Maui Pineapple Saved With Newly Formed Company: Haliimaile Pineapple Company, Ltd.

January 1,2010 marks a new day for pineapple production on Maui, as a team that includes five former Maui Pineapple Company executives assume operations of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. The five join Ulupalakua Ranch’s Pardee Erdman in running the newly named Haliimaile Pineapple Company, Ltd. The new company will officially assumes operations tomorrow, [...]

NOAA Charges Vessel For Repeat Violations Of Whale Protection Rules

With Hawaii’s humpback whale season underway, officials are reminding boaters and other ocean users to use caution and follow whale protection rules. Federal regulations require people to stay at least 100 yards away from the wintering whales. In the past two years, officials reported 12 cases involving violations, including approaches by swimmers, non-motorized watercraft, and [...]

Hazy Skies and Light Winds Expected During New Year Celebration

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s (DOH) Clean Air Branch will be monitoring Hawai’i’s air quality during New Year’s and comparing it with national ambient air quality standards. Health officials say the heavy use of fireworks during the annual holiday celebration can significantly increase the amount of particulates in the air, especially on Oahu. The [...]

Deadline Extended To Apply For Maui Boards And Commissions

The deadline to apply for the various vacancies on the county’s Boards and Commissions has been extended to next week Friday, January 8, 2009. There are a total of 73 vacancies that were created due in part to expiring terms. Terms for seats on County Boards, Councils, Commissions and Committees last from two to five [...]

3.5 Quake Off Windward Coast of Maui

A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded a short while ago off the windward coast of Maui. Civil Defense officials say NO tsunami is expected. Repeat, NO tsunami is expected. The quake occurred at 11:39 a.m. Officials with the US Geological Survey say the quake was situated 13 miles north east of Haiku and 16 miles [...]

Fireworks Displays Planned For Hana, Wailea, and Lanai

There are three public fireworks displays planned in Maui County for New Year’s Eve. All three displays begin at 12:00 midnight on New Year’s Eve will be at the following locations: Hana – below Fagan’s Cross Kihei – barge offshore fronting the Grand Wailea Hotel Lanai – Manele Bay Hotel Firework permits are available until [...]

North Shore Under High Surf Advisory

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has ISSUED a HIGH SURF ADVISORY for NORTH FACING SHORES of MOLOKAI AND MAUI in effect from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and [...]

Roadwork Scheduled for Piilani and Kalae Hwys and Lahainaluna Road

By Wendy Osher There are several road work projects that will result in delayed travel on Maui roads next week.  The projects include resurfacing of the Piilani Highway, ongoing work on the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment Project and road resurfacing and lane striping of the Kalae Highway on Molokai.  Details are as follows: PIILANI HIGHWAY RESURFACING [...]

20th Annual Hookipa Surf Classic in Memory of Justin Roberson

The Friends of Ho’okipa will launch the 20th Annual Ho’okipa Surf Classic , Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Ho’okipa Beach Park. An alternate date has also been set for the following Saturday, January 16. Now in its 20th year, the Ho’okipa Surf Classic honors Justin Roberson, a talented Maui surfer who died at the age [...]

Traffic Delays Expected During Papahawahawa Bridge Installation

Motorists are advised of anticipated delays in Kipahulu during the installation of a temporary bridge. Work to install the Papahawahawa temporary bridge will take place January 11-15, 2009 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The bridge is located at mile marker 46.5 on the Hana Highway between Hana and Kipahulu. County officials [...]

VIDEO: Report Shows Doubt Over Future ML&P Operations

By Wendy Osher A report filed Monday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows doubts over future operations at Maui Land & Pineapple Company. The document detailed uncertainties in the company’s ability to continue after ceasing pineapple planting last week and laying off 208 employees by tomorrow, New Year’s Eve. The audit also pointed [...]

VIDEO: All Hands On Deck As Maui Voyaging Canoe Nears Completion

By Wendy Osher Crew members and voyaging enthusiasts are on a mission to complete construction of a seafaring canoe for the island of Maui. Beginning on January 9, 2010 and on each subsequent Saturday, crew members and volunteers will participate in work days to get the 62-foot-long Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani ready for the water. The [...]

VIDEO: Missing Banyan Tree Santa Resurfaces

By Wendy Osher On the First Day of Christmas, the Wailuku Community Association got a Santa Claus in a Banyan Tree. The Santa statue had gone missing for a full week, but was returned to its perch at the Wailuku Banyan Tree Park over the holiday weekend. The statue is situated at the corner of [...]

Governor Says Revised Furlough Plan Is Not Viable

The Hawai‘i State Teachers Association (HSTA) and the Department of Education reached an agreement to restore classroom days lost to furloughs in their original contract. Governor Linda Lingle has already spoken out against the plan saying, it “is not a viable solution.” The plan calls for the restoration of seven out of 10 remaining furlough [...]

VIDEO: Maui Land and Pineapple Co. Completes Last Harvest

By Wendy Osher After nearly 100 years in the pineapple business, Maui Land and Pineapple Co. harvested its last pineapples from fields in Haliimaile and Haiku on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. The company had announced plans earlier this year to lay off 285 workers and cease pineapple operations by December 31st. Another 133 employees were [...]

Obama Issues Statement on Detroit Incident From Hawaii

By Wendy Osher President Barack Obama made a statement this morning about the Christmas Day terror incident in which a suspect attempted to detonate a bomb aboard a flight bound for Detroit. President Obama issued the special statement from Hawaii where he and the rest first family are spending their holiday. “Here’s what we know [...]

High Surf Forces Closure of Hookipa Beach

PAIA, Maui, Hi.- At 10:00 a.m. this morning, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation closed Hookipa Beach Park due to high surf. Water from waves estimated to be 20 – 25 ft began to reach the park pavilion area, causing park officials to decide to temporarily close the park. The parking lot [...]

VIDEO: Maui Signs First Player To New Minor League Team

By Wendy Osher Minor League Baseball returns to Maui with plans to throw out the first pitch in May during the upcoming 2010 season at the Iron Maehara Baseball Stadium. The 22-member team will be called: Na Koa Ikaika O Maui, or the Strong Warriors of Maui. While their coach has yet to be named, [...]

VIDEO: Maui Radio Station Joins Island Marines To Raise $13,600 For Toys For Tots

By Wendy Osher Maui Marines joined keiki in the community to shop for toys this morning with funds raised during their annual Toys For Tots campaign.  The program partnered with Pacific Radio Group’s own KPOA 93.5 FM radio station, the Salvation Army, and the island’s Minit Stop stores to raise a total of $13,600. Sgt. [...]

Willie K Makes Holiday Visit With Isle Inmates

Island entertainer, Willie K made a holiday visit to the Maui County Correctional Center on Wednesday afternoon.  The visit was part of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Artist in the Community Program. During his visit, Willie K performed popular songs and Christmas carols for the inmates.  He also shared stories of personal struggle, perseverance, [...]