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Sen. Schatz to host statewide telephone town hall

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will host a statewide telephone town hall at noon June 11 to provide an update on his work in Washington and answer questions from Hawaii residents. According to Schatz's office, the discussion will allow constituents from across the state to ask questions and share concerns directly with the senator. Residents who wish to participate can register at schatz.senate.gov/townhall. Registered participants will receive a phone call when the event begins, allowing them to join the discussion.

Kula man dies after crash on Honda Ruckus

A 55-year-old Kula man died Saturday from injuries he sustained in a June 1 motorcycle crash in Kahului, according to the Maui Police Department. Police said Bryan Rhoades was driving a 2006 Honda Ruckus north on Pulehu Road, about 300 feet north of Omaopio Road, at approximately 12:24 a.m. when the vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree. Rhoades was ejected from the vehicle, and he was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment. According to police, Rhoades was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Investigators also believe alcohol was a factor in the ...

Honolulu man sentenced for fraudulent FEMA wildfire claims

A Honolulu man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for submitting fraudulent FEMA disaster assistance claims tied to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire and the Pacific Palisades wildfire in California. U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson announced Monday that Daylyn Harris, 35, was sentenced on Friday to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Harris also was ordered to pay $60,458 in restitution to FEMA. According to federal prosecutors, Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Court records show Harris and a ...

County offices to close for King Kamehameha I Day

Maui County offices, facilities and services will be closed or operate on modified schedules June 11 in observance of King Kamehameha I Day. Closed facilities will include all county offices, county swimming pools, the Lahaina Resource Center at Lahaina Gateway, the Recovery Permit Center at the County Service Center in Kahului, and the Hana, Molokai and Lanai landfills. The Central Maui Landfill and Maui EKO Compost will operate on a condensed schedule from 6 a.m. to noon. The Olowalu Recycling and Refuse Convenience Center will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. On Molokai, residential ...

Maui County Council approves $1.6B budget for fiscal year 2027

The Maui County Council has approved a $1.6 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year that includes funding for affordable housing, social services and disaster recovery efforts. The County Council unanimously passed the budget on second reading Friday. According to Council Chair Alice Lee, the spending plan includes approximately $1.2 billion for county operations and $351 million for capital improvement projects after council members reduced the proposed budget by about $8.4 million during the review process. "I would like to thank all those who contributed to the finalization of ...