Sessions announces field hearing in Hawaii on federal response to Maui fires

WASHINGTON–Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) today announced a hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires” to examine the ongoing federal response to the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii that occurred in August 2023.

“The wildfires in Maui coincided with the Subcommittee’s hearing in Ft. Myers, FL, to review the federal government’s recovery efforts to Hurricane Ian. We just passed the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in Maui. This hearing provides an opportunity to determine whether lessons learned in Florida have been implemented or whether congressional action may be necessary. It is also an opportunity to review additional aspects of the recovery process that the specific circumstances and characteristics of Maui will highlight. I am holding this hearing in close conjunction with my colleagues from the Hawaiian delegation, and together we intend to ensure the people of Hawaii receive the necessary support from federal agencies,” said Subcommittee Chairman Sessions.

WHAT: Hearing titled “Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires”

DATE: Sept. 4, 2024

TIME: 10:00 a.m. HST

LOCATION: Lahaina Civic Center, Social Hall, 1840 HI-30, Lahaina, HI 96761

Water Shutdown in Kahului from August 29-30

Rojac Construction will be performing work on the County’s water system. A portion of homes and/or businesses along Ka’ahumanu Ave between Lono Ave and Wakea Ave will be shut down sometime between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. DWS customers affected by this shutdown are encouraged to store water as you feel necessary and adjust schedules as appropriate. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. For more information or questions contact Rojac Construction at (808) 986-1105. To report a water emergency 24-hours a day you can contact the DWS hotline at (808) 270-7633.

Free Ho’oponopono Level 1 Classes

Keala O Kalani is offering free Ho’oponopono Level 1a and Level 1b classes via Zoom on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students who complete the Level 1a class on Saturday may attend Sunday’s class. Ho’oponopono is a self-help process of “making right’ or correcting the problems and stresses in people’s daily lives. It is designed to bring peace, rhythm and balance to one’s life by releasing unwanted negative energies and obstacles. Updated and revised by Kahuna Lapa’au Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, this ancient Hawaiian problem-solving process has universal application and may be used effectively by anyone, anywhere and at any time – regardless of one’s ethnicity, culture or background. To register, please visit kealaokalani.com. If you have any questions, please email kealaokalanireg@gmail.com.

Baldwin High class of 1972 to celebrate 70th birthday with reunion banquet

The classmates of Baldwin High School’s Class of 1972 will be celebrating their 70th birthday with a reunion banquet at the Maui Beach Elleair Ballroom on Saturday, October 26, 2024. A golf tournament is also being planned for Friday, October 25, along with an activity for non-golfers. All classmates who have not been receiving reunion updates via email are asked to call or text Anne at (808) 870-6182 with your current contact information and with any questions you may have about the reunion.

Liquor Control front office counter to close Aug. 26 to 30 for renovations

Regular hours expected to resume Tuesday, Sept. 3

The County of Maui Department of Liquor Control’s front office counter, located at 110 Alaʻihi Street, Room 212, Kahului, will be closed for renovations from August 26 to 30, 2024.

Applicants with materials to pick up or drop off are asked to call the employee they are working with to schedule an appointment. The Licensing and Permits Division can be reached at (808) 243-7063. To reach the Enforcement Division, call (808) 243-7101.

The office is expected to resume regular hours beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Department of Liquor Control appreciates the public’s understanding. For more information, call (808) 243-7753 or email liquor@mauicounty.gov. For general information, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/667/Liquor-Control.

Keopuolani Park to close for half-day Aug. 31

Access to Keōpūolani Park facilities will be temporarily restricted to competition use Saturday morning, Aug. 31, to host a Maui Interscholastic League Cross Country event in preparation for the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association State Championship event in the fall, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced.

The park is expected to reopen for full public access at noon the same day. Efforts are being made to ensure the safety of regular park users as well as the student athletes.

The following Keōpūolani facilities will be unavailable to the public on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, from 7 a.m. to noon:

Hui Aloha Playground

Dog park

Athletic fields

Walking paths

Amphitheater

All other facilities within the park

The Department of Parks and Recreation appreciates the public’s understanding.

For more information, call the Parks Permit Office at (808) 270-7389 or email DPRPermits@mauicounty.gov. For general parks information, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/parks.

Sierra Club, Maui group to hold annual meeting Sept. 2

Sierra Club, Maui Group will be holding its annual meeting on September 2, 2024, Labor Day, from 11 am to 2 p.m. at the Heritage Hall in Paia. The topic of the meeting is Aina Resiliency with speakers giving presentations on restoration projects. The public is encouraged to attend and political candidates for the 2024 general election are invited. Lunch will be provided, but side dishes and dessert donations are welcome. For further information look to the Sierra Club, Maui Group website.

SBA relocates Maui Outreach Center to County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Office in Maui Gateway

The SBA has relocated its West Maui outreach center to the County of Maui Office of Recovery-West office in Maui Gateway from the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows.

For the convenience of disaster survivors, the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) shares space with other local and national government agencies and service providers assisting in the Lahaina recovery effort. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

County announces amended sewer service status for West Maui area

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Wastewater Reclamation Division announced that it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active for a property, in the following area:

Seven lots near Kahula Place and the southern end of Lahainaluna Road.

DEM Director Shayne Agawa first announced the updates on Wednesday, August 14, at the Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at Lahaina Civic Center.

Some wastewater infrastructure was damaged during the fires, which cut off wastewater service for many properties in fire-impacted areas. To determine if wastewater service for your home or business is impacted, visit https://www.mauirecovers.org/wastewater and type your address in the search bar on the County of Maui Sewer Service Status interactive map.

DEM anticipates continuing to amend areas in Lahaina impacted by the August 2023 wildfires in coming weeks and months. For questions regarding sewer status, call the Wastewater Reclamation Division at (808) 270-7417.

Organizations invited to apply to administer County’s Lānaʻi-Grown Food Stimulus Program

Application deadline is Sept. 16

Qualified nonprofit and for-profit organizations in Maui County are invited to apply to administer the County of Maui’s Lānaʻi-Grown Food Stimulus Program for the Fiscal Year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The awardee will be responsible for administering the $70,000 Maui County-funded program to implement food vouchers for Lānaʻi residents.

Vouchers must be issued at the County Lānaʻi Farmer’s Market and used on the date they are issued for the purchase of locally grown or sourced fresh produce and fruit, edible algae, poi, meat, fish, eggs or honey. Vouchers will be issued to Lānaʻi residents only, with preference given to kūpuna, children or members of a household with kūpuna or children between the ages of 0 and 5.

The deadline to apply to administer the program is Sept. 16, 2024.

To apply or for more information, call (808) 270-8276 or email [agriculture@mauicounty.gov]agriculture@mauicounty.gov.

Parking lot at Cove Park in Kīhei to be temporarily closed for work to address safety concerns

Park is expected to reopen August 31

The parking lot at Cove Park in Kīhei will be closed temporarily from Aug.5 to 30, 2024,for beautification efforts and addressing safety concerns. The work will include resurfacing and painting parking stalls to maintain and improve the parking area,the Department of Parks and Recreation announced.

Cove Park will remain open and there will be access to the beach and shower area.

The Department appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during this closure.

For more information, call the South District Recreation Office at (808) 891-4951.

For general County of Maui parks information, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/parks.