One Drowning and Several Rescues Prompts Special Weather Statement for Maui

A Special Weather Statement was issued today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, following a number of water rescues in Maui County. The Maui Police Department reported a drowning and several rescues resulting from adverse wind, wave and water conditions. At 11:56 a.m., Lahaina Patrol Officers were aassigned to a possible ocean rescue as two people were [...]

VIDEO: Whole Foods Market Offers List of Local Maui Products

Posted by Wendy Osher Maui Media toured the new Whole Foods Market in Kahului today that will become the chain’s first Maui store when it officially opens on February 24th.  The 26,366 square-foot store will offer an array of natural and organic health and body care products.  The inventory includes products from 44 local farmers, [...]

Governor’s Maui Council of Neighbor Island Advisors to Focus on Issues Facing Maui Farmers

The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui meets today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 5 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center.  Guest speakers will include: Anna Mae Shishido, Maui port supervisor, Plant Quarantine Branch, Department of Agriculture, will speak on the agricultural inspection services on Maui. Warren Watanabe, president of the [...]

Hawaiian Air Seeks Approvals for Nonstop Honolulu Tokyo Flights

Hawaiian Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approvals to introduce nonstop flights between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport. If approved, the new service would provide twice-daily flights starting in late October. The flight schedule is designed to meet the needs of travelers originating from the Tokyo area, with [...]

Familiar Maui Faces Resurface on 2010 Campaign Trail

By Wendy Osher Some familiar names have surfaced on the campaign trail as election season gets underway on Maui.  While as many as 20 people had pulled papers, only two had filed for candidacy so far, according to the last candidate report issued Thursday, February 11, 2010 by the State Office of Elections. Board of [...]

Tavares Testifies: Maui Shortfall will Jump to $73 Million Without TAT Revenues

By Wendy Osher Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will testify today before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance at the State Capitol.  Tavares is expected to comment on House Bill 2598 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax or TAT- which proposes to suspend the distribution of revenues to the counties.  The three year suspension, if approved, [...]

Maui Files Suit Claiming it was Stranded with $44 Million in Debt Securities

By Wendy Osher The County of Maui is demanding a jury trial in a lawsuit it filed last week against Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. The county claims it was stranded with $44.2 million in debt instruments when the firm abandoned its practice of supporting auctions for the SLARS or Student Loan Auction [...]

Forum Presents Both Sides in Akaka Bill Debate

A Forum on the Akaka Bill will be held tonight, Tuesday, February 16, 2010, with speakers presenting both sides of the debate.  The bill was crafted to establish a process for Native Hawaiians to gain federal recognition. Speakers in support include Boyd Mossman, Robin Danner, and Blossom Feiteira; those against include Kaleikoa Ka’eo, Henry Noa [...]

Installation of Kea Street Sidewalk to Cause Traffic Delays in Kahului

Maui County began work today on a sidewalk installation project on Kea Street in Kahului.  The new sidewalk is being installed on Kea Street between Holua Street and Papa Avenue. The contract was awarded to Zoe Builders and is expected to be completed by February 26, 2010, barring any weather delays. Work will run from [...]

2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Generates $6 Million for Maui Economy

The 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational basketball tournament hosted by Chaminade University, generated an estimated $6 million in visitor spending and revenue for Maui businesses.  According to the latest data released by the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, the tournament welcomed thousands of out-of-state visitors, each spending an average of six days on Maui. Since its inception, [...]

ESPN to air USC at Hawaii Season Opener

ESPN today announced it will air the season opening game of USC at Hawaii on Thursday, September 2nd.  The game was included on the network’s 2010 college football schedule, and is also posted on the USC athletic department website.  The game time has not yet been announced.

Brush Fire Near Pulehu Road Burns an Estimated Six Acres

A brush fire first reported at 12:54 p.m. Monday afternoon, February 15, 2010, near the Kula Agricultural Park north of Pulehu Road has burned an estimated 6 acres . No injuries are reported and no structures are reported damaged. Police closed Pulehu Road between Holopuni Road and Kulakula Road shortly before 2:00 p.m. Multiple fire [...]

45 Youth Work on Kanaha Pond Restoration

By Wendy Osher Forty-five Youth Conservation Corps members will participate in a day of service on Monday, February 15, 2010 to restore Maui’s Kanaha Pond in Kahului.  The group will work to remove invasive plants, plat native species, and remove a fence to improve accessibility for future restoration efforts. Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre wetland [...]

VIDEO: Tavares Issues Challenge on TAT in her State of the County Address

By Wendy Osher In her fourth State Of The County Address today, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares challenged the state administration and the Legislature to examine other sources of revenue before cutting the counties share of income from the hotel room tax. “Taking away the TAT revenue from the counties breaks a promise and shifts the [...]

Julio Iglesias Brings 2010 Starry Night World Tour to the MACC

Legendary singer and heartthrob, Julio Iglesias, will make Maui a stop on his 2010 Starry Night World Tour.  Iglesias will serenade Maui audiences in Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. The new world tour was named “Starry Night” after Iglesias’ third English album, which earned record-breaking sales [...]

Molina Seeks Extension for Affordable Housing Appropriation Through 2015

Posted by Wendy Osher Council Vice Chair Michael Molina is seeking a continued appropriation for affordable housing.  Under a charter amendment approved four years ago, 2% of real property tax revenues go towards building and expansion of affordable housing opportunities for families within very low to moderate income levels. The current amendment expires after this [...]

Census Jobs Available in Hana, Waiehu and on Molokai

By Wendy Osher Hawaii local census offices are hoping to hire more than 3000 temporary workers to assist in the effort of counting the state’s population for the 2010 Census.  Officials say an estimated 300-400 people will be hired in Maui County.  Temporary jobs of up to two months include census takers, enumerators and crew [...]

Hawaiian Homes Gaming Bill Advances

A house committee this week advanced the Hawaiian Homes Casino bill with amendments.  HB2759 would allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to construct and operate gaming facilities with the condition that revenues are reinvested into the community.  Additionally, the bill requires that beneficiaries be consulted for approval of any plan before a proposed casino [...]

Maui Toyota Takes Swift Action in Recall Fix

By Wendy Osher The Maui Toyota dealership in Kahului began processing fixes on the 2010 Prius Hybrid yesterday, just hours after a voluntary recall went into effect.  By early afternoon five Prius owners had already taken their vehicles in for recalibration and an upgrade on the vehicle’s anti-lock break software. The Kahului dealer has also [...]

Large Swell Expected, High Surf Warning IssuedLarge Swell Expected, High Surf Warning Issued

The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Warning for the North and West facing shores of Molokai and the North facing shores of Maui until 6 p.m. Thursday. A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous battering waves will pound the shoreline.  This will result in very dangerous swimming conditions and deadly rip currents. A [...]