Andy Behrle has a day-old hospital bracelet clipped around his wrist when I meet him for coffee. It’s evidence that the artist has collaborated on not just one, but two major acts of creation over the weekend. Undoubtedly still caught in the whirlwind of an eventful three days, Behrle is bright-eyed and effusive when he […]
Wailuku Parking Garage Survives Proposed Cut
The embattled Wailuku Civic Complex survived another proposed funding cut Friday, Sep. 6 as members of the Maui County Council voted down a bill to halve funding for Phase 1B of the project, the parking garage. The proposal previously passed the council’s Economic Development and Budget Committee by a vote of 6-3 on Tuesday, Aug. […]
Council Committee Votes to Settle Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility Lawsuit
After two days of high drama which drew nearly 100 testifiers and resulted in marathon meetings of Maui County Council’s Government, Ethics and Transparency Committee, councilmembers voted 5-3 (one excused) to settle a lawsuit brought against the county by Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club Maui, Surfrider Foundation, and West Maui Preservation Association. The case, which […]
County of Maui V. Hawaii Wildlife Fund: The lawsuit against Maui County being watched around the country
In 2014, residents of Anderson County, South Carolina, discovered that energy company Kinder Morgan’s underground Plantation Pipe Line had ruptured, spilling hundreds of thousands of gallons of gasoline into groundwater and soil. Much of the fuel made its way into parts of the Savannah River, but concerned citizens and environmental advocacy groups like Savannah Riverkeeper […]
Committee Votes to Reduce Funding for Wailuku Parking Garage
Funding for the long-awaited yet controversial Wailuku Civic Complex was subject to scrutiny Tuesday, as councilmembers of the Economic Development and Budget Committee debated the scope and need of Phase 1B of the project, the parking structure. Councilmembers voted 6-3 to cut the budget for the parking structure in half, allowing for a down-sizing of […]
MPD Arrests MPD Officer for Attempted Perjury
Maui Police Department officer Brandon Saffeels was arrested on charges of perjury Monday, following information obtained by the department from Hawaii News Now showing that the officer inappropriately texted and called a woman after arresting her for drunk driving. In the messages and calls, which were verified last week by MPD, Saffeels repeatedly invites the […]
CORRECTION: Honolulu Civil Beat’s ‘News and Brews’ will be held at 6pm TONIGHT
Honolulu Civil Beat’s ‘News and Brews’ will be held tonight, Friday Aug. 23, from 6-7:30pm in the Maui Brewing Co. Kihei Tasting Room. Share your community concerns and let Civil Beat staff know what you enjoy in their news coverage. Guests include Civil Beat reporters Yoohyun Jung, Brittany Lyte, Suevon Lee, and Marcel Honore, along […]
County Launches WailukuLive Website
Wailuku Town is changing, and the County of Maui has launched a new website to keep the public informed of the various construction projects slated for the town. The website, WailukuLIVE.com, also “encourages visitors to discover Wailuku’s myriad resources, including its shops, restaurants, historic landmarks, activities and events,” stated county assistant communications director Chris Sugidono. […]
Former Mayor Alan Arakawa ‘Is Asking for the Police Force Over Here to Use Violence,’ Says Kia‘i
A year after terming out as mayor and losing his bid for a seat on the County Council, former Mayor Alan Arakawa is back in the news and showing that he’s still got it (if by “it” you mean the ability to “needlessly enrage Native Hawaiians“). The former politician, known for such hits as “There’s […]
Speaking of a Tourism ‘Tipping Point,’ Community Members Urge Action
Sitting outside Council Chambers in the late afternoon, Councilmember Shane Sinenci expressed disappointment. It was a rare moment for the usually cheerful councilmember, who hours prior was hopeful of passing a resolution out of the Environmental, Agricultural, and Cultural Preservation Committee he chairs. The resolution, as currently written, would require Mayor Victorino’s administration to conduct […]
MPD Officer Under Investigation for Abuse of Power
Maui Police Department officer Brandon Saffeels is under investigation following a Hawaii News Now report that the cop abused his power. Texts and phone calls uncovered by reporter Lynn Kawano show that Saffeels contacted a woman just hours after arresting her for drunk driving. The communications, in which the officer offers to throw his testimony […]
Baldwin Beach Park Final Concept Plan Released Ahead of Thursday Open House
The County of Maui is inviting the public to view the newly released final concept for the Baldwin Beach Park Master Plan on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 4:30-7pm. Interested individuals can drop in at the Pa‘ia Community Center anytime during the event, which is the third and last open house for the project, said county […]
Thousands on Maui Join Kapu Aloha Unity March
A sea of hae Hawai‘i rose over the fields of the War Memorial ballpark Saturday as an estimated 7,000 participants gathered in support of the kia‘i, or protectors of Maunakea. “We’re here because the Mauna has called,” said Kumu Luana Kawa‘a, welcoming the crowd. “This one thing has brought us together in lokahi and we […]
UH Maui College Courses Offered for Students on Maunakea
It’s back-to-school season, and as keiki statewide brush the sand off their slippahs and head to class, college students in the University of Hawai‘i system are registering for courses and preparing for a new semester. But with the timeframe for the start of construction of the contentious Thirty Meter Telescope project extended into September of […]
‘Unacceptable and Irresponsible’: Councilmember Tamara Paltin writes to UH president David Lassner regarding TMT
More than three weeks have passed since Governor David Ige made the announcement that the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) was “set to start construction,” and yet no equipment has made the ascent up Maunakea. Instead, at Mauna Kea Access Road, kia‘i, or protectors, have set up camp. Through non-violent action and kapu aloha, bound by […]
On the Set of ‘Aloha Surf Hotel,’ the New Maui Movie
It’s a quiet and hot June morning at Kihei Charter School and although school’s out for the weekend, odd events are occurring just outside of the classroom buildings. Beloved comedian Augie T is sneaking around the parking lot, hiding behind a bush from a man in the distance. A few feet from Augie T are […]