A 34-year-old Maui man was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in federal prison for selling fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that killed a recreational drug user, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Read more
“As winds begin to decrease and relative humidity rebounds, the threat of critical fire weather has diminished,” forecasters said. Read more
A motion filed by the Maui County Clerk seeks to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the results of the Nov. 5 general election, arguing that former Maui County Council member Kelly King, who lost to incumbent Tom Cook, failed to provide evidence of any errors or wrongdoing. Read more
If the bodies remain unclaimed in a reasonable amount of time, they will be cremated, MPD said. Read more
The man, Christopher Wilson, had appealed the Hawaii Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate the charges against him after he was accused in 2017 of violating state laws restricting people from carrying firearms and ammunition outside the home without a license. Read more
John Smith was instrumental in leading infrastructure restoration efforts following the wildfires, county officials said, and will oversee the county’s recovery efforts. Read more
The agency is interested in leasing land in or near Lahaina that will remain undeveloped for the next two to three years, providing an opportunity for property owners to support recovery efforts. Read more
Maui Circuit Judge Peter Cahill dismissed the indictment without prejudice, giving prosecutors 60 days to refile the charges. Read more
Their release last month was a historic moment, according to state wildlife officials as it was the first attempt to reintroduce Hawaii’s native crow on Maui and the first release of captive-raised crows outside of Hawaii island. Read more
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
The news follows a statement by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell that Kobayashi “intentionally” missed her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport. Her family strongly disputed that statement. Read more
Lahaina Intermediate School teacher Nathan Kahaiali‘i is running his third Honolulu Marathon on Sunday. Read more
The resolution, introduced by West Maui Councilmember Tamara Paltin, passed unanimously, with one member excused. Read more
Sydni Kobayashi, the sister of Hannah Kobayashi who went missing after flying to Los Angeles Nov. 8, said she hopes people will keep posting online pleas for Hannah’s safe return and not stop looking for her. Read more
No. 5 Auburn beat Memphis, 90-76, in Wednesday’s championship game of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina. Read more
Kelly King’s legal challenge contends that a higher-than-normal percentage of sealed mail-in ballots were rejected by County Clerk Moana Lutey due to deficiencies with required voter signatures on ballot envelopes. Read more
What the family “needs most in this difficult time” is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion and prayers, the statement said. Read more
The first 24 homes in FEMA’s 167-unit temporary housing community called Kilohana were provided to fire survivors over the past weekend. Read more
Ryan Kobayashi was in Los Angeles looking for his daughter, Hannah Kobayashi, who was last seen at LAX on Nov. 8 and last contacted her family by phone Nov. 9. Read more
Maui County has tentatively secured land to enlarge the only major municipal solid waste landfill on the Valley Isle and bury debris from the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina. Read more
Maui County’s Recovery Permit Center has issued over 254 building permits, and more than 120 homes were being rebuilt in fire-affected areas in Lahaina and Kula. Read more
Hawaii Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi said one out of every three West Maui educators was displaced from housing by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire. Read more
