County bond rating best, agencies say
Three bond-rating agencies have given Maui County the highest bond ratings in the state, according to an announcement from the county.
Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings rated Maui County Aa1, AA+ and AA+, higher than any other county government, the announcement said.
It referred to a news release from Fitch Ratings that credited Maui County's "prudent fiscal management," which resulted in "strong financial performance."
The bond ratings are equivalent to an individual's credit score or rating, and the strong ratings mean county taxpayers can take advantage of lower interest rates and pay less over time, Mayor Alan Arakawa said.
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Teen critically hurt in dirt bike wreck
A 15-year-old boy was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition Saturday afternoon after he apparently got into an accident while operating a dirt bike earlier in the day, the Maui County Paramedics Association said Sunday morning.
There were no updates on the teen's condition or the incident on Sunday.
The association said paramedics responded to a residence in Paia around 12:38 p.m. Saturday where the teen was being assisted by the Paia Fire Station's engine crew.
A witness said the boy was operating a dirt bike earlier in the day and had wrecked. The boy lost consciousness at the crash site for a few seconds before regaining consciousness and then driving to the Paia residence where he was found, the association said.
Shortly after arriving at the home, the boy became unresponsive and paramedics were called, the paramedics said.
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Woman injured in motorcycle crash
A 49-year-old woman was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in serious condition Sunday afternoon after the motorcycle she was riding was rear-ended by someone on another motorcycle, according to the Maui County Paramedics Association.
Lahaina paramedics arrived at 2:51 p.m. at the crash scene on Honoapiilani Highway, south of the Olowalu General Store, the association said. They found the woman suffering from lower extremity and shoulder injuries.
She was not wearing a helmet.
The woman had been stopped in the roadway because of traffic when another motorcyclist traveling in the same lane failed to stop and hit her from behind, paramedics said. The victim was thrown forward off her bike and onto the roadway.
The woman was taken to the hospital to a waiting trauma team. She was given pre-hospital life support by paramedics who were assisted by Lahaina firefighters and police.
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Honokohau Valley fire burns half acre
Firefighters from Napili, Lahaina, Wailuku and Kahului responded Sunday afternoon to a brush fire in Honokohau Valley, a fire official said.
The Maui Fire Department's Air One helicopter also helped fight the half-acre blaze reported at 2:04 p.m., said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
Although the brush fire had been "knocked down" as of 3:42 p.m. Sunday, firefighters remained at the scene, he said, and poor access to water was hampering efforts to put out the fire.
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Fire burns outside of Kihei condo
A small fire to the outside of a Kai Makani condominium unit in Kihei early Sunday morning caused an estimated $1,000 in damage, fire officials said.
The fire's cause was ruled accidental. No injuries were reported, and no residents were displaced, officials said.
Fire crews responded to the condominium at 32 Kai Makani Loop around 12:36 a.m. Sunday to find a small fire on the exterior of a unit being doused with a water hose by police and bystanders.
Kihei firefighters were first to arrive at the scene. The Wailea fire crew along with its ladder company also responded.
