Atlantis Submarines Maui Resumes Operations After Wildfire Shutdown
Atlantis Submarines Maui has returned to operation nearly three years after the Lahaina wildfire destroyed most of their fleet, with employees now taking visitors on underwater tours again. Atlantis Submarines lost nearly all equipment in the 2023 Lahaina fire but has now resumed tourist operations. The company’s shuttle boat is the only vessel that survived […]
High Surf Advisory Issued for South-Facing Shores Through Weekend
A High Surf Advisory is in effect for Maui’s south-facing shores through Sunday afternoon due to a building south-southwest swell. Large surf could cause wave runup issues on exposed beaches during peak tide cycles. High Surf Advisory remains active through Sunday afternoon for south-facing shores. Wave runup may sweep across typically dry exposed beaches during […]
Maui Cat Café and Local Businesses Compete for National Recognition Awards
Cat Café Maui in Kahului is nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Cat Cafés list, along with several other Hawaii businesses competing in various tourism-related categories. Cat Café Maui at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center is one of 20 nominees for USA Today’s Best Cat Cafés award. Public voting is open daily until June 22, with winners announced […]
Rock Musician Sammy Hagar Plans Summer Tour from Maui Base
Rock star Sammy Hagar, speaking from his part-time Maui home, announced his upcoming summer concert tour featuring Van Halen songs. The tour could bring additional visitors to Hawaii as part of his expanded concert schedule. Sammy Hagar announced his Best of All Worlds summer tour while speaking from his part-time Maui residence. The tour features […]
Maui County April Jobless Rate Rises Slightly to 2.6%, Stays Below US Average
Maui County’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 2.6% in April from 2.5% in March, but remains well below the national rate of 4%. Maui Island unemployment rose to 2.6% in April, matching last year’s rate for the same month. Moloka’i saw the largest increase, jumping from 1.9% to 2.4% unemployment month-over-month. Lāna’i was the only […]
Tiger Shark Attacks Kayakers Off Olowalu in Maui Waters
A couple kayaking off Olowalu was attacked by a large tiger shark that bit and shook their kayak before they fought it off. Marine biologists say the area is known as a tiger shark mating ground that coincides with humpback season. Tiger shark larger than 12 feet attacked kayakers over a mile offshore near Olowalu, […]
Maui Ocean Center Educator Selected for Pacific Deep-Sea Research Fellowship
A Marine Institute educator from Maui Ocean Center will join a 30-day Pacific Ocean research expedition in August, broadcasting live to Maui schools and community groups. Sabrina Medina was chosen as one of 14 Science Communication Fellows for a deep-sea expedition near Wake Island. The 30-day voyage will explore uncharted ocean habitats and maritime heritage […]
Hawaii AG Skips Federal Medicaid Fraud Meeting, Cites Short Notice
Hawaii’s Attorney General Anne Lopez joined other Democratic AGs in declining to attend a White House roundtable on welfare fraud, saying they received insufficient notice for the Tuesday meeting. Hawaii AG Anne Lopez was among five Democratic attorneys general who skipped a federal fraud roundtable. The AGs said they received invitations on Friday afternoon for […]
Legislature Cuts Funding for Mental Health Facilities as Counties Remove Homeless
The Hawaii Legislature has eliminated funding for mental health facilities just as counties begin forcibly removing people with mental health issues from the streets. Legislature removed funding for mental health placement facilities. Counties are simultaneously beginning forced removal of homeless individuals with mental health issues from streets. The timing creates a gap between removal efforts […]
Council Committee Advances Bill to Raise Vehicle Noise Violation Fines
A Maui County Council committee unanimously voted to send a bill increasing fines for loud vehicle sound systems to the full Council, despite some members questioning its effectiveness. The bill would increase monetary penalties for vehicle noise violations while removing a previously proposed vehicle forfeiture clause. Maui Police and the Prosecuting Attorney’s office support the […]