Maui man pleads guilty to 2025 Maui bank robbery

September 3, 2026

A 43-year-old man from Kihei is facing up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to robbing a Maui bank in August 2025. According to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson, Justin Nelson is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 18 before Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor. According to court records and previous reports, Nelson entered the First Hawaiian Bank branch on East Lipoa Street in Kihei on Aug. 27, 2025, wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a mask. He was carrying a white ABC store bag and what appeared to be a handgun but turned out to be a black airsoft pistol. Nelson ...

Kamehameha Maui girls volleyball opens season looking to build on last year’s MIL title

September 3, 2026

As the defending Maui Interscholastic League Division I girls volleyball champion, Kamehameha Maui has opened the season with victories over Lahainaluna, Maui High and Baldwin. On Aug. 25, the Warriors swept Maui High with Uilani Ahana and Pualililehua Kahaloa leading the offense with 13 ...

KSM football defeats Lahainaluna; kicker’s feat a week earlier may be MIL record

September 3, 2026

The Kamehameha Maui football team earned a 14-0 victory over Lahainaluna on Aug. 29 at Sue D. Cooley Stadium, one week after Warriors kicker Eli Kamakani Caires potentially set a Maui Interscholastic League record. The win over the Lunas was the Warriors’ second straight following their ...

Unity Bowl unites Lahainaluna, Paradise after wildfires

September 3, 2026

Lahainaluna High School will host Paradise High School of California in the “Unity Bowl,” a football game bringing together two communities recovering from devastating wildfires. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 5 at Sue D. Cooley Stadium on the Lahainaluna campus. It will be held under the theme “Two Towns, One Spirit.” Paradise was devastated by the Camp Fire in November 2018. The fire killed 85 people, destroyed much of the Northern California town and became the deadliest wildfire in state history. Nearly five years later, the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire swept through ...

Visitor industry golf tournament raises $69,176

September 3, 2026

The Maui Hotel and Lodging Association’s 29th annual Excellence in Education Golf Tournament raised $69,176 for education and workforce development programs. Thirty-six teams representing hotels and other hospitality businesses participated in the Aug. 21 tournament at Wailea Golf Club’s ...

Nominations due Sept. 18 for 2026 Mayor’s Small Business Awards

September 3, 2026

Nominations will remain open for the 2026 Mayor’s Small Business Awards through Sept. 18. Nominees and award recipients will be recognized Oct. 21 during a ceremony celebrating small businesses and individuals who contribute to the economy and community. The awards recognize Maui County businesses with 100 or fewer employees that have been in business for at least two years. Nominees are evaluated on a number of qualities, including leadership, work environment, partnerships, customer service and more. Awards will be presented to exceptional small businesses of the year with 10 ...