Maui News

There are 740 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawaiʻi today, including 72 on Maui, seven on Molokaʻi, and two on Lānaʻi. Thereʻs also 11 new COVID-19 deaths, including seven on Oʻahu, three on Hawaiʻi Island, and one on Kauaʻi.

The Kimokeo Foundation and Maui Economic Opportunity provided dry goods for kupuna in need on Lānaʻi in late January – around the same time when there was a disruption in food surplus shipments to the island.

This is the largest collection of iwi kūpuna the Hawaiian delegation is receiving on its five-stop journey in Germany and Austria. The final repatriation ceremony will be held on February 14 at the Vienna Natural History Museum. The delegation will return home to Hawaiʻi on February 15. Arrangments have been made with the appropriate parties to rebury the iwi kūpuna on their islands of origin, so they may finally return to their moe loa (eternal sleep).

The new Maui Nui First program replaces Kamaʻāina First and will expand the information and resources available online that would be of interest to both residents and visitors. The goal for this new community-wide initiative is to encourage people to consider local first in their buying decisions. 

Hawaiian Community Assets announced that Chelsie Evans will lead efforts going forward as the organization’s new Executive Director.

The Senate Government Operations Committee introduced a short form bill (SB 2930 SD1) that aims to establish two new divisions within the Department of the Attorney General to address fraud, white collar crime, political corruption and sex and human trafficking. The measure would appropriate $834,000 for the operations of the Special Investigation and Prosecution unit and $754,000 to operate the Sex and Human Trafficking unit.

Recruitment is open on the Department of Human Resources and Development website and closes Monday, Feb. 28. PSD is seeking applicants willing to serve on every island.

Retirees with more than 25 years in Maui Police Department rallied today at Maui County Salary Commission to speak out against a proposed 29% pay hike for the department’s new chief. off the hook,” said Butch Tam Ho, retired assistant chief with 30 years of service. “You are the check and balance. I beg you to stop this.”

Kaiser Permanente’s Health Equity Scholarship Program is offering scholarships to 2022 graduating Hawaiʻi high school seniors who are pursuing a career in the healthcare field. The deadline to apply is March 1.

The Maui Police Department is seeking applicants for the upcoming 2022 CSI Camp – a Crime Scene Investigation experience created for high school juniors and seniors. 

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green formally announced his campaign for governor. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Green previously served in the State House and State Senate from 2004 to 2018.

Todayʻs count includes 62 cases on Maui, 148 on Hawaiʻi Island, 55 on Kauaʻi, 14 on Molokaʻi, two on Lānaʻi, and 12 out of state.  There are 414 new COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu.

The Water Department will temporarily close Kaʻahumanu Avenue due to water line repairs between Puʻunēnē Avenue to Hāna Highway. The closure is for all three Pāʻia bound lanes of Kaʻahumanu Avenue.

In attempts to avoid property loss or subdivision flooding, the County of Maui is planning to reinforce a portion of the Wailuku River bank near Wailuku Millyard. The county said it is consulting with stream advocacy group Hui o Nā Wai ʻEhā and will conduct work that won’t interrupt mauka-to-makai stream flow or the movement of aquatic species. It acknowledged that some stream projects have altered the delicate environment. 

A juvenile green sea turtle was returned to the ocean on Wednesday after it was rescued late last year and nursed back to health over the past three months.

Officials with the Maui Fire Department tell Maui Now that the incident ended up being a “good intent” call, and upon further investigation, nobody was in distress.

Discussion will include comprehensive information regarding the application, lottery and lease process, and construction updates for Kaiāulu o Kupuohi and Kaiāulu o Kūku‘ia apartment projects developed by Ikaika ʻOhana.

An investigation into a possible vehicle theft in Lahaina, ended with two suspects involved in a rollover motor vehicle accident that forced the temporary closure of the Honoapiʻilani Highway for at least two hours, Wednesday.

“We are asking for assistance in replacing the gear and equipment that was stolen, replacing the locks that were broken, replacing the damaged doors, and enhancing the security at our office site,” said Dr. Hanna Mounce, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project coordinator.

The Department of Water Supply reports a boil water advisory has been lifted for all areas of Upcountry, Maui, after consecutive days of negative water sample results for trace amounts of E. coli bacteria.