Maui News

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed another travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu. The individual traveled to a region where dengue is known to be spread.  So far in 2024, there have been six confirmed travel-related dengue cases identified in the state (one on Maui, five on Oʻahu). 

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch, has awarded the contracts for ground ambulance services on Kauaʻi and Maui to International Life Support, Inc., which is widely recognized as American Medical Response (AMR).

The County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Maui will host an open house at its new office at Lahaina Gateway on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. The open house is being held in lieu of the weekly County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting.

Lori Tsuhako was sworn in today as County of Maui Director of Human Concerns, a new department that launched July 1, 2024. Also today, Jessica Crouse was named the Deputy Director of Human Concerns, and Paul Barany was sworn in as the Deputy Director of Public Works. Deputy directors are not subject to council approval. 

Hawaiian Electric’s presentation will include information on general timing and cost components for various Maui projects and programs including: the planned Kahului Power Plant closure, proposed Mā‘alaea Power Plant unit retirements, status of new generation projects, current reserve margins, future infrastructure and reliability improvements, and Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff changes.

The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization has released its draft 2025-2028(+2) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), with more than 60 fiscally constrained transportation projects that are prioritized for funding. The public is invited to review the list on mauimpo.org and share their feedback online or at upcoming events in July.

The new fiscal year begins today, July 1. “Our housing crisis, exacerbated by the fires, remains a top priority for all elected officials and administrators,” said Council Chair Alice Lee, pointing to a report that indicates more than 4,000 residents have already left Maui in search of housing elsewhere. “We must take care of and protect our families,” she said.

Today marks the first day of two new departments within Maui County — the departments of Housing and ʻŌiwi Resources; both established by voters via charter amendments in November 2022.

Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) stopped two men after observing them allegedly using a spotlight for hunting purposes on Thompson Road, a public road that runs through private property owned by the Oprah Winfrey Ranch.

In a PSPS Hawaiian Electric will preemptively shut off power to high-risk areas in the event of extreme weather conditions, in an effort to help keep the public safe. Customers are urged to prepare for emergencies and the possibility of extended power outages during periods of high winds and dry conditions.

The primary objective of ArtCentered is to offer consistent and compassionate art therapy services to fire survivors and the community at large. The positive impact of art on mental health has been evident at their locations, including Honokōwai Beach Park and Royal Lahaina Resort, according to organizers.

Kīhei Charter School is extending the registration period for the 2024-2025 school year due to an expansion of the capacity of the school. The first day of school is on Monday, Aug. 5.

When a group of men hiked into a remote mountain valley in April, they knew it could be the last time they saw an ‘akikiki in the wild, according to an update provided by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The 56th Annual Makawao Parade in Makawao Town concluded on Saturday, June 29, 2024. With more than 50 parade participants this year, the 56th Annual Makawao Parade committee reviewed entries and released the list of winners.

Voters approved a proposal to establish Maui County as “a bilingual government,” effective July 1, 2024. The charter amendment says the council is authorized to determine by ordinance which type of county documents will “be prepared and made available in both official state languages,” English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and establishes the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources.

A second season of “Breaking Bread with Alexander” will feature Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, M.D., and US Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

Senate Bill 2659, introduced by Senators Jarrett Keohokalole and Les Ihara, Jr. and championed by the Native Hawaiian Caucus in both chambers of the Legislature, incorporates a regenerative framework into the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act and the state’s Tourism Functional Plan – documents that guide the operation of state and county agencies – by expanding objectives and policies for the visitor industry.

While there are no signs of an imminent eruption, the largest of these earthquakes were four magnitude-3.0 events near the intersection between Chain of Craters Road and Hilina Pali Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

The Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) at Kapi‘olani Community College unveiled details of their groundbreaking collaboration with the renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college, in a formal press conference co-hosted by the Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance that welcomed CIA leadership to the Diamond Head campus.