Maui News
US Sen. Schatz Reintroduces Bill To Address Surgeon Shortage; Maui Has 43% Scarcity
US Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) reintroduced the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act, bipartisan legislation that would produce high quality data on where general surgeons are in short supply around the country.
Imua Family Services to Host Youth Vaccine Clinic at Discovery Garden, May 20
The outdoor vaccine clinic is available for youth 12 and older will be administered by Minit Medical at Imua’s newly acquired Wailuku property.
Facial Imaging Technology for COVID-19 Detection Purposes Underway at 5 Hawaiʻi Airports
Facial imaging technology is now in use at five Hawaiʻi airports to complete Phase III of the thermal temperature screening and facial imaging project designed to detect passengers with possible COVID-19 arriving on trans-Pacific flights, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT).
Largest BLNR Fine In Hawai‘i History Leveled Against Man In Prawn Poisoning Case
The Board of Land and Natural Resources fined 54-year-old Wayne Keaulana Spatz, of Hilo, $633,840 for pouring poison into Pāheʻeheʻe Stream in North Hilo resulting in the deaths of an estimated 6,250 Tahitian prawns. It’s the largest BLNR fine ever for an aquatic resource violation in the state.
UH to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for On-Campus Students this Fall
To be on any UH campus, students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As with existing health clearance requirements, students will be able to request exemptions for medical and religious reasons.
Hawai‘i AG Joins Coalition Urging Facebook to Abandon Launch of Instagram Kids
Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of 44 attorneys general in urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.
Maui Meadows Pavement Preservation Project to Prompt Single-Lane Traffic and Road Closure
A pavement preservation project at the Maui Meadows subdivision continues on Tuesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 20 with work to take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Education Benefits For Veterans
US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) – a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs – and US Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act. The bipartisan legislation would improve veterans’ access to information about higher education and allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to restore benefits that veterans use at schools subject to civil enforcement.
Coast Guard Conducts Repatriation Flights to Federated States of Micronesia
An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew conducted two flights repatriating Federated States of Micronesia citizens and delivering U.S. and foreign diplomats to Pohnpei International Airport on Thursday, May 13 and Friday, May 14.
Park Ranger Tips for Visiting Maui’s Haleakalā National Park
The National Park Service and Haleakalā National Park provided tips from park rangers for people planning to visit the park for a memorable and safe experience.
WATCH: Medical Minute Addresses Vaccine Hesitancy and Provides Information About COVID-19 Vaccines
After more than a year of living through the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine is finally here. Doctor Michael Shea, chief medical director and critical care physician at Maui Health provides information about the COVID-19 vaccines and addresses vaccine hesitancy.
Volcano Watch: Tiny Changes at Mauna Loa’s Summit Hold Big Clues
In the past six months, there has been an uptick in earthquake activity on Mauna Loa’s west flank and changes in the pattern of deformation at its summit. These changes are small, sometimes barely above the noise, but may be telling us that the magma system is evolving in important ways.
May 16, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 127 Cases (103 O‘ahu, 10 Maui, 3 Moloka‘i, 3 Hawai‘i Island, 8 Out-of-State); 1 Death
The state Department of Health reports that there were 127 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Sunday, including 103 on O‘ahu, 10 on Maui, three on Moloka‘i, three on Hawai‘i Island, and eight in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state.
New Website Helps Parents Find Summer Learning Opportunities for Children
The Hawai’i Afterschool Alliance launched a new website to help parents find suitable summer learning programs for children in grades K-12. The website features an interactive map with information on program offerings and on how to enroll.
$200,000 Hazard Clean-Up Begins at Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve on Big Island
A $200,000 project will soon begin to clean up the remnants of industrial use scattered on the property of the Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve on Hawai’i Island.
Maui Obituaries: Week Ending May 16, 2021
Maui Obituaries for the week ending May 16, 2021. May they rest in peace.
Shark Bite Incident Forces Closure of Kanahā Beach Park Until Noon on Sunday
County officials say a 35-year-old man fell off his kite foil about 400 yards off shore of the beach canoe hale. As he was getting back on his board, a shark reportedly bit him in the back side of his upper leg. The man sustained 2- to 3-inch lacerations and was able to make his way back to shore.
Democratic Party Selects Three Names for Senate District 7 Vacancy Finalists
The Maui County Democratic Party’s selection body has narrowed the list of names for consideration to the Senate District 7 vacancy to: Lynn DeCoite, Yuki Lei Sugimura and Leo Caires.
Native Plant Restoration Efforts Progressing on Maunakea
The Center for Maunakea Stewardship has managed to establish māmane and other native plants including ʻāweoweo, pawale, puakala and heʻupueo, a native grass, to enhance the native ecosystem at the VIS, which is at the 9,000 foot elevation of Maunakea.
Man Cited for Illegal Catch of ‘Opihi in Marine Life Conservation District
Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources say Ronald Ching, 55, who has no local address, was found in possession of 378 ʻopihi.
