Maui County

A Hawaii solar farm has agreed to reduce an electric company's monthly bill by $15,000 to make up for overcharged power during a battery issue.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced plans Tuesday to sue fossil fuel companies that he says are responsible for climate change-related damage to roads and other infrastructure, but there are challenges.

Kapalua Airport in Maui has reopened after a brush fire damaged power lines, forcing it to close and prompting evacuation of nearby residents Tuesday. By Wednesday afternoon, Maui officials say the fire burned less than a thousand acres, and is 70% contained.

The mayor of Maui has announced plans to defy a County Council resolution and continue to pursue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court over the use of injection wells.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency accidentally called thousands of county residents from a (999) 999-9999 number shortly before 9 a.m. today. This comes a week after the Honolulu Police Department inadvertently activated emergency sirens on Oʻahu and Maui during training.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists euthanized two pygmy killer whales Tuesday after the mammals stranded themselves on Sugar Beach in Kihei, Maui. It's near where other whales beached themselves last month.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is monitoring six pygmy killer whales lingering off Sugar Beach in Kihei, Maui, the same beach where a different group of whales stranded themselves last month.

Community meetings throughout Maui County are being held to help Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration craft its first budget that will cover fiscal year 2020-2021.

WAILUKU — A new federal report has offered additional details of a deadly helicopter crash off the coast of Hawaii.

Updated: Sept. 8, 3:10 p.m.

WAILUKU, Hawaii — Maui Mayor Michael Victorino on Sunday criticized a decision by a County Council comnittee to recommend acceptance of a settlement proposal with environmental groups that sued over the use of injection wells.

As the legal dispute between Maui County and environmental groups barrels forward to the United States Supreme Court, people weighed in Tuesday at a Maui Council committee meeting on the case.

Updated: Aug. 30, 6:59 a.m.

HONOLULU — Authorities on Thursday sedated and euthanized four small whales after 10 of the animals were stranded alive on Sugar Beach on Maui. One whale calf was also found dead about a mile north of the other melon-headed whales.

The Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation delivered two petitions to Maui County Council Chair Kelly King Wednesday, urging councilmembers to settle the county's legal case involving its Lahaina wastewater treatment facility, and withdraw its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maui County is preparing to argue in the U.S. Supreme Court that its wastewater is not harming the coastline, officials said.

WAILUKU — A solo hiker who had been reported missing while visiting Maui has been found dead, police said.

WAILUKU — A solo hiker on Maui is still missing despite an ongoing search, authorities said.

This year is already turning out to be a dangerous one for traffic on Maui.

On Sunday, two people were killed in a car crash—bringing the total number of traffic related deaths on the island this year to 14. This time last year, there were only 10 traffic related deaths in Maui county. According to officials, the county averages 18 deaths from traffic crashes each year.

WAILUKU — A county in Maui has established a free vehicle disposal program in response to car dumping, an official said.

Illegal car abandonment along highways in Maui has increased by at least three times in six years, The Maui News reported Sunday.

WAILUKU — The Maui county council is considering a resolution to settle a longstanding legal case headed for the U.S. Supreme Court over wastewater pumped into injection wells.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino unveiled his first budget proposal yesterday, listing affordable housing, infrastructure and the environment as top priorities for the county in the next fiscal year.

The chair of the Maui County Council is hoping for more collaboration between Mayor Mike Victorino's office and the council.

The state has extended an emergency proclamation to cover Maui County so that funds can be used to restore parts of Honoapiʻilani Highway affected by landslides in the recent heavy rains.

Maui County might purchase a portion of the Wailuku Water Company.

The administration of Mayor Alan Arakawa has sent a budget amendment to the County Council seeking funding approval to appraise the water company’s property and infrastructure.

If approved, it could clear the way for the county to purchase more than 8,500 acres of land in the West Maui watershed.