Maui property 2nd in hotels ranking
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was ranked second in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice 2013 Top 25 Hotels in the United States.
The 380-room resort in South Maui was second in the U.S. awards, behind the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island. The Big Island resort also was the Travelers' Choice top hotel in the world and the top luxury hotel in the world and in the U.S.
The Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele came in at No. 6 in the U.S. hotel awards.
This is the 11th year the awards have been presented. TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on reviews from travelers around the world.
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Past-due refuse customers notified
Final notices have been sent to approximately 4,000 Maui County residential refuse customers whose accounts are past due, the county's Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste Division announced Monday afternoon.
The due date for payments is Jan. 25. All accounts that are unpaid after the deadline will be closed. A $30 fee will be charged to reopen an account.
Payments may be made at or mailed to the Solid Waste Division, 2200 Main St., Room 200, Wailuku 96793.
For more information, call the Solid Waste Division at 270-7875.
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High-surf advisory for Maui, Molokai
A high-surf advisory remains in effect for north-facing shores of Molokai and Maui until 6 tonight, when surf is expected to reach warning levels.
The National Weather Service said a northwest swell continues to produce advisory level surf. A much larger northwest swell that will be around for a long period will build today.
High-surf warning conditions are expected to occur by tonight or early Friday, the National Weather Service said.
The surf along north-facing shores will be 10 to 15 feet.
There will be strong breaking waves and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.
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Lahaina Bypass Now has shut down
Lahaina Bypass Now has shut down and is asking those with claims against the organization to make contact.
The group stopped operating at the end of the year.
Claims must be made within 30 days of today or it will be assumed that all claims have been satisfied, the news release said.
Claims must be in writing and mailed to Lahaina Bypass Now, P.O. Box 11205, Lahaina 96761.
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County spelling bee to happen Jan. 31
The top spellers from 15 Maui County public and private schools will be competing in the Maui County Spelling Bee, beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Baldwin High School Multipurpose Room.
Twenty-nine students will be competing for the top two spots and trips to Oahu for the Hawaii State Spelling Bee on March 23.
Wendy Heyd, a resource teacher, will be the bee pronouncer.
Jody Brown, a school librarian, and Alan Isbell, an elementary school teacher, will be judges. Joan Junger, a resource teacher, is the bee coordinator and appeal's judge.
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Maui March for Life to be held Jan. 26
A Maui March for Life, a peaceful protest of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion, will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 in Kahului.
The march is being organized by the Maui Knights of Columbus Council 8578 to mark the 40-year anniversary of the ruling, made on Jan. 22, 1973.
The march will begin in the open space near the old Maui Economic Opportunity site, across Kaahumanu Avenue from the Maui Beach Hotel.
After a half-hour of sign-waving, the gathering will proceed along Kaahumanu Avenue, turn down Puunene Avenue and conclude at Christ the King Church, where a rosary will be said in front of a Memorial for the Unborn.
The national headquarters of the Knights of Columbus has provided preprinted signs, but marchers are encouraged to bring their own.
For more information, contact Norm Franco, deputy Grand Knight, at 357-6676.


