Maui Receives National Awards for Finances and Budgeting

Amid an economic crunch and a budget shortfall, Maui County is getting recognition for its Financial and Budgeting efforts.   The county received two national awards:  A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and a Distinguished Budget award for the fiscal year beginning July 1, [...]

High Surf on Maui as Weekend Swell Builds

A northwest swell is expected to reach Maui Saturday afternoon bringing advisory level surf.   The swell is being generated by a former typhoon that turned into a powerful storm off the Western Aleutian Islands earlier this week.   High Surf will first affect Niihau and Kauai on Saturday morning with surf rising to 12 [...]

Hawaiian Civic Clubs Host 50th Annual Convention on Maui

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs holds its 50th Annual Convention on Maui November 1-8 at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort.  Speakers will address the challenges and opportunities of balancing Hawaii’s economic development and cultural sustainability.  The AHCC is the oldest Hawaiian community based grassroots organization and is dedicated to civic service in the [...]

Crews Work to Repair Broken Waterline on Kaahumanu Ave

Crews are working this morning (Friday, October 30, 2009) to repair a 12” broken water line on Kaahumanu Avenue fronting the Checkers Auto Store in Kahului.   The break resulted in the closure of 2 of 3 lanes on Kaahumanu Avenue and affected water service to a portion of the Maui Mall.  Mall officials say [...]

DLNR HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ‘ILIO POINT NATURAL AREA RESERVE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9, to receive public testimony on a proposed new Natural Area Reserve at ‘Ilio Point on the northwestern tip of Moloka‘i. The meeting will take place at the Mitchell Pau‘ole Community Center conference room at Aiona [...]

State Moves Closer in its Plan to Ship Wind Energy From Maui to Oahu

The state is seeking bids from companies interested in linking Maui County to Oahu using a system of undersea cables.   The proposed project was unveiled a year ago when the state entered into an agreement with Hawaiian Electric companies to connect the islands into one electrical grid, allowing renewable wind power generated in Maui [...]

Honouliuli Internment Camp Study Among Items in Proposed Bill

The U.S. House passed an Interior Appropriations bill that helps to secure $12.3 million for six Hawaii projects.  Congresswoman Mazie Hirono lobbied for the inclusion of the projects that at aimed at enhancing wildlife habitat, combating invasive species, protection island waters, and preserving historical sites.   Another highlight of the bill was the inclusion by [...]

Workers Trained to Fight Maui’s Newest Pest, The Little Fire Ant

State and County workers on Maui gathered for a special training session to battle Maui’s newest pest, the invasive Little Fire Ant, which was discovered on a farm in Waihee earlier this month.   More than 50 employees attended the meeting at the Waikapu Community Center on Wednesday.  The session was set up by Maui [...]

Brush Fire near Lahainaluna Rd Contained: 30 Acres Burned

A brush fire in Lahaina burned 30 acres before being contained at around 6 p.m. Wednesday night (October 28, 2009).   The fire was first reported at 1:48 p.m. in an area off of Lahainaluna Road. Nearly 30 firefighters responded to the incident along with the county’s Air One helicopter that was on hand to [...]

Joseph Nawahi: A Hawaiian Patriot and Renaissance Man 11/1/09

Though little is known today, Joseph Nawahi was a Hawaiian patriot and Renaissance man.  A teacher, surveyor, lawyer, cabinet minister, newspaper editor, and artist, he was born in Puna, Hawaii on January 13, 1842.   Joseph Nawahi is an important figure for understanding Hawaiian history and Hawaiian sovereignty.  While a political prisoner, the harsh conditions [...]

Showing of “Noho Hewa: The Wrongful Occupation of Hawaii” 10/29/09

Noho Hewa: The Wrongful Occupation of Hawaii, a film by Anne Keala Kelly comes to Maui on Thursday, November 5, 2009 beginning at 6 p.m. at Maui Community College, Ka Lama room 103.   The documentary is a contemporary look at Hawaiian people, politics, and resistance in the face of laws, economy militarism, and real [...]

Native Intelligence Kicks off Makahiki Season with Pa’i’ai Competition

Native Intelligence in Historic Wailuku Town celebrates the start of the Makahiki season with the 1st Annual Makahiki no Wailuku event.   The festival in honor of the god Lono, covers four lunar months and is marked by a kapu on war and celebrated with games, sports and feasting.   This time of enjoyment and celebration [...]

Owner of Old Araki Store Celebrates Life as a Centenariad

Yoshiko Araki of Wailuku, Maui, turned 100 years old on Oct. 15.   About 100 of Araki’s friends and family wished her a happy birthday at a birthday celebration held on October 24 at Maui Beach Hotel Elleair Ballroom. Born in Honolulu in 1909 to Risaburo and Rika Kikkawa, Araki left for Japan at the age [...]

New U.S. Coast Guard Boat Improves Response Capabilities at Maalaea

The U.S. Coast Guard on Maui has a new 45-foot Response Boat that will be used for operations at the Maui Triangle for waters between Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. The boat replaces a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, which will be moved to Station Kauai at Nawiliwili Harbor, where it is better suited for the windy, [...]

Halloween in Lahaina Among Topics Raised at MPD Town Hall Meeting

By Wendy Osher   Maui Police Chief Gary Yabuta spoke with residents of Lahaina Monday night in latest of a series of Town Hall meetings, which has so far drawn the strongest showing with more than 30 people in attendance.   “I can show statistics that the crime is dropping; I can show them all [...]

Maui Bus Fleet Grows to Meet Projected 2 Million Riders

By Wendy Osher The County of Maui dedicated two new high capacity buses today bringing the Maui fleet to 35.  County Transportation Director Don Medeiros said the new additions will help to meet an increased demand in rider-ship. Click here to listen to Wendy Osher’s interview with County Transportation Director Don Medeiros as Maui adds [...]

Maui Police Chief Hosts West Maui Town Hall Meeting Tonight 10/26/09

The Maui Police Department hosts a Town Hall Meeting in West Maui tonight (Monday, October 26, 2009).  The meeting runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center and will be hosted by Maui Police Chief Gary Yabuta and Deputy Chief Clayton Tom.  The meeting is open to the public and is a [...]

Coffee & Beer Float to Top at Sm. Business Awards

A handful of small business owners, volunteers and non-profits were honored for their success on Maui.  The list of winners was announced at the Mayor’s 2009 Small Business Awards event. Among those recognized were James Kimo Falconer and Maui Grown Coffee for the Small Business of the Year with 10 or fewer employees; Wes Freiwald [...]

Relic of Saint Damien Passes Through Maui on Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage tour honoring Hawaii’s first saint continues on Maui today (Monday, October 26, 2009) as a relic from the famed Father Damien makes stops in Kula, Waihee, Kapalua and Lahaina. Today’s stops include a visit at the Holy Ghost Church in Kula from 7-11 a.m.  Then, at noon, a reception of the relic with [...]

Motorcyclist Dies Following Accident on Mokulele Highway

A motorcyclist involved in a traffic accident last week on the Mokulele Highway died over the weekend at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The man was identified as 21-year-old Thomas J. Grad of Kihei.  Grad was traveling south on the Mokulele Highway at around 10:38 p.m. on Wednesday October 21, 2009 when he collided into the [...]