#maalaea Harbor

Pacific Whale Foundation has opened registration for its winter Ocean Camp, a week-long science and culture program for students in grades 2-5. This year’s theme, “Marine Mammal Mania,” will focus on whales, dolphins and seals.

Most commercial boat companies on Maui were just recovering from the COVID pandemic’s six-month shutdown of tourists, when the 2023 Lahaina fire led to visitors being told initially to stay away, a message that still lingers two years later.

The Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission has announced permitted trolling dates during two weekends in March of 2025.

The 60-year-old Maui Economic Opportunity is the only Community Action Agency in the state that assists residents on multiple islands, including Lānaʻi.

Maui Ocean Center will host its final “Sharks After Dark” event of the year from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Themed 1950s attire is encouraged.

There is much uncertainty about the rebounding of the Lahaina fishing industry with only two of the commercial fishing boats docked in the harbor having survived the fire and a timeline of at least two more years before the damaged harbor can reopen.

RED Hospitality and Leisure, a Caribbean leader in destination and luxury maritime experiences, has announced the launch of the “Aliʻi Kai” catamaran on Maui. The state-of-the-art 65-foot vessel aims to provide guests with a range of new curated sailing, culinary and hospitality experiences that showcase the best of what Maui has to offer.

The Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) has announced permitted trolling dates for September 2024, including: Sept. 7-8 and 28-29.

Pacific Whale Foundation has announced a free community event for kids and families on this year’s World Ocean Day.

At the start of 2024, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources implemented an Ocean Stewardship Fee Program to help fund projects to protect marine resources. The Aloha I Ke Kai program collects a one dollar fee from passengers and customers that board boats with commercial use permits.

Inclement weather may have contributed to the grounding of two large vessels at Kīhei and Mā’alaea, and now weather continues to slow efforts to remove them, according to officials with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

“We recognize that even before the Lahaina fire there were conflicts between commercial vessel operations, especially at Māla Wharf, and community recreational users. For this reason, we are encouraging fishers, commercial vessel operators, and interested community members to attend this informational meeting so everyone can share and hear respective interests and concerns at the same time before decisions are made,” said Chang.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the impact of the deadly fires on Maui last month and underscoring the need for continued federal support in the months ahead.

Maui firefighters responded to an early morning alarm regarding a boat fire at Māʻalaea Harbor on Thursday. Damages were estimated at $8,000, according to Maui Fire Department officials.

The Pacific Whale Foundation beach cleanups are part of the annual Maui Whale Festival, which also includes Race for Whales and the Great Whale Count.

If approved, the proposed funding of up to $9.5 million will be used to construct a wastewater treatment facility for the Māʻalaea community which Councilmember King said currently relies on 24 outdated injection wells. 

Attempts to revive a male visitor who lost consciousness during a snorkeling trip in waters off Maui, were unsuccessful, and the man died, according to Maui police.

The project seeks a proactive and holistic approach to manage worsening coastal erosion at Māʻalaea Bay Beach by exploring the feasibility of coastal resilience strategies, including erosion mitigation options and relocation of threatened structures. The project area spans from Māʻalaea Harbor to Haycraft Park.

The PacIOOS data sensor will help guide Maui Nui Marine Resource Council as it implements its watershed management plan, which aims to reduce sediment and pollutants in Māʻalaea Bay and its harbor.

Pacific Whale Foundation presents an educational ocean camp from Oct. 5-9 for Maui students in the first through fifth-grade. The education program is called “Ocean Camp: From Screen to Sea” and features virtual and in-person ocean engagement.