Maui News
Transportation Department Releases $250M to Honolulu Rail As Part Of Grant Agreement
The US Department of Transportation has released an additional $250 million to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) as part of its Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in February. The funding follows February’s initial release of $125 million and was delivered after HART completed the contract award for the City Center Guideway and Stations.
Kūpuna leadership organization, Planning & Coordinating Council installs officers
The Maui County Planning & Coordinating Council, the umbrella organization of leaders from kūpuna clubs countywide, met for a meeting to install new officers and to enjoy some holiday festivities Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.
Mobile Passport Control available at Daniel K. Inouye Airport
Implementation of Mobile Passport Control has been successfully launched at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced. The mobile app, developed by US Customs and Border Protection, allows eligible travelers to expedite their entry into the United States.
Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act containing over $11B in Hirono-led provisions
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted on Wednesday to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act in the US Senate, which includes several key provisions for Hawaiʻi and the Indo-Pacific region, US military service members and the maintenance and modernization of Department of Defense infrastructure.
New farmers market opens in Wailuku Town
A small group of Wai Side farmers has announced a new farmers market making its debut Sunday.
Video: New murals at King Kamehameha III connect students to Lahaina’s history and culture
Maui Public Art Corps on Tuesday unveiled 17 murals that connect King Kamehameha III Elementary School students to Lahaina’s rich history and culture. The murals were created by artists and students at the school’s temporary campus.
Land Board rejects revetment proposal for Hololani Resort erosion
By a narrow 4-3 vote, the Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected a request last week from Hololani Resort apartment owners seeking an amendment to 2018 board action for a sheet pile and rock revetment to protect the property from shoreline erosion.
A third opossum has been captured in Honolulu this year
Plant quarantine inspectors with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture trapped an opossum overnight at a big-box store in Iwilei. This marks the third opossum that has been captured on Oʻahu this year. The storage container where the opossum was trapped was not used for shipping.
Upcoming exhibit features works from Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2025
A signature of Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, has been held as a triennial since 2003. This year’s challenge will mark the eighth iteration of this statewide juried exhibition, which presents the unique diversity of the people of the Hawaiian Islands through explorations in portraiture.
Rare Hawaiian snail reintroduced into Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu
After more than 33 years in captivity, a rare Hawaiian snail species known as Achatinella fuscobasis was released recently into the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve of the Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu.
Islands Hospice awards $5K to Lahaina Community Land Trust
Islands Hospice has announced that field nurse Tram Iwamaye is the latest awardee of its employee giving program, Makana Pono.
Schatz: ‘Must-pass’ federal bill includes $1.6B in long-term housing funds for Maui
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that a bipartisan spending deal includes over $12 billion for disaster recovery, with Maui set to receive $1.6 billion for housing and hundreds of millions for economic development, small business loans, and water infrastructure.
Baldwin High School received educational materials from Daughters of the American Revolution
Baldwin High School students will learn more about the American revolution after receiving numerous books, revolutionary-era maps and supplies for timelines from the Polly Cooper Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Two people displaced after home fire on Puʻunēnē Ave. in Kahului
Two adults were displaced when a fire at an attached cottage to a home in Kahului burned part of the structure and its contents. Total damages were estimated at $47,000 to the structure located on the 400 block of Puʻunēnē Ave.
Mālama Maui Nui’s Kīhei Go Green Recycling event continues in December by appointment
A bulk-item recycling event hosted by Mālama Maui Nui for residents of South Maui continues on Saturday, Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Azekas.
Hirono joins Democratic senators in introducing legislation to protect parents of transgender children
Hawaiʻi US Sen. Mazie Hirono has joined 20 Democratic colleagues in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. If passed by Congress, the amendment would remove language that would strip away service members’ parental rights to access medically necessary health care for their transgender children.
Atlas Insurance donates $10,000 to Hale Mahaolu
The Atlas Insurance Agency Foundation donated $10,000 to Hale Mahaolu to support its work with badly needed affordable housing, Atlas Insurance Agency announced.
Last-minute holiday shopping at Kōkua for Maui local business event on Dec. 22-23
The LahainaTown Action Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, invites residents and visitors to finish their holiday shopping at the Kōkua for Maui: Shop Local and Show Aloha event on Sunday, Dec. 22, and Monday, Dec. 23, at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.
Maui visitor industry delivers meals and gifts to kūpuna
Members of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association helped prepare and deliver more than 500 gourmet meals and gifts to Maui County seniors during the annual Winter Nā Kūpuna Appreciation Event on Dec. 13.
Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya opens first location on the Valley Isle
Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya opened its fifth Hawaiʻi location at Maui Mall Village recently, bringing its flavorful menu of ramen, rice bowls, and izakaya dishes to Maui. Located near Center Court, next to Genki Sushi, across from the Regal Cinemas Maui Mall, the new restaurant has seating for up to 40 guests. A soft opening is underway with the official grand opening set for Jan. 6, 2025.
