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Maui homeowner assistance program closes after distributing $19 million

The Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program has closed after providing more than $19 million in assistance to 500 homeowner households in Maui County, the Maui County Department of Housing announced Tuesday. The program, which launched in May 2024 and concluded Sept. 30, provided assistance with eligible mortgage payments, utility expenses and homeowners association payments for homeowners experiencing financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-time program was funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The state provided the funding to Maui County, which ...

AARP to offer free aging conference in Paia

AARP Hawaii and Kaunoa Senior Services will offer a free Successful Aging Conference from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Paia. Topics will include home improvements for healthy aging, powers of attorney and advance care directives, memory and brain health, caregiving, housing resources and technology assistance. The conference is open to all ages, and AARP membership is not required. Register at events.aarp.org/Maui10-17 or call 877-926-8300.

Residents urged to check properties for invasive ants

Maui County residents are being encouraged to collect and submit ants found on their properties this month as part of the state’s annual “Stop the Ant Month” campaign. The effort is aimed at locating and controlling invasive little fire ants and detecting other harmful species that are not yet established in Hawaii. Little fire ants are tiny orange ants measuring about 1/16 of an inch long. Their stings can cause painful, itchy welts and injure pets. Free ant collection kits and instructions are available at StopTheAnt.org. Residents also can collect samples using household ...

Maui man pleads guilty to drug dealing charges in US District Court

A 39-year-old Maui man pleaded guilty Friday to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. Isaiah Okudara is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 10 before U.S. District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park. Okudara admitted to mailing three parcels collectively containing 8.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine from San Diego to Kahului on Feb. 12, according to court records. Okudara also admitted he planned to distribute the drugs to others. Okudara faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a ...

King Kamehameha III School rebuild on Lahaina meeting agenda

Updates on efforts to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School are on the agenda for the next Lahaina Community Meeting on Oct. 7. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Other topics include upcoming work on the Lahaina Royal Complex restoration and information about the November general election, including how to update voter registration. The Maui County Office of Recovery also will provide updates on the county’s Housing Navigator Program and information shared at a recent commercial property workshop. The county also will discuss ...

Reconstruction begins on 60 homes on Front Street in Lahaina

A groundbreaking ceremony Friday marked the start of construction of Lahaina Residential on Front Street, where 60 homes destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire will be rebuilt. Construction on six two-story apartment buildings at 1034 Front St. is expected to begin Oct. 19. The homes are ...