West Papuan Graduate Completes UH Mānoa Studies, Worked on Maui Project
A West Papuan student became the first in his tribe to earn a master’s degree from UH Mānoa’s landscape architecture program. He worked on a community resilience project in West Maui as part of his studies. Dersel Bonai earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from UH Mānoa, becoming the first in his tribal lineage to […]
Hyatt Regency Maui Welcomes First Penguin Chick in 17 Years
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort celebrated the hatching of an African Penguin chick on April 24, the first birth in nearly 17 years. The chick will make its public debut on World Ocean Day, June 8, with a Hawaiian blessing ceremony. The three-week-old chick joins a colony of seven adult African Penguins as part of a […]
State Health Department Tracks International Disease Outbreaks
Hawaii’s Department of Health is monitoring Ebola and Hantavirus outbreaks in Africa, but officials say the risk to Hawaii remains very low due to no direct flights and enhanced screening measures. WHO declared a public health emergency for Bundigbugyo virus (Ebola strain) outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Hawaii has no direct air […]
State hosts business symposium with Philippines to explore trade partnerships
Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will host a trade symposium with the Philippines in May 2026, focusing on economic partnerships and workforce solutions. The event includes panel discussions on trade expansion and talent exchange between the two regions. The symposium will address workforce shortages and pathways for talent exchange between Hawaii and […]
Maui AgFest Cooking Competition Features 12 Local Chefs on May 30
The Grand Taste competition at Maui AgFest will showcase 12 chefs creating dishes with local ingredients on May 30. The event highlights Maui’s culinary scene and agricultural partnerships that support the island’s restaurant industry. Twelve Maui chefs will compete in four categories using locally-grown produce and island-sourced meat and fish. The event strengthens relationships between […]
Charity Golf Tournament at Mākena to Support Lahaina Fire Recovery Efforts
Mākena Golf & Beach Club will host a community golf tournament on August 30, 2026, with proceeds benefiting Lahaina Community Land Trust and Hawai’i Land Trust for ongoing fire recovery work. All tournament proceeds will directly support land trusts advancing Lahaina’s long-term recovery efforts. The event brings together community leaders and supporters focused on healing […]
Fatal Traffic Accident Closes Honoapiʻilani Highway Near Kīhei
A 55-year-old Haʻikū woman died from injuries sustained in a May 10 head-on collision on Honoapiʻilani Highway near North Kīhei Road. This marks Maui County’s third traffic fatality of 2026. Teresa Campisi died May 17 after her vehicle crossed the median and collided head-on with another car on May 10. The crash occurred on Honoapiʻilani […]
Hawaii County Proposes Property Tax Increases for Second Homes, Investments
Hawaii County Council is considering raising property tax rates on non-resident and second homes to address a $15 million budget deficit, while reducing rates for local owner-occupied properties. Tax rates would increase most for properties over $2 million, rising from $13.60 to $15 per $1,000 of taxable value. A new ‘luxury’ tier tax rate of […]
Maui Surfer Ian Walsh Awards $30K in Scholarships to Local Students
Professional surfer Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem Foundation awarded $30,000 in scholarships to eight Maui high school students. The foundation has now distributed $178,750 in scholarships since 2018. Eight local students each received $3,750 scholarships from Walsh’s foundation. The foundation has awarded nearly $179,000 in total scholarships since 2018. Recipients come from multiple Maui high schools […]
County Pauses New Speed Humps After Installing 69 Traffic Devices
Maui County installed 69 speed humps and similar traffic-calming devices across the island in the past year, prompting resident complaints and a temporary pause on new installations in Haʻikū. The county installed 69 traffic-calming devices including speed humps and speed tables on roads across Maui in the past year. Nearly half of the installations (37) […]