Top story: “Contract for Hapuna waterline being finalized.”
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).
Contract for Hapuna Beach waterline being finalized
A temporary solution finally is in the works to restore water service to the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.
Lahaina residents worry a rebuilt Maui town could slip into the hands of affluent outsiders
LAHAINA, Maui — Richy Palalay so closely identifies with his Maui hometown that he had a tattoo artist permanently ink “Lahaina Grown” on his forearms when he was 16.
Hawaii churches offer prayers for the dead and the missing after devastating Maui wildfires
LAHAINA, Maui — Parishioners mourned the dead and prayed for the missing Sunday in Hawaii churches as communities began looking ahead to a long recovery from last week’s wildfire that demolished a historic Maui town and killed more than 90 people.
North Kohala community pool now open
North Kohala residents can finally take a cool dip in their community pool after being closed nearly two years for repairs.
Waimea man challenges county’s liability waiver in firearm-carry application
A Waimea man is suing Hawaii County in federal court, saying its requirement he sign a waiver of liability for a background check as part of the concealed-carry firearms permit application violates his constitutional right to privacy.
Governor’s housing working group meets for first time
After Gov. Josh Green issued a proclamation last month declaring a housing emergency in Hawaii, a group of county and state officials met Friday for the first time to begin to address it.
In deadly Maui wildfires, communication failed. Chaos overtook Lahaina along with the flames
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — In the hours before a wildfire engulfed the town of Lahaina, Maui County officials failed to activate sirens that would have warned the entire population of the approaching flames and instead relied on a series of sometimes confusing social media posts that reached a much smaller audience.
Survivors of the deadly Maui wildfires start returning to ruins. The death toll is likely to rise
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Federal emergency workers with axes and cadaver dogs picked through the aftermath of a deadly wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui Saturday, marking the ruins of homes with a bright orange X for an initial search and HR when they found human remains.
Survivors of Maui’s wildfires return home to blackened ruins as death toll rises to 67
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Blackened hulks of burned-out cars, the pavement streaked with melted and then rehardened chrome. Block after block of flattened homes and businesses. Incinerated telephone poles, and elevator shafts rising from ashy lots where apartment buildings once stood. A truck bed full of glass bottles, warped into surreal shapes by the furious heat.
Hamakua-Kohala health center, housing approved
The Leeward Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously gave a favorable recommendation for Hamakua-Kohala Health’s application for a Special Permit to establish a transitional clinic and workforce housing, including accessory structures and uses on 4.321 acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District.
Investigators say miscommunication between pilots caused United plane to drop near ocean’s surface
Federal investigators said Thursday that miscommunication between pilots led to a United Airlines jet diving within 748 feet (228 meters) of the ocean’s surface shortly after takeoff from Hawaii in December.
Hawaii County, others offer help to Maui
A task force set up by Mayor Mitch Roth to kokua Maui in its recovery from the destructive fires that swept through Lahaina and other areas of Valley Isle held its inaugural meeting Thursday afternoon.
Two Maunakea telescopes to begin dismantling process
The decommissioning of a pair of Maunakea observatories is imminent.
Ring by ring, majestic banyan tree in heart of fire-scorched Lahaina chronicles 150 years of history
For generations, the banyan tree along Lahaina town’s historic Front Street served as a gathering place, its leafy branches unfurling majestically to give shade from the Hawaiian sun. By most accounts, the sprawling tree was the heart of the oceanside community — towering more than 60 feet (18 meters) and anchored by multiple trunks that span nearly an acre.
53 people have died from the Maui wildfires, governor says, and historic Lahaina has burned down
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — A search of the wildfire devastation on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of obliterated neighborhoods and landmarks charred beyond recognition, as the death toll rose to at least 53 and survivors told harrowing tales of narrow escapes with only the clothes on their backs.
How to help our Maui ohana
When disaster hits the islands, residents of the state come together to offer assistance to their collective ohana impacted.
UPDATE: Governor says Maui death toll will rise ‘significantly’
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m.
Attorney De Lima’s estate sued by former client accused of murder
A murder defendant is suing the estate of Brian De Lima, claiming the late Hilo attorney used his position to steal money from the defendant’s bank account and from a trust set up for him.
Ransomware hackers paid in HCC case
The decision by the University of Hawaii to pay the hackers responsible for a ransomware attack on Hawaii Community College was the first such payment in state history, according to the governor’s office.
Wildfire on Maui kills at least 6, damages over 270 structures as it sweeps through historic town
KAHULUI — A wildfire tore through the heart of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died, dozens were wounded and 271 structures were damaged or destroyed.