust as a bribery and corruption case brought against two former lawmakers makes its way through the court system.

When severe drought puts Upcountry under water restrictions — looking down the hill at South Maui’s green hotel lawns can spark frustration for residents. “It seems like the resort areas are getting preferential treatment and the rich people in Wailea can water their lawns without any kind of problems,” Norman Franco, county Board of Water Supply member, said during a meeting last week. “Of course, we know that they have a different water system. But If we intend to go on a more conservative approach on the use of water, it shouldn’t matter where the water is coming from, but how it’s used and being more fair in the . . . regulations.” 

Kaunoa Senior Services is offering online classes via Zoom in March for seniors 55 years old and older.

Modified driver’s license basic skills tests will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 23, the County of Maui Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing announced. 

The latest data represents a total of 7,835 “active” cases statewide over two weeks. This is below the delta peak of 11,500. Maui County’s seven day average of cases is now 34.6 cases per 100,000. This is below the delta peak of 57.6 per 100,000 reported on Aug. 25, and the 412.1 per 100,000 reported on Jan. 21, 2022.

The US Senate passed legislation authored by US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that provides $100 million in new federal funding to cover the cost of defueling the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and direct the Department of Defense to comply with the State of Hawai‘i’s emergency public health order.

“Since 2013, we have been offering and promoting field-based, innovative science education through camps and other programs for schools. This is the first year we have offered camps on Maui and on Molokaʻi. It’s exciting, and I know the kids will love our camps, ” said Diana Papini Warren, Executive Director of Learning Endeavors.

A roughly 300-acre parcel mauka (upland) of the Hawaiʻi Loa and Niu Valley subdivisions has been officially designated as a new Hawai‘i State Natural Area Reserve. Governor David Ige signed an Executive Order on Feb. 3, creating the Pia Valley NAR. 

The Boys and Girls Club of Maui is hosting a vaccine access and information event at its Lahaina Clubhouse from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

Come Monday, Maui’s longstanding rule regarding proof of vaccination status to dine-in at restaurants or to visit other “high risk” businesses like bars and gyms, will be lifted as of Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

Students at Seabury Hall raised $10,300 for relief efforts in Tonga as a part of the school’s 5K for Tonga Color Run on Feb. 15, 2022. Proceeds were donated to the Anglican Mission which has been working with local and national response teams to provide aid in wake of the volcanic eruption that occurred on Jan. 15, 2022.

A collaborative study by six international research organizations revealed the discovery of two humpback whales that traveled between the breeding grounds of Hawai’i and Mexico – about 3,728 miles – in the same winter.

The latest data represents a total of 8,641 “active” cases statewide over two weeks. This is below the delta peak of 11,500. Maui County’s seven day average of cases is now 36.4 cases per 100,000. This is below the delta peak of 57.6 per 100,000 reported on Aug. 25, and the 412.1 per 100,000 reported on Jan. 21, 2022.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is slated to open at The Shops at Wailea in the fall of 2022, marking the first Maui location for the restaurant.

The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi has received six completed applications to fill the vacant House District 39 seat, previously held by Ty Cullen.

Topics of the Kula Community Association meeting include: water, axis deer, and commercial bike tours.

In approving a key document, the state Land Use Commission helped pave the way for Pūlama Lānaʻi’s proposed 200-acre industrial park on Lānaʻi — billed by project officials as a catalyst to diversify the economy beyond luxury tourism.

Here’s some interesting whale trivia about the wintering whales that come to Hawaiʻi each year to breed, give birth, and nurse their young.

The American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden expanded two tax relief programs for this tax season: the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Gov. David Ige nominated an active Maui volunteer, a Hawai‘i Island engineer, a Kauaʻi real estate leader, a cultural museum vice president and a climate change small business owner to serve on the seven-person state Board of Land and Natural Resources. All five nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.