News

World Ocean Day celebration planned for June 8 at Maui Ocean Center

Local News June 4, 2026

Maui Ocean Center will celebrate World Ocean Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8 at the aquarium in Maalaea. The event will feature educational and cultural activities, live music, marine naturalist presentations and conservation exhibits. Activities include coral feeding demonstrations, a shark tooth dig and a diver presentation at 11 a.m. in the Open Ocean exhibit. The aquarium also will showcase its new Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project display, an interactive exhibit focused on ocean conservation. Discounted kamaaina admission with a valid Hawaii ID is $15 for adults and $10 ...

Maui County Ag Department offers help preparing for grant applications

Local News June 4, 2026

The Maui County Department of Agriculture is offering free workshops to help nonprofits and businesses prepare for the 2027 fiscal year grant application period. The period to submit grant applications will be from June 22 to 4:30 p.m. July 22. Grant funding will focus on agricultural infrastructure, operations, education, recovery, livestock, non-food agriculture and feral animal control. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting operations on Molokai and Lanai. The upcoming workshops will cover eligibility, grant requirements and the application process. In-person and online ...

Lawsuit challenges Hawaii homestead leases limited to those with 50% Hawaiian blood

Local News June 4, 2026

HONOLULU — A lawsuit filed this week in U.S. court in Honolulu challenges a century-old system that provides one of the most valuable benefits for Native Hawaiians: land at almost no cost. The lawsuit says the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which sets aside land for those who have at least ...

Maui Pops Chamber Players to present ‘Four Masters-One Afternoon’

Entertainment June 4, 2026

Under the direction of Jim Durham, the Maui Pops Chamber Players will present a “Four Masters-One Afternoon” concert featuring works by Mozart, Bach, Shostakovich and Barber on Sunday at Saint Anthony Church. A total of 23 musicians from the Maui Pops will perform in smaller groups. ...

‘The Conversion of Ka‘ahumanu’ brings a defining moment in Hawaii’s history to life

Entertainment June 4, 2026

Opening Friday at the ProArts Playhouse, Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl’s play “The Conversion of Ka‘ahumanu” brings to life a defining moment in Hawaii’s history when Hāna-born Queen Ka‘ahumanu faced decisions that shaped the future of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The play is directed by ...

Focused on environmental conservation, three Maui students receive scholarships

Local News June 4, 2026

Three Maui students have been awarded ecology and conservation scholarships from the Friends of Haleakala National Park. Dominick Guiwa of Maui High School, Christian Pelletier of Seabury Hall and Serene Gunnison of UH Maui College each received $2,000 through the 2026-27 Don Reeser, Mary Evanson and Dr. Fern Duvall Memorial Scholarship. The three are pursuing studies and careers related to ecology or conservation of ecosystems such as Haleakala National Park and Hawaii’s natural environment. Guiwa is interested in the intersection of environmental chemistry, ecology and ...