#Maui Now

The County of Maui Department of Agriculture will host a free online workshop Wednesday, Sept. 16, to help Maui County organizations and healthcare providers prepare applications for two Fiscal Year 2027 grant programs supporting access to locally grown food and strengthening the local agricultural economy.

(Update: 1:23 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026) The victim has since been identified as Lynette Kealoha, 61, of Wailuku.

(Update: 1:21 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026) Townsend was located and found to be in good health. The Maui Police Department thanked the public for their assistance.

Community members are encouraged to attend a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, to share ideas for a proposed project to construct a new Pāʻia gym, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced. It will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pāʻia Community Center.

Impacts from Lowell brought debris and flooding over several roadways on Maui, resulting in erosion and unsafe travel conditions in parts of South and West Maui. Mahalo to those who sent in photos and video of severe weather impacts from across the County.

The four-day training, attended by both Maui firefighters and community volunteers, covered wildfire and home ignition fundamentals, homeowner engagement and communication, HWMO’s home assessment process and software, and included classroom sessions as well as extensive hands-on field practice.

Maui Kupono Builders LLC in conjunction with the County of Maui Department of Public Works, will continue road reconstruction work on Makawao Avenue, continuing from Makani Road and through to Eddie Tam entrance.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce is reminding community members that nominations are open for the 2026 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, with nominations due Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Nominations are being accepted for businesses, nonprofits, or individuals who are making a difference in Maui County.

(Update: 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 2026) Hurricane Lowell regained category 5 strength Friday afternoon. Watches could be required for portions of the westernmost Hawaiian Islands on Saturday.

Hale Makua Health Services invites the public to attend a meeting regarding its proposed workforce housing project at Maui Lani. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 at Maui Economic Opportunity’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center in Wailuku.

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Karina, located well east of the Hawaiian Islands, on Hurricane Lowell, located several hundred miles south of the Hawaiian Islands, and on Hurricane Marie, located several hundred miles west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

The Maui County Special Fair Day will return to Wailuku on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, for a private event dedicated to Maui Nui community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to an announcement by Mayor Richard Bissen. Volunteers are being sought for the celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at War Memorial Special Events Complex.

County of Maui departments continue to respond to damage from Tropical Storm Lala while preparing for possible impacts from hurricanes Lowell and Karina. With multiple weather systems interacting, there is more uncertainty in forecasts, National Weather Service officials have emphasized. Meanwhile, officials are echoing calls for community members to stay prepared during this above-normal hurricane season.

County of Maui officials are encouraging residents and visitors to remain ready as two hurricanes — Lowell and Karina — approach the Hawaiian Islands, less than a month after Tropical Storm Lala affected the state. With multiple weather systems interacting, there is more uncertainty in forecasts, National Weather Service officials emphasized.

Hurricane Lowell is currently a category 4 system with sustained winds of 140 mph. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says Lowell is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days and interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor future forecasts.

Makawao Elementary physical education teacher, Troy “Leven” Abshire Jr., and King Kamehameha III Elementary kindergarten teacher Robert Livermore were recognized as the 2027 Teachers of the Year for respective complex areas in Maui County. From among the 16 honorees statewide, one will be selected as the 2027 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year, HIDOE’s highest teaching honor.

Hurricane Lowell has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 system and is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Maui County Council members unanimously passed a bill on first reading last week that would codify a Food and Nutrition Security Plan as a permanent framework guiding agricultural development and food access in Maui County. At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee recommended approval of Bill 98 on first […]

Gov. Josh Green today announced $58 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve access to healthcare and strengthen services in rural and underserved communities across Hawaiʻi.

Ground breaking was recently held for the Kehalani Apartments, a new 35-unit affordable rental community in Wailuku for households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income, with construction slated for completion in January 2028.