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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 ...

Maui Food Bank names Maui native as chief operating officer

Maui Food Bank has named Maui native Kaleena Wakamatsu Fryer its chief operating officer. Fryer brings more than 16 years of retail and operations leadership experience to the nonprofit. In her new role, she will oversee food strategy across sourcing, operations, programs and agency ...

Hawaiian Council offers aid to households hosting storm victims

Hawaiian Council has launched a statewide program providing financial assistance to Hawaii households temporarily hosting residents displaced by recent storms, including Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. Eligible hosts can receive $500 per displaced person per month, up to $2,000 per household, as funding allows. Applicants do not need to be of Native Hawaiian descent. Hosts must be Hawaii residents providing housing to people whose primary residence was destroyed or significantly damaged in a confirmed disaster-impacted area. Other eligibility and documentation requirements apply. For ...