Privacy Policy | About Our Ads a private equity investor and self storage developer announced that it has executed a long-term ground lease for the development of a new Class A self-storage facility in Kahului the facility will include 728 individual storage units totaling approximately 88,700 net rentable square feet The facility is expected to open in the third quarter of 2027 The announcement follows DXD Capital’s ongoing development of a new Class A storage facility in Kīhei That project will feature 355 individual storage units Located in the Maui Research & Technology Park in Kīhei non-climate-controlled units designed to be especially helpful to Maui’s commercial customer base This facility is expected to begin leasing in the summer of 2025 is a strategically located commercial hub in Central Maui offering convenient access to Kahului Harbor Its proximity to major retailers and service providers has made it a preferred location for businesses to enter or expand into the market the addition of DXD’s facility will enhance the area’s service offerings and help meet increasing demand for high-quality storage “The Maui Business Park location aligns with our strategy of investing in high-quality Class A facilities with strong commercial connectivity,” said Drew Dolan “It’s unique to be next to Lowe’s A&B has established a vibrant business environment at Maui Business Park and we are excited to partner on this project.” DXD has invested in 30 self-storage developments and one seven-facility portfolio acquisition across the United States Kahu Lyons Kapi’ioho Naone speaks during a blessing ceremony at the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore on Friday the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore opened to the public on Friday marking the completion of a yearslong project at the beachfront property overlooking Kahului Bay “Blessing a property like this in traditional style takes a lot of time,” Kainoa Horcajo told a small crowd gathered for the ceremony “We go throughout the entire property around the entire perimeter of the property through all the floors and the rooms.” He explained that a new building is much like when a newborn baby takes their first breath and we give it a life and purpose of its own,” Horcajo said “It’s you guys that come in this place teach it what kind of life it’s supposed to live … and it starts today with this.” Kainoa Horcajo speaks during a blessing ceremony for the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore on Friday Kahu Lyons Kapi’ioho Naone performed the blessing and he echoed Horcajo’s statements about purpose and guidance guests were welcomed inside to enjoy light refreshments is the Hampton’s first property on Maui each with a view of either Kahului Bay to the northwest or Haleakala to the southeast and kamaʻaina will receive 25% off their stay with a valid Hawai’i ID The Hampton Inn will be managed by Springboard Hospitality which also owns the Maui Beach Hotel and manages the Seaside Hotel “We are so thrilled to be able to open the newest addition to the Kahului Harbor here with the new Hampton Inn,” said Rob Robinson executive vice president of Springboard Hospitality While applauding the construction crews for their work on the Hampton Inn property Robinson said Springboard Hospitality is not only happy to be growing its partnerships on Maui but they are thrilled to be aiding the fire recovery efforts and to be providing jobs both with the construction and now with the Hampton Inn’s ongoing operation a number of the workers gathered on the steps outside the property’s front entrance for a group photo Workers at the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore gather for a group photo during a blessing ceremony for the new property in Kahului on Friday the Hampton Inn has been designed to combine modern comfort with Hawaiian hospitality Key design features include a traditional Hawaiian-inspired porte cochère and color schemes to complement the oceanfront landscape The property also features locally inspired artwork such as a large mural designed and painted by Maui-based artist Alexandra Underwood in the lobby Native plants such as pohinahina and loulu palms have been woven into the design and are meant to symbolize the island’s rich natural heritage The Hampton Inn will also greet guests with a traditional Oshibori ceremony in which essential oil-infused towels are provided to help guests relax and refresh the property is hosting a nightly sunset ceremony signaled by the blowing of the conch Guests can also take part in daily lei-making classes The Palms Bar & Bites is set to open later this summer inside the Hampton Inn with service in the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor patio space “We’re beyond excited to welcome guests to Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore this spring and to contribute to the island’s positive tourism resurgence,” said Serkan Hizliok area general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore “From thoughtful design to culturally immersive experiences every detail of the property is deeply inspired by the spirit of Maui and we’re proud to offer an experience guests won’t find anywhere else.” People in the crowd applaud during a blessing ceremony for the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore on Friday in Kahului All Maui County pools on the Valley Isle will close May 14 for staff training Maui County will host a job fair with 20 different departments from police .. Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street Hawai‘i — The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) conducted a blessing and dedication ceremony for a new and expanded passenger waiting area at the Kahului Airport (OGG) which serves Gates 1 to 15 in the airport’s southern concourse was constructed by connecting two existing waiting areas and enclosing the open-air walkway that separated them The result is a spacious 17,000-square-feet air-conditioned area that can seat 460 passengers a newly created garden deck provides an outdoor seating option for Kahului passengers Other improvements include modifications to the gate service counter areas lighting and flight information display systems Construction began in May 2021 and was completed in November 2024 The total cost of the project was $62 million passengers departing out of Kahului Airport now have more inviting spacious and comfortable areas – both indoor and outdoor — to relax and unwind before boarding their flight,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen “The new and expanded waiting area and new outdoor garden deck at Kahului Airport are part of the state’s continuing efforts to modernize our airports statewide and improve the overall experience for the traveling public.” like all of the airports that serve the neighbor islands was originally built to accommodate interisland flights with capacity of approximately 115 passengers Current operations include overseas flights to the mainland with capacity of approximately 290 passengers The newly expanded waiting area is now better suited to accommodate both interisland and mainland flights Photos courtesy of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Photo 2 – New waiting area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Waiting-Area-1-scaled.jpg Photo 3 – New waiting area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Waiting-Area-2-scaled.jpg Photo 4 – New waiting area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Waiting-Area-3-scaled.jpg Photo 5 – New waiting area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Waiting-Area-4-scaled.jpg Photo 6 – New garden deck seating area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Garden-Deck-1-scaled.jpg Photo 7 – New garden deck seating area at Kahului Airport – https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kahului-Airport-Garden-Deck-2-scaled.jpg Maui police say a pedestrian struck while crossing Dairy Road in Kahului earlier this week has died On Monday night, Kagel was rushed to Maui Memorial Medical Center after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Dairy Road “The Maui Police Department extends our deepest condolences to Ms.Kagel’s family and friends,” said MPD in a news release a 63-year-old woman driving a white Toyota Camry Solara struck Kagel at about 8:30 p.m Kagel was walking northwest across Dairy Road outside of a marked crosswalk about 270 feet north of Maui Marketplace Drive This was Maui County’s ninth traffic fatality this year compared with five at the same time last year The Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore officially opened Friday on the former site of the historic Maui Palms Hotel in Kahului—marking the first Hampton Inn by Hilton on Maui and only the second in Hawaiʻi Located between the longstanding Maui Beach and Maui Seaside hotels the newly constructed 136-room property is operated by Springboard Hospitality and aims to blend modern comfort with Hawaiian hospitality “We’re beyond excited to welcome guests to Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore this spring and to contribute to the island’s positive tourism resurgence,” said general manager Serkan Hizliok “From thoughtful design to culturally immersive experiences and we’re proud to offer an experience guests won’t find anywhere else.” a mid-century property advertised as “new” in the 1950s and shuttered in the 1990s Most of the original structure was demolished in 2002 Plans for a new hotel on the site have been in the works for nearly a decade “It’s a lot of work to get a hotel opened,” said Rob Robinson executive vice president at Springboard Hospitality during Friday’s blessing and opening ceremony The Hampton Inn opens amid a slow recovery in Maui’s visitor industry Robinson told Maui Now that island-wide demand remains lower than stakeholders would like but he believes the hotel is “in a great position” as travel picks back up “We look forward to welcoming more Hilton Honors members to Maui” Robinson said Hilton’s presence on Maui has so far been limited to the Grand Wailea The new Hampton Inn fills a gap for the brand in central Maui Hampton Inn by Hilton is known for serving “quality-driven and value-conscious travelers,” offering complimentary Wi-Fi free hot breakfast and spacious guest rooms with every corner of the building—a tradition to cleanse and energize a new space and we give it a life and a purpose of its own,” said cultural practitioner Kainoa Horcajo during the ceremony “It’s you who come inside this place that teach it how to behave tell it what kind of life it’s supposed to live.” The hotel’s design is rooted in local culture and landscape with natural color palettes inspired by sand A centerpiece mural by Maui artist Alexandra Underwood anchors the lobby native plants and elements of the island’s natural beauty Guests can also take part in daily lei-making workshops enjoy a traditional Oshibori towel welcome upon arrival and experience a nightly sunset pū (conch shell) ceremony—intentional touches meant to connect travelers with the rhythms of island life each with views of Haleakalā or Kahului Bay ADA-accessible and connecting options and amenities including a fitness center free breakfast and a complimentary shuttle to Kahului Airport Kamaʻāina receive 25% off with valid Hawaiʻi ID the Hampton Inn will open its own eatery—The Palms Bar & Bites—offering casual local fare and tropical cocktails with views of the bay The restaurant’s name is a nod to the Maui Palms Hotel that once stood in its place For more information or to book a stay, visit the hotel website.  A 28-year-old pedestrian died after a Thursday night crash in Kahului the third traffic fatality on Maui in one day He was identified Sunday at Tory Nabu of Kahului Maui Police Department officials said that at about 8:46 p.m. a 2017 Ford Fusion was traveling Wailuku-bound in the outer right lane of Kahului Beach Road when it struck the man who was crossing the road from the ocean toward the Harbor Lights Apartments The victim sustained critical injuries and was taken to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment His identity was not immediately released to allow his family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was not injured and alcohol as factors in the crash is pending investigation Separately today, Maui police identified the victim in a Thursday afternoon’s fatal crash on Honoapiilani Highway as Julius Ponce, 43, also of Kahului. Police said he died after crashing into a stopped car on the highway at about 4:07 p.m Also on Thursday night, a 1-year-old boy died after he was hit by a car pulling into a driveway in Kahului a 2016 Nissan Altima driven by a 17-year-old girl was pulling into a driveway on Poheoheo Street in Kahului when it struck a 1-year-old toddler from Makawao who was on a sidewalk in front of a home The child was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center There have been eight traffic fatalities on Maui so far this year The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Maui Food Safety Branch allowed Ramen Bones to reopen issuing a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on March 27 The establishment is operated by Ramen Bones Inc. The establishment has eliminated all cockroach activity and removed all grease and food debris from kitchen surfaces since the initial routine inspection conducted on March 13 The DOH is allowing the restaurant to reopen and resume operations to the public The restaurant has since worked with its professional pest control company to have multiple treatments conducted and the implementation of a pest monitoring program to help prevent future infestations from occurring The DOH is requiring the establishment to continue:  The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard to Ramen Bones during a routine follow-up inspection conducted on March 17 A routine inspection was conducted on March 13 and a yellow “conditional” placard was posted due to the presence of some cockroaches The establishment was instructed to have professional pest control treatment completed before the follow-up inspection on the following Monday The DOH reports: “A greater number of cockroaches were observed at the routine inspection including roaches that were dropping egg cases within the walk-in refrigerator door seals No pest control services had been conducted It was determined that there was an active breeding roach population so a red “closed” placard was posted and the restaurant was shut down.” The establishment must meet the following requirements prior to DOH scheduling a follow-up inspection: The establishment was required to provide an update and timeline for completion of the listed requirements by March 19 The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared The branch also investigates sources of foodborne illnesses and potential adulteration It is also responsible for mitigating the effects of these incidents to prevent any future occurrences The DOH food safety specialists strive to work with business owners food service workers and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation and employee hygiene practices For more information on the department’s placarding program go to http://health.hawaii.gov/san/. For more information about current establishment inspections, click here In partnership with Hawai‘i Dental Service Foundation and Hawai‘i Public Health Institute the Hawai‘i Oral Health Coalition is hosting “Smiles for Miles,” a community health and wellness event this weekend to promote the importance of oral health as an essential part of overall wellness at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului from 10 a.m and will feature free health services and activities for the entire family No registration is required to participate For more information, contact the Hawai‘i Oral Health Coalition at info@hiohc.org Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises highway users that single lanes will be closed at the intersection of Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) Maui Veterans Highway (Route 311) and Mayor Elmer F HDOT will be removing an old camera system HDOT recently installed new traffic detection cameras at the intersection for operational improvements There will be two sets of different lane closures each day Puʻunēnē Avenue – The right through lane in the southbound direction will be closed Kūihelani Highway –The left through lane in the westbound direction will be closed Maui Veterans Highway – One left-turn lane in the westbound direction will be closed Cravalho Way – The left through lane in the westbound direction will be closed Puʻunēnē Avenue – The left through lane in the southbound direction will be closed Maui Veterans Highway – The left through lane in the southbound direction will be closed One left-turn lane in the westbound direction will be closed Cravalho Way – One left-turn lane in the southbound direction will be closed Puʻunēnē Avenue – One left-turn lane in the eastbound direction will be closed Kūihelani Highway – The left through lane in the northbound direction will be closed Cravalho Way – The left through lane in the northbound direction will be closed One left-turn lane in the southbound will be closed The left through lane in the northbound direction will be closed Maui Veterans Highway – The left through lane in the northbound direction will be closed Cravalho Way – The right through lane in the westbound direction will be closed https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TCP-1-10-22-u.png https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TCP-2-10-22-u-.png https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2024/10/Edited-TCP-10-24-1-.png https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TCP-4-10-24-u.png HDOT reminds motorists to drive with caution and to follow all traffic control signs through the work zone By Peter Boylan Crime in HawaiiMaui A 41-year-old man allegedly told his therapist he killed a 43-year-old woman who was identified today as Janinekara Sturgeon of Kahului “The Maui Police Department extends our deepest condolences to Ms Sturgeon’s family and friends,” read a statement to the news media from MPD The 41-year-old Kahului male arrested in the case remains in police custody “The investigation remains ongoing; no further information is available at this time,” according to MPD MPD received a 911 call from a caller who “stated that a former client came to their office and said he killed someone before he departed.” MPD officers checked the 41-year-old man’s house at 111 Kahului Beach Road “No life-saving measures were performed as it was determined the female was deceased,” according to MPD after a brief search the man was located in Hoaloha Park in Kahului where he was arrested on suspicion of murder in the second degree The man was transported to the Wailuku Police Station booked and and will remain in police custody The new Maui Bus Kahului Transit Center is set to open on Wednesday near Kahului Public Library and fronting Kahului Lani Apartment Complex All Maui Bus services currently operating from Queen Kaʻahumanu Center will relocate to the new Kahului Transit Center The final day of service at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center will be Tuesday Changes to the Maui Bus Fixed Route Service are as follows: The Maui Bus ADA Paratransit Service will have later hours of service available in the evenings from Central Maui to Lahaina and Kīhei Maui Bus general fares are $2 per boarding or $4 for a daily pass Monthly passes and fare-free rates are also available The Maui Bus schedule that takes effect Nov. 20 is available on the County website at www.mauicounty.gov/bus under Bus Route Updates.  Riders are able to track their bus in real time and receive arrival predictions using the Maui Bus app, available on iOS and Android or at mauibus.org For more information, call the Maui County Department of Transportation at 808-270-7511 or email public.transit@mauicounty.gov  The Maui Police Department thanked the public for their assistance The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help with any information on the whereabouts of Terry Moyer by family members after receiving concerning letters from him  Checks made at his residence revealed Moyer was not home He was last seen by a family member on Wednesday and calls to his cell phone remain unanswered  Moyer operates a blue-colored 1993 Chevy Blazer bearing Hawaii license plate MZC434.  Moyer is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall  It is unknown what type of clothing or footwear he was last wearing Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Moyer is asked to call the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency number at 808-244-6400 dial 911 and refer to MPD report number 25-007136 The Kahului Public Library will temporarily close to complete extensive interior renovations beginning Friday The last day for all library services at the Kahului branch will be Thursday Library patrons may pick up their requests at the Kahului Public Library through Oct that day and will remain closed for the duration of the renovation project Borrowed items may be returned to any other public library during the closure patrons are invited to visit any public library The two closest libraries to Kahului are: Wailuku Public Library (251 South High St. phone 808-243-5766) or Kīhei Public Library (35 Waimahaihai St. At this time, the renovation project is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2025. Updates will be posted on Kahului Public Library’s web page at: librarieshawaii.org/branch/kahului-public-library/ This article brought to you in partnership with the Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative — a Maui-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization At the Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē shelter created in Kahului to house Lahaina fire survivors who had been homeless before the 2023 tragedy the quickly installed military-grade tents are now deteriorating and will soon be replaced with temporary tiny homes these temporary homes are expected to be converted into a kauhale the name the State of Hawaiʻi has given to the tiny village communities it’s been working the last few years to build across the islands for unhoused people Get more stories like these delivered straight to your inbox Sign up for the Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative's weekly newsletter: But the location of this kauhale on Maui has yet to be determined according to the state Department of Human Services and the nonprofit HomeAid Hawai‘i which plans to develop the tiny homes.  HomeAid Hawai‘i Executive Director Kimo Carvalho said the original plan was to construct the kauhale on the same land as the shelter which is at the busy corner of Hāna Highway and Mayor Elmer Carvalho Way near the Kahului Airport Earlier this month, the Nareit Foundation announced it had awarded a $150,000 grant to HomeAid Hawai‘i to develop a project called Kīpūola Kauhale a community of 125 tiny homes with shared amenities on the site where Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē currently stands While that location was the intended site when HomeAid Hawai‘i applied for the grant around March 2024 Carvalho said the site owned by the state Department of Transportation has challenges with permanent sewer and water service It also took three months to bring in permanent power if that is a viable option,” Carvalho said then we are actively considering other sites.” Neither the nonprofit nor the state could provide a specific location at this time A HomeAid Hawai‘i webpage for the project was taken down on Thursday because Carvalho said the information was outdated He said the concept was floated to share with donors and investors but that without a permanent site or final plans the nonprofit couldn’t yet provide a timeline or cost.  The transition from tents housing unrelated people to more private constructed homes is geared partly toward addressing criticism last year by former staff and residents who cited safety concerns in the wake of fights and multiple deaths on-site The tents that made up the shelter “were never intended to be long term,” said Joseph Campos deputy director of the Department of Human Services “We are transitioning to the small units to provide a hardened structure for people with individual spaces to help in their recovery,” he said HomeAid Hawai‘i stepped in last August to help site operator Project Vision Hawai‘i with managing the property and improving health and safety on-site “We are erecting physical structures for this very reason to support the State and Project Vision Hawaii through the duration of the operation until all tents have been decommissioned,” Carvalho said via email on Thursday He added that the tents have been worn down by “two storms constant winds and heavy environmental conditions” and need to be replaced soon.  No tiny homes have been built yet; the nonprofit is aiming for “several dozen,” but said it will depend on the need The temporary tiny homes can also be relocated.  “If it gets converted into a permanent kauhale we’ll adjust to that,” Carvalho said While Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē began as emergency shelter for Lahaina fire survivors who previously were unhoused it is now is open to anyone currently unhoused HomeAid said there were 120 people living at the shelter when they first stepped in Only 20 of those came from Red Cross hotel shelters The goal is to get as many people as possible into permanent housing while “decommissioning” the tents which “is going to last at least through the year,” Carvalho said Carvalho said the more permanent goal is to have a kauhale somewhere in Central Maui as well as in West Maui Inspired by the history of communal living spaces in Hawaiian culture, the state’s Kauhale Initiative aims to create a different type of housing option for unhoused residents The state’s modern version of a kauhale includes small low-cost housing units with shared spaces for cooking and eating growing food or engaging in other activities.  In a Jan. 13 presentation to state lawmakers Josh Green reported that 16 total kauhale had been completed to date and that 10 more were in the pipeline for 2025 He expected there to be 30 operational kauhale by 2026 and asked for $50 million in each of the next two fiscal years to support kauhale projects HomeAid Hawai‘i has been the developer of several kauhale sites Carvalho said two sites on Hawai‘i island and two sites on Kaua‘i have also been identified as “strong potential” locations while at least two sites are being scouted on Maui In the meantime, HomeAid has been trying to address concerns raised by Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē residents and former staff, who have cited substance abuse and deaths on-site and fights that they say were not policed unless someone was injured.  Darrah “Makana” Kauhane, executive director of Project Vision Hawai‘i, confirmed at a Maui County Council committee meeting in June that there had been three deaths on-site but did not provide additional details because of privacy laws. In August the Maui Police Department told Hawai’i News Now that there had been six deaths since Oct its security contractor has conducted day and night patrols to account for sheltered and unsheltered people in the area and talked to businesses about crimes in the area. He said they’ve often stopped people from slipping drugs into the site but we keep maintaining the peace and the safety and we make sure that there’s consequences to actions,” Carvalho said.  When asked about health and safety concerns at the site the director of housing for Project Vision Hawai‘i who has been involved with the site since it opened explaining he was not authorized to speak on the issue.   Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē has cost the state about $8.2 million from Sept That includes $6.8 million for property management and wraparound services and nearly $1.4 million for site work and shelters according to the Department of Human Services Local advocates who work with houseless communities on Maui say they hope operations will improve at the site and that the state will be more transparent with community groups was one of the many volunteers who helped set up the tents when the shelter first opened His nonprofit visits the shelter every Wednesday to gather up to 30 individual loads and take them to the Kahului Laundromat to wash.  Hansen has been frustrated by the lack of communication with the shelter management He said many good staff at the shelter as well as outside providers who were involved from the start have been pushed out and treated like “outsiders” whose opinions weren’t heeded He thinks a kauhale is a much better option but worries about how it will be run given the problems at the current site.  “Whoever is running and operating it needs to be willing to work with the community to allow the nonprofits that want to help to help and to break down any barriers to doing that,” Hansen said really good people that were gung-ho about it and willing to sacrifice time and energy … but then they just kind of were like no who runs the organization Share Your Mana and is on the board of directors of the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority also agreed that a kauhale with individual units would be a much better alternative to putting strangers “with really significant stressors in their life” together in a tent on a site that’s not close to public transportation or facilities She said it would give people a chance to live in stable housing get to know their neighbors and be more invested in their community Darcy also felt there had been a lack of transparency with the community and “conflicting reports” from departments on future plans for the site She wanted to see a public meeting with the input and involvement of groups who regularly work with unhoused residents on island “You don’t do anything in silence on Maui and so if they are not doing community discussions and really pounding the pavement here … it just seems doomed all over again,” Darcy said Carvalho said “we’re doing as much as we can” to be transparent and inclusive and that they have gone to Maui Homeless Alliance meetings to explain their plans “We understand the county needs homeless solutions but that is not what the site was meant to do,” Carvalho said “And everyone’s looking to kauhale and I get that and the site really determines what’s possible and not possible.” Last year, Maui County saw a decline in the number of people experiencing homelessness, from 704 in 2023 to 654 in 2024, according to a point-in-time count conducted every January in counties across the country that didn’t account for the thousands of people displaced from the 2023 wildfires — last year’s survey noted that in January 2024 there were 5,245 people in noncongregate emergency shelters opened by the Red Cross in local hotels The number of people who were homeless but sheltered increased by 16% from 2023 to 2024 The point-in-time count report noted that this was likely because the creation of Pu‘uhonua o Nēnē offset the loss in the fire of Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center’s west side shelter.    A new Treecovery grow hub at Kahului Airport is helping those impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires reclaim a piece of what was lost the hub provides free trees to residents rebuilding their homes in Kula and Lahaina allowing them to replant the species that once shaded their yards before the 2023 fires has nearly 6,000 locally sourced trees growing from Kīpahulu to Kapalua it really touches our heart to bring back that ono ‘ulu tree that ono mango tree and that coconut tree so we can drink coconut water,” said Treecovery Hawai‘i board member Ekolu Lindsey “The taste of who we are as people connects us to these places.” The hub’s opening was marked by a blessing at the airport on Tuesday coinciding with the first day of Earth Month 2025 board members and travelers gathered to celebrate with musician Steve Grimes performing original songs including “Lahaina Town” and “Mālama Your Mama.” The tree saplings are displayed at Kahului Airport for both arrivals and departures beneath the central baggage claim’s atrium ceiling and in the nearby courtyard The hub also features a sculpture by artist Dale Zarrella “From the Ashes – Spirits of Aloha,” created from Lahaina fire-charred trees and depicting legendary Hawaiian priest Hiva Hiva Another addition to the display is an air-layer clone of Lahaina’s historic banyan tree This is one of 14 being cultivated on Maui which will eventually be planted back into the Banyan Tree Park and grow back into the mother tree “We’re not just growing trees,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen the 41-year-old Kahului man arrested in conjunction with the case was charged with first degree murder  He remains in police custody with no bail The investigation has been reclassified as a murder investigation by the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division The 43-year-old victim has since been identified as Janinekara Sturgeon of Kahului  The Maui Police Department extended condolences to Sturgeon’s family and friends the 41-year-old Kahului man arrested in conjunction with the case remains in police custody A 41-year-old Kahului man was arrested on suspicion of second degree murder on Wednesday Police say Central Dispatch received a report at around 11:03 a.m 2025 from a caller who stated that a former client came to their office and said he killed someone Upon conducting checks at the man’s residence located at the Harbor Lights Condominium (111 Kahului Beach Road) officers found an unresponsive female.  No life-saving measures were performed as it was determined the woman was deceased.    The victim’s identity is being withheld for 24 hours to allow her family an opportunity to notify their extended family and friends the man was located in Hoʻaloha Park in Kahului where he was placed under arrest.  The man was transported to the Wailuku Police Station without incident.  He currently remains in police custody as the investigation is ongoing A one-year-old Makawao boy succumbed to injuries sustained when he was struck by a car that was pulling into a driveway of a home in Kahului on Thursday night Police say the boy was on the sidewalk fronting a residence on Pōheoheo Place when he was struck by a gray 2016 Nissan Altima the child sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment Police say the involvement of speed is not a factor in this collision The involvement of drugs and alcohol has not been determined as the investigation is ongoing This was Maui County’s eighth traffic fatality of 2025 compared to four at the same time last year The last day of Maui Bus operations at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is today with the opening of the new Kahului Transit Center taking place tomorrow The Maui Bus schedule that takes effect Nov. 20 is available on the County of Maui website at www.mauicounty.gov/bus under “Bus Route Updates.” Riders are able to track their bus in real time and receive arrival predictions using the Maui Bus app, available on iOS or Android or at www.mauibus.org the Kahului Transit Center was celebrated at a blessing Nov Those attending included County of Maui Director of Transportation Marc Takamori state legislators and representatives of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization near Kahului Public Library and Kahului Lani Apartment Complex Mayor Richard Bissen said it was the first time since the Maui Bus started that the County has had a separate transit hub “This will serve as a link for our students our residents and also our visitors who will ride our bus system,” he said Features at the new hub include chargers for the County’s electric bus fleet operate more quietly and lower operation and maintenance costs “This new hub also symbolizes our commitment to public transportation as a way of reducing traffic congestion by supporting multimodal transportation options and also supporting our community’s environmental goals,” he said He thanked Queen Kaʻahumanu Center for being a valuable partner for many years by providing the hub location Local and state officials celebrate the completion of a $62 million project at the Kahului Airport on Wednesday with a blessing of the new passenger waiting area Included in the ceremony were (from left) Ezekiel Kalua of the Maui County Mayor’s Office; Rep the Maui district airports manager for the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation; Sen associate of Design Partners; and Curt Otaguro deputy director of transportation for airports Photo courtesy Hawai‘i Department of Transportation The waiting area for passengers catching flights at the Kahului Airport just got a little more comfortable and a lot bigger With local and state officials in attendance the Hawai’i Department of Transportation hosted on Wednesday a blessing and dedication ceremony for the new and expanded passenger waiting area serving gates 1 to 15 in the airport’s southern concourse the new waiting area was created by connecting two existing waiting areas air-conditioned area that can seat 460 passengers in addition to a new garden deck that provides an outdoor seating option Other improvements at the airport include modifications to the gate service counter areas The new waiting area at the Kahului Airport for gates 1 to 15 is a 17,000-square-foot space with air conditioning that can seat 460 passengers Construction began in May 2021 and was completed in November “To help ease the stress of air travel spacious and comfortable areas — both indoor and outdoor — to relax and unwind before boarding their flight,” Hawai’i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said in a statement “The new and expanded waiting area and new outdoor garden deck at Kahului Airport are part of the state’s continuing efforts to modernize our airports statewide and improve the overall experience for the traveling public.” Kahului Airport was originally built to accommodate interisland flights with a capacity of approximately 115 passengers Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox “Prioritizing resident-first projects will provide stable and affordable living options for local families.” Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected The following came from Carol Lee Kamekona, candidate for Maui County Council Kahului District. The other candidate is Tasha Kama Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot Maui County faces big issues related to the fires What’s the primary thing Maui needs to do now to recover from the fires?   The most urgent need for Maui County post-fires is addressing the extreme lack of affordable housing This issue has plagued Maui for years — it’s not new The fires have exacerbated this crisis and we have seen it unravel the fabric of our community with at least 4,000 fire survivors making the disheartening decision to move off island We must update the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan’s recommendations to include our affordable housing needs after the fires and then we have to finally implement the plan – no more delays efficient system for permitting and financing that prioritizes local residents over off-island investors we should adopt policies that promote equity and access to affordable mortgage financing so that housing costs do not exceed 31% of a household’s income and guarantee subsidies Expanding the Affordable Housing Fund to cover infrastructure costs and housing supports is necessary to do this combined with targeted investments in infrastructure and housing support will ensure we can meet the needs of our local full-time residents allowing them to rebuild their lives and create a sustainable future where every local resident has a place to call home What should Maui do to encourage people to stay What can the county do to ensure that families aren’t priced out?  To encourage residents to stay in Maui County we need comprehensive measures addressing both affordability and quality of life This starts by limiting offshore investments and imposing higher taxes on non-resident owners to deter speculative buying a primary source of hyperinflation in housing for local residents We must work closely with state legislators and workers to push for wages that align with Maui’s high cost of living ensuring families can thrive without resorting to multiple jobs will provide stable and affordable living options for local families We should institute rental caps to keep housing costs in check and implement deed restrictions on county-financed affordable housing that balance the county’s ability to recover investments while allowing families to build generational wealth by capturing some appreciation at sale these properties must be deed-restricted to prevent them from becoming second homes we must ensure that more housing is owned by local full-time residents in perpetuity creating a sustainable and thriving community where local families can live and prosper without the constant threat of being priced out.  Do you support the new state law that allows counties to regulate and even shut down short-term rentals I absolutely support the new state law; it is essential for Maui’s future Short-term rentals have significantly contributed to the housing crisis by increasing prices and reducing availability By regulating non-resident use of residential properties ensuring Hawaiians and long-time residents aren’t priced out of Maui Some claim reducing short-term rentals will catastrophically impact tax revenues But the real crisis hit when Lahaina burned down — that’s when the sky truly fell Legal short-term rentals and hotels haven’t been operating at full occupancy; tourists will find places to stay We need a more progressive property tax system taxing non-resident owners and higher-value properties at higher rates commercial use in conservation districts should be taxed at commercial rates This ensures the burden doesn’t fall on local residents while generating necessary revenue This law would empower Maui County to safeguard land rights and maintain control over zoning and land use aligning with the historical importance of home rule championed by Prince Kuhio By prioritizing local residents and creating a fair tax system we can build a sustainable Maui now and for our seven generations How should it be rebuilt and who should decide My vision for Lahaina is to reconstruct it as a sustainable community that deeply respects and honors its historical significance as the first Kingdom of Hawaii including the stories of Hawaiian Alii like Kauikeouli — Kamehameha III the namesake of the elementary school that burned in the fire Lahaina’s generational ohana and cultural practitioners must have a primary voice in the rebuilding process to ensure that the town’s heritage is not only preserved but also respected Lahaina was once called “the Venice of the Pacific” due to its abundant water flow Lahaina’s natural resources were mismanaged during the plantation era we must rectify these historical injustices by implementing sustainable land and water management practices This approach will ensure Lahaina is not only a place of historical reverence but also a thriving sustainable community for future generations.  What should elected officials do to restore trust in county government?  we need measures that enhance transparency Hawaii has a reputation for government corruption so strengthening the existing Ethics Board is crucial to prevent conflicts of interest and unethical practices We should also consider establishing an Ethics and Accountability Office that functions independently from Corporation Counsel Town hall meetings aren’t just for election season Holding regular town hall meetings throughout the year with participation from all council members regardless of their residency area will keep the community engaged and informed building trust through consistent and open dialogue We should improve the user-friendliness of public data systems and ensure public information requests are handled efficiently and transparently Introducing participatory budgeting will give residents a direct say in how public funds are spent fostering a sense of ownership and accountability Diverse representation on committees is essential actively including individuals from underrepresented groups and those who have experienced houselessness These steps will ensure a government that truly represents and serves its community Do you think Maui County should do more to manage water resources Maui County should do more to manage its water resources the diversion of streams for plantation use has caused severe ecological and cultural damage water is constitutionally protected as a public trust and its management should reflect that principle Implementing the East Maui Water Authority to oversee water resources is a great start Expanding this authority or establishing other regional water authorities such as a Na Wai-Eha Authority or a Lahaina Water Authority would follow a collaborative governance model to ensure that water remains a public trust across Maui County and is not exploited for private profit This approach will ensure sustainable water use benefiting both the local community and the island’s ecosystem By supporting traditional agricultural practices like taro farming and sustainable we can recharge our aquifers while securing the island’s water supply Implementing sustainable water management practices allows us to rectify historical injustices and ensure a reliable water supply for all residents and promote long-term ecological health for Maui.  What is the first thing Maui County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it?  Maui County should prioritize updating building codes to require energy-efficient Adopting the highest energy conservation standards will ensure long-term sustainability Emphasizing the use of sustainable construction materials and designing buildings to be resilient to high winds and fires will help protect against extreme weather events Improving our transit systems by adding express routes and increasing ridership Investing in our fragile health care infrastructure is critical to prepare for climate-related health emergencies and improve community resilience; specifically programs that incentivize our keiki to go into healthcare career fields and continue living in Maui County focusing on sustainable agriculture will reduce our reliance on imported food which is estimated to be almost 90% imported and will help increase the resilience of our local food supply Homelessness is becoming more of an issue on Maui What do you think needs to be changed to help people get into housing Maui County should implement managed encampments and embrace the Housing First model dignified shelter where residents contribute to daily operations These encampments can also serve as transitional housing Ensuring these solutions include access to supportive services such as health care job training and counseling is critical.  relying solely on developers without integrating supportive services does not address the root causes of homelessness the cost to build a unit of housing in Maui County is estimated at $300,000 or more which is not affordable for the houseless population without substantial county and state incentives Housing First has proven effective in rapidly re-housing individuals and providing supportive services to help them stay housed and managed encampments can provide immediate relief when it is most needed By integrating these models and ensuring wrap-around services are readily accessible we can create a sustainable and humane solution to homelessness on Maui Our goal should be that no one goes houseless and different regions face different challenges What would be your approach to improve Maui’s transportation problems?  we should focus on enhancing our public transit system and implementing policies that reduce traffic congestion Establishing express bus routes with limited stops will significantly cut down on travel times for long-distance commuters expanding local bus routes to include more stops at crucial locations such as medical facilities government offices and grocery stores will make public transit more accessible and convenient for residents Introducing an impact fee on car rentals can help fund these improvements and discourage tourists from adding to traffic congestion Encouraging increased ridership on public transit can reduce car dependency creating a more sustainable and efficient transportation system for Maui.  Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter Why glorify rich celebrities who gobble up the Valley Island’s real estate Maybe that hotly debated wall display in Maui’s Kahului Airport is actually perfect It shows visitors arriving on Maui exactly what the island has become: a place where wealthy entertainers from the 1980s who bought property on the island are seen as better than regular local people Credit KITV journalist, Maui-born Aʻaliʻi Dukelow, for first asking questions about the 32-foot-long display Credit Civil Beat investigative reporter Blaze Lovell for digging up the tangled backstory of how the wall was funded In the area of Kahului Airport near the Hawaiian Airlines arrivals and departures gates one section of the wall has pictures that include born-and-raised Maui entertainers and athletes including people like Amy Hanaialʻi Gilliom The second section of the wall bears framed images of actors and musicians who own or owned property on Maui Jim Carrey and Paul Simon under the heading Lovell found out the wall was paid for with county money and created by a nonprofit with family ties to Mayor Richard Bissen’s economic development director Her son Keokoa Mahi’s nonprofit got $44,000 to put up the fawning display of misplaced adoration That’s a lot of money for hanging pictures on a wall Lovell’s story is bigger than that one grant so make sure to read it if you haven’t already there are bigger questions: What was the purpose of this project Why put up a wall of mostly past-their-prime celebrities (sorry but it’s doubtful that anyone younger than 35 recognizes all of these names) at the Kahului Airport Was it to boost tourism? The people seeing the pictures are already at the airport having purchased the plane tickets and booked accommodations Was it to make the island seem more alluring? Maui is beautiful all by itself without having to list rich people who have acquired their acreage where regular folks cannot go Was it to make Maui people feel better about Maui that’s a lousy way to do it. That section of Maui’s “Hall of Fame” doesn’t lift up those who were born in Maui Memorial Hospital if you’re going to be famous on Maui — famous enough to get your picture in the airport as some sort of royalty on the Valley Island — you have to be from somewhere else have enough money to buy a beautiful house looking out on the water and have someone else do your shopping at Costco Then there’s the misuse of the term “kamaaina” which literally means “child of the land,” meaning a person who was born there the word has been co-opted to mean holding a Hawaii driver’s license and being able to get a discount on golf fees at public courses None of those fancy people up on that wall are asking for a discount round of golf at the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course Worse than the sell-out sensibility and the highly questionable grant for the project is the horrible timing of it all debuting less than a year after the Lahaina and Kula fires Maui has been struggling with an identity crisis for years transformed the need for housing for local residents rather than rich outsiders from an emotional debate to an all-out crisis People are leaving Maui because they have been displaced by the thousands As they say their sad goodbyes at Kahului Airport a reminder of who gets to live on the island Rip down that section of the “Hall of Fame.” Replace it with artwork from Maui keiki or posters showing where Amy Hānaialiʻi and Eric Gilliom are gigging because they’re fantastic and should have overflowing crowds every night Or have somebody in the back office make a laminated poster of true kamaaina heroes those who work every day in small but significant ways to make Maui better for everyone You can make a banner like that for forty bucks Or keep it up and view it as protest art; a subversive display of how the wrong things and the wrong people are glorified in gentrified Maui so that maybe it can someday turn back to its authentic self Honolulu Civil Beat is a nonprofit organization and your donation helps us produce local reporting that serves all of Hawaii Lee Cataluna is a columnist for Civil Beat. You can reach her by email at lcataluna@civilbeat.org Ideas is the place you'll find essays, analysis and opinion on public affairs in Hawaiʻi. We want to showcase smart ideas about the future of Hawaiʻi, from the state's sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed By Nina Wu Maui police today identified the victim in Thursday afternoon’s fatal crash on Honoapiilani Highway as Julius Ponce Maui police say a 43-year-old man from Kahului has died after crashing into a stopped car on Honoapiilani Highway Thursday afternoon a woman driving a 2022 Ford Explorer had stopped in the Lahaina-bound lane of the highway about 0.4 miles north of Aloha Ui Street in Waikapu She was waiting to make a left turn onto a farm road who was driving a 1988 Toyota pickup truck but was unable to and collided with the Ford’s rear life-threatening injuries and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center Police said this was Maui County’s seventh traffic fatality this year Maui Bus passengers and its driver safely exited the bus around 3:15 p.m Wednesday after the vehicle’s rear tires were caught in a Kahului sinkhole County of Maui Department of Transportation The area on Lono Avenue near West Kamehameha Avenue was coned off while remaining road repairs went out to bid County DOT said the Maui Bus driver navigated through pooling water before the rear tires were stuck the sinkhole was small and concealed by the water The hole grew to approximately 15-by-30-feet wide and 5-feet deep by the end of the evening due to water pressure and digging according to County Department of Water Supply The sinkhole was caused by an aging 12-inch watermain break a portion of Lono Avenue was closed from around 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. and area water was shut off from 3:30 to 10 p.m. The waterline was successfully repaired by DWS The bus was extracted by D&D Towing and was able to be driven to the Roberts Hawai’i base yard It will undergo minor repairs before returning to service DWS officials encourage motorists to avoid driving through pooling water during flooding water breaks and other infrastructure incidents The Maui Bus that was stuck in a depressed portion of Lono Avenue on Wednesday The road is patched and was open for morning traffic on Thursday A Maui Bus is stuck in a depressed portion of the road on Lono Avenue in Kahului following reports of a water main break in the area The back portion of the bus is lodged in the road just north of the intersection of Kamehameha Avenue Editor’s note: Maui Now’s Wendy Osher contributed to this report “The county needs to responsibly manage water resources because water is a public trust and should be in the hands of those entrusted to serve the public.” The following came from Tasha Kama, candidate for Maui County Council Kahului District. The other candidate is Carol Lee Kamekona Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot What’s the primary thing Maui needs to do now to recover from the fires There is no single thing that needs to be done to recover from the fires We need to do several interrelated actions We need to allow the community to decide on future development We need expedited entitlements and permitting the county will need to subsidize housing costs within a timely basis We need to position the county to successfully utilize $6.6million in federal recovery funds in my backyard” attitude to accelerate this work What should Maui do to encourage people to stay What can the county do to ensure that families aren’t priced out Our community employers need to offer more pay benefits or other incentives that will keep up with the cost of living here on Maui so people can continue to work pay their bills and save for future endeavors The county needs to work with other stakeholders (federal the County Council and administration) to develop policies that protect our residents and incentive employment and retainment Supporting or not supporting is not the question The matter of the county’s authority to regulate short-term rentals is now law I will work to use the county’s new authority in a manner that both maximizes the availability of housing for local residents and does not destroy that portion of our tourism-based economy That is why I pushed the council to fund a study that will provide the needed independent data to evaluate which units currently on the Minatoya List could and should become long-term rentals or owner-occupied and which should remain valuable contributors to our local economy through the provision of tourist accommodations My vision for Lahaina is that the people will garner peace to go about rebuilding their lives and the who should be comprised of the individual property owners (homeowners and commercial owners) in the neighborhoods What should elected officials do to restore trust in county government When possible elected officials should meet one on one with as many people as possible who may not agree with your policy positions for them to get to know the real you and let them decide for themselves if you are trustworthy A formal discussion is always worthy of time The county needs to responsibly manage water resources because water is a public trust and should be in the hands of those entrusted to serve the public The county has much to do to responsibly manage this resource We need to understand the existing water systems both those currently owned by the county and those being managed by others and what are the best practices to manage all of these systems We need to ask ourselves if the county has the capacity to manage our water resources; if not Doing this research and investigation is critical to managing this public resource responsibly What is the first thing Maui County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it The first thing to get in front of climate change is to recognize that while this is a global problem requiring a global solution The residents of Maui County need to be part of that global solution The biggest contributor to greenhouse gases is transportation The county needs to be a leader in reducing transportation demand by promoting alternative modes and travel times the voters of Maui County adopted an amendment to the County Charter that requires the county as an employer to encourage remote work as a method of reducing the carbon-impact of the journey to work That charter amendment was introduced by me as a practical first step to address the county’s contribution to the causes of climate change Besides permitting to the extent practicable alternative work locations I aggressively support the expansion of our existing bus-based transit system so that it can provide a real alternative to driving alone in private automobiles Part of supporting transit as an alternative mode is planning land uses that are transit-friendly I strongly supported the redevelopment of the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center into a mixed-use transit-oriented model for future development on Maui The county needs to prioritize not only sheltering but also accompanying wrap-around social services in the upcoming budget for the unsheltered This is similar to what is already in place for the Lahaina wildfire victims Housing the unsheltered in tiny or modular type home communities can assist in lifting them mentally which will lead to stability of the individual I believe low barrier shelters and similar support systems that offer these services will aid in producing more essential What would be your approach to improve Maui’s transportation problems I am supportive of the Maui Planning Organization (MPO) 4-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to receive federal funds to improve roads Sidewalks and other transportation systems must be updated and/or applied in new proposed development We should do a better job of aligning the MPO TIP with the transportation priorities developed in the community planning process Traffic issues cannot be addressed by capital projects alone Our land use decisions need to be complementary to our transportation plans I led the council’s recent land use changes for the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center so that a transit-oriented mixed-use development including attainable housing can proceed Increasing residential density along transit corridors both supports the use of transit and can reduce traffic volumes on those corridors This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Maui Bus Kahului Transit Center will open Nov following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the facility on Oct the County of Maui Department of Transportation announced The announcement comes more than three years after it broke ground in February 2021, and reported delays in project completion Situated near Kahului Public Library and facing Kahului Lani apartment complex on Vevau St. the facility will include open-air covered seating “We look forward to the opening of the new transit center which will provide a convenient location for bus riders,” said County Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori “We would like to express the department’s sincere gratitude to Queen Kaʻahumanu Center for its invaluable partnership over the years Their support has been instrumental in providing essential transportation services to the Maui community.” All Maui Bus services currently operating from Queen Kaʻahumanu Center will relocate to the new Kahului Transit Center on Nov More information will be available early next month For general Maui Bus information, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/bus. To contact the County of Maui Department of Transportation, call 808-270-7511 or email public.transit@mauicounty.gov The main office of Aloha Recycling was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived at its facility in Kahului on Thursday morning A fire burned down a trailer at Aloha Recycling’s main office in Kahului on Thursday the cause is under investigation and there were no injuries Aloha Recycling manager Kela Kaniaupio said the blaze destroyed scales and computers used to redeem recyclables including plastic she said the business is installing scales that were in storage and they expect to be back in business at the Kahului location in a couple of days She said customers can check by calling (808) 871-8544 Thursday about the fire at the recycling center at Amala Place a tanker and hazardous materials team were sent to the fire and found the building fully engulfed in flames Fire crews extended lines to control the fire and protect neighboring structures Aloha Recycling also has recycling facilities in Haiku The 32nd Annual He-Man Competition—a test of strength skill and precision—returns to Slim’s Power Tools in Kahului on Saturday the largest locally owned power tool distributor in the state The competition coincides with the store’s annual clearance sale Inspired by traditional lumberjack contests the competition includes a one-part challenge for individuals and a multi-step challenge for power tool vendors Participants will put their strength to the test by completing one manual event: power tool vendors will take on a fast-paced All participants will receive $20 in Powerbucks and those who complete the manual challenge earn a limited-edition He-Man competitor shirt and an additional $50 in Powerbucks speed and accuracy that make power tools essential,” said Rand Okemura “It’s inspired by traditional lumberjack contests and every year the excitement just keeps growing.” The event also features live tool demonstrations hourly doorbusters and discounted equipment contact Megan Okemura at (808) 268-9981 or megan@slimspowertools.com Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Hawaii — A new transit center for buses will open in Kahului in a month.   Maui County will transfer all bus services from the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center to the new transit center once it opens The Queen Kaʻahumanu Center will close on Nov which will provide a convenient location for bus riders,” said County Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori in a statement “We would like to express the department’s sincere gratitude to Queen Kaʻahumanu Center for its invaluable partnership over the years The opening of the Maui Bus Kahului Transit Center is possible after a certificate of occupancy was issued on Oct according to the County of Maui Department of Transportation The new transit center is near the Kahului Public Library and faces the Kahului Lani apartment complex on Vevau Street The victim has since been identified as Tory Nabu  The Maui Police Department extended condolences to Nabu’s family and friends A 28-year-old Kahului man succumbed to injuries suffered when he was struck by a car while trying to cross Kahului Beach Road on foot approximately 0.25 miles northwest of Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului Police say a preliminary investigation reveals that a gray 2017 Ford Fusion was traveling Wailuku-bound in the outer right lane of travel when it collided into a pedestrian that was crossing the roadway from the ocean towards Harbor Lights Apartments life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries and died Police say the operator of the Ford was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision and alcohol is pending as the investigation is ongoing This was Maui County’s eighth traffic fatality for 2025  compared to four at the same time last year The victim has since been identified by police as Julius Ponce  The Maui Police Department extended condolences to Ponce’s family and friends A Kahului man suffered fatal injuries in a deadly two-vehicle crash on the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Waikapū on Thursday afternoon approximately 0.4 miles north of Alohi Ui Street A preliminary police investigation reveals that a gray 2022 Ford Explorer was stopped in the Lahaina-bound lane of Honoapi’ilani Highway waiting to make a left turn into a farm road a beige 1988 Toyota pickup was traveling Lahaina-bound on Honoapi’ilani Highway; it failed to observe the stopped Ford and attempted to stop before colliding into the rear of the Ford sustained critical life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment speed and drugs is pending as the investigation is still ongoing This was Maui County’s seventh traffic fatality of 2025 compared to four at the same time last year.