Maui News

Maui Economic Opportunity released the finalists for the 2021 ‘Imi Pono: The Greatest Challenge media contest for intermediate and high school students – with winners to be announced in a virtual ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30.

(D-Hawaiʻi), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced S. 2761, the Every Veteran Counts Act, legislation that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish and regularly update a database of veterans’ demographic data.

Hawai‘i has pledged to join a worldwide effort to conserve, restore, or grow 100,000,000 trees by the year 2030.

The county led cleanup effort of ‘Āmala Place in Kahului resulted in the removal of 58 tons of solid waste and 54 derelict vehicles this week, but not all are happy with the process and its impact on the unsheltered homeless individuals who were living in area encampments.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, who also works as an emergency room physician issued a warning letter to America’s governors today, urging them to take action now to prevent further COVID spread and prevent further hospitalizations and death.

Paltin pointed to news reports which indicated there were 20,000 rental cars on Maui prior to the pandemic last year, more than all other islands combined.

There were 408 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i today, including 32 on Maui and two on Moloka‘i.

Sean Sakamoto and Jayden Pahukula from KSM’s class of 2022 are among 34,000 scholars nationwide to be recognized by the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Corp. with a “Letter of Commendation” for their academic success.

Nominations are now being accepted to honor invasive species prevention efforts within Maui County. The Mālama i ka ʻĀina has been presented annually since 2003 to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and/or wholesale nurseries and garden shops), or commercial/agricultural property in recognition of their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.

Maui Health will begin providing booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine to eligible individuals beginning Monday, Sept. 27.  This is in addition to current vaccine administration of providing first, second and third doses to eligible residents.

There were nine new deaths reported today–including three on Hawai‘i Island, and six on O‘ahu. Among the deaths are two people in the 20-29 year old age range.

As of Sept. 13, 2021: 88.8% of the state’s executive branch employees are vaccinated for COVID-19; 2.6% are partially vaccinated; and 8.6% are NOT vaccinated.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has authorized Pfizer booster doses, with prioritization to those who have not yet received a first and second dose over any booster. The department is also recommending priority to kupuna ages 65 years and older, and those between 50 and 64 who have underlying medical conditions.

The bird sanctuary is surrounded by urban and industrial development, but has also been a focus of this week’s mass clean-up of solid waste, derelict vehicles, and camps along Amala Place. 

Members of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council were named Group Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The eight winners of the 16th annual Maui Matsuri Art Contest were unveiled, with their prized art pieces on display at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului.

Beginning Sept. 27 all employees of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary must be vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

Free drive-through testing for COVID-19 will be available to meet community demand in Kīhei on Friday, Sept. 24, and in Lahaina on Saturday, Sept. 25. Rapid antigen tests will be administered by Minit Medical Urgent Care.

Two years after she went missing on Maui, the search for information surrounding the disappearance of Khiara Lavinia Henry continues.

This comes following the death of a young female seal found dead on the south shore of the island on Sunday, Sept. 19. The seal was identified by a temporary bleach mark on her side, as “L11,” one of the pups born on the island in 2020.