Komar Maui Properties, Lot 1-B in Puʻunēnē near the Central Maui Landfill. PC: Komar Maui Properties. An affiliate of Komar Investments today filed a complaint in Federal District Court for declaratory and injunctive relief against Maui County’s impending eminent domain action for acquisition of a 20-acre parcel next to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē. Condemnation of Komar’s parcel was authorized by the Maui County Council on April 5, 2024. Komar’s lawsuit seeks to prevent the County from taking more land than they feel is necessary from the 20-acre parcel to accommodate the Lahaina fir ..read more

Navigator, Nainoa Thompson was recognized by the American Association of Geographers as this year’s Honorary Geographer. PC: Polynesian Voyaging Society. The American Association of Geographers (AAG) has announced Nainoa Thompson as this year’s Honorary Geographer. This annual award recognizes excellence in research, teaching, or writing on geographic topics by non-geographers. Thompson was recognized and gave a presentation at the AAG annual meeting yesterday afternoon. The AAG annual meeting is being held in Honolulu from April 16-20. “This award honors Nainoa for his groundbreaking efforts ..read more

Native Hawaiian Convention 2023. PC: Wendy Osher (11.14.23) The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and American Express have opened the Maui Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which supports Maui-based small businesses impacted by the devastating wildfires of August 2023. The program will provide 100 businesses with $5,000 grants and business coaching to help them rebuild and grow their business. To be eligible for a grant, businesses must: Employ between three and 20 individuals (including owners), Have at least one physical or online business location in Maui (established on or prior to ..read more

Aerial view of the Lahaina shows the aftermath of a wildfire that killed at least 101 and destroyed the former capital of Hawaiʻi. A comprehensive timeline of the events prior to, during and immediately after the Aug. 8-9 disaster was released Wednesday morning. (8.11.23) PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources A comprehensive timeline for the Aug. 8-9 Lahaina wildfire has been released by Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez. The Phase 1 report is the first of three to be completed as part of an independent investigation by the Fire Safety Research Institute. “Responsible governan ..read more

The combined retail staff of the Makawao and Pukalani Post Offices (left) and the retail staff of the Kula Post Office (right) celebrate their success and recognition. The US Postal Service recently recognized the Kula, Makawao and Pukalani Post Offices as among its very best postal retail offices in the entire nation. PC: USPS. Maui County Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura has introduced a resolution to recognize Upcountry post offices for being among the best in the United States. The proposed ceremonial resolution will be taken up at the Council’s April 19 regular meeting ..read more

Solar energy company Independent Energy president Desta Rudolph (right). Left photo: Independent Energy president Desta Rudolph and Project Empower executive director John Cheever visit one of the emergency housing units at ‘Ohana Hope Village. The president of solar energy company Independent Energy, Desta Rudolph, has donated $50,000 to Project Empower, a nonprofit that has focused on helping Maui recover from deadly wildfires that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, displacing thousands of residents. Nearly eight months after one of the nation’s most deadly and destructive natural disas ..read more

Photo Credit: Tyler Rooke West Side Today: Mostly sunny. Isolated showers early in the morning. Highs 73 to 80. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers after midnight. Lows 62 to 68. Northeast winds up to 15 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent. Thursday: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs 74 to 81. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. South Side Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 81. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows around 64. North winds ..read more

Maui High School. Photo by Wendy Osher. A Maui High School graduate has committed a $10 million endowment to the Maui High School Foundation, a gift that is likely the largest endowment ever to be made from a graduate to a Hawai‘i public school. “This is a monumental moment for our school and we are so grateful. When I told my foundation staff about it, they were very emotional,” said Maui High School principal Jamie Yap. “This endowment will ensure that our students are able to pursue their educational passions during and beyond high school, a gift that will keep on giving for a lon ..read more

Photo Credit: Lissette Ivy-Jacob Shores Tonight Wednesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 7-10 7-10 7-10 6-8 West Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 South Facing 4-6 4-6 4-6 3-5 East Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 TONIGHT Weather Partly cloudy. Isolated showers. Low Temperature In the mid 60s. Winds North winds 5 to 10 mph. Tides Kahului Low 0.5 feet 03:12 PM HST. High 1.9 feet 11:22 PM HST. WEDNESDAY Weather Mostly sunny. Isolated showers. High Temperature In the upper 70s. Winds Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tides Kahului Low 0.5 feet 06:52 AM HST ..read more

Māla Wharf in Lahaina. (March 2024) PC: Brian Perry Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey (District 6 – West Maui, Māʻalaea, Waikapū, South Maui) thanked Gov. Josh Green for releasing $3,2000,000 in capital improvement project funds to finance improvements at Māla Wharf and Ramp in West Maui, including resurfacing of the roadway and parking areas, drainage and comfort station improvements, and new lighting. “The necessity for this funding has been keenly felt in the community, especially considering the ongoing challenges faced by the area,” Sen. McKelvey said, highlighting the timely nature of this initia ..read more