Maui

Maui is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. But it’s not only the streets or the beaches that are getting crowded, it’s also the jail.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Overcrowding continues to plague Maui's only jail.  The warden of Maui Community Correctional Center gave media a tour of the facility last week. He said that the Kahului center is more than 150 inmates over capacity.  What's worse, there's no space to expand, and efforts to build another jail on Maui appear to have stalled.

A proposal for a 15-hundred home development on Maui has come to a screeching halt—at least for now.  The plan was for Olowalu town---and it faced opposition from many environmentalists on the island. Eileen Chao has more from the Maui News.

The intentions might have been good, but the plan is incomplete. That's what the state Land Use Commission told Maui developers Bill Frampton and David Ward last week.

Eight years ago, the Maui County Council was concerned about the impact of new construction on water supplies. The result was the “Show Me the Water” ordinance—a provision ensuring new subdivisions would have access to water. But now the council is considering repealing the law. From the Maui News, Eileen Chao explains why.

  Maui's Island Plan, adopted in 2012, makes it a priority to preserve the unique character of Maui's small towns.  The idea is to be able to drive through largely agricultural or undeveloped areas between these distinctive centers.  

As Maui's population continues to grow, so does the need for housing.  A proposed development in West Maui could go a long way in meeting some of the island's housing needs, but some say the tradeoffs aren't worth it.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

The project has been in the works for nearly a decade, but now opposition has grown.

Sugar cane was once Hawaii’s most important crop - but today only one sugar plantation remains in the state.  That’s Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar on Maui, but they are now considering changing their crop.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News. 

“Eating local” is a popular concept across Hawai‘i… as it is in a growing number of communities. But farming in Hawai‘i can be a tough business—and one of the biggest challenges is access to land.  Now in upcountry Maui, farmers may be getting a little help with that.  Eileen Chao has more from the Maui News.  

Governor David Ige’s emergency proclamation to deal with the homeless could sweep camps in Honolulu as early as next week.  1.3-million dollars was issued under the emergency proclamation – with a little less than half of that going to help the homeless situation on neighbor islands.

The natural beauty of Hawai‘i has led to its use in many Hollywood films and television productions.  And while O‘ahu has been the setting for current or recent projects from Hawai‘i Five-O to Jurassic World, another island will soon be getting in on the action.  Eileen Chao has more from the Maui News. 

Halloween night is less than a week away—it’s this coming Saturday.  On Maui, that means the annual event on Front Street in Lahaina.  And while it’s a family friendly event, as the night wears on it can get a bit rowdy.  So police will be on hand---and this year some will be wearing cameras. Eileen Chao has more from the Maui News.

Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu introduced the idea of police body cameras earlier this year. He says the technology can help protect both officers and civilians by holding them accountable for their actions.

As Hawai‘i continues to wrestle with the highest rate of homelessness in the nation, one Maui group has come up with a creative solution to alleviate the problem. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

All this week, HPR News is taking another look at stories large and small that we’ve covered over the past year or so, in a series we’re calling “Following Up.”

Coqui frogs are small in size - but the impact of their presence is huge. That's been understood for quite some time on the Big Island of Hawai'i…but it's a growing and unpleasant discovery for some residents in upcountry Maui.  Eileen Chao has more from the Maui News. 

A coqui frog is usually about the size of a coin - but its loud chirps can be heard from nearly a mile away.  Multiply that by thousands and the volume can be brutal.  Homeowners who live in the Upcountry towns of Haliimaile and Haiku report that the coqui infestation along Maliko Gulch is getting out of control.

According to figures from the U.S. Census bureau, Hawai‘i’s population is growing slightly faster than that of the United States.  But not every island is growing at the same pace. We get some details from Eileen Chao of the Maui News.

Maui’s population is growing faster than any other county in the state.

When it comes to overall population, the Valley Isle comes in third—behind Honolulu and Hawaii counties.  The U.S. Census Bureau estimates more than 163,000 are living in Maui County.  That's 5.3% more than the population in 2010.

It's been a rainy summer for Maui.  Nine tropical storm systems have approached the islands so far this season, often bringing heavy downpours.  The rain has helped ease some of the drought conditions in southeast Maui, but for ranchers, it also brings a new set of problems.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

The Molokai Ferry has adopted a new sailing schedule. The owner says this month’s changes will help stop the financial “hemorrhaging” the ferry has seen in the last two years.  But not everyone is happy about the new plan.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News. 

Maui has a lot of hiking trails and a lot of beaches…but when it comes to open park space, that’s another story.  Sports teams often have to double up for practice on soccer and baseball fields.  A proposal to build a new 17-acre park in Kula could make the situation a bit easier, at least for upcountry residents. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

The road to Hana is one of Hawaii's most famous scenic drives.  Thousands of visitors make the three-hour drive to East Maui every year, and now many of the historic bridges along the way are falling apart.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Maui Community Correctional Center has gotten so crowded that some inmates are now sleeping on the floor. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Public safety officials say Maui's only jail is built to hold 301 inmates. But nearly 500 inmates are currently housed at the facility, which was constructed in 1978.

A Maui nonprofit wants to build a state-of-the-art campground facility that can be used by both recreational and homeless campers, but neighbors think it's a bad idea.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News. 

The Ho'omoana Foundation wants to build the facility on two acres of private land in West Maui. Initially, the camp would have eight pods--sites with space for a tent and picnic table.  If the project is successful, it could be expanded to accommodate a total of 26 pods, or 80 campers.

It's been six years since the state established the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area in West Maui.  Marine experts say it’s a program that’s working, and some fish species are on the rebound. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Herbivores like parrotfish, rudderfish, surgeonfish and urchin are critical for the health of coral reefs, as they keep algae levels in check.  Without them, algal blooms, especially in the summertime, can suffocate entire colonies of coral reef.

Seed companies on Maui are conducting business as usual this week. Last week, a federal judge struck down a voter-approved initiative that would have stopped the growing or testing of any genetically engineered crops. But protestors are not giving up. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

It’s been two weeks since three men were killed while riding in the back of a pickup truck on Maui. That tragic accident has increased attention on the question of whether new safety laws are needed across the state. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Howard Pruse, Eric Oguma and Tyree Kamaunu were riding in the back of a pickup truck that was turning left into the Maui Raceway Park when an oncoming vehicle sideswiped the truck. All three men were immediately ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

Governor David Ige was on Maui last week to sign a historic bill about local health care. The measure will allow Maui's three public hospitals to partner with a private healthcare provider. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

South Maui is home to some of the island’s nicest beaches and resorts, but it may also become a busy downtown hub.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Sea Link of Hawaii, which runs the ferry between Maui and Molokai, has been struggling to stay on top of its finances. With increasing airline competition, hopes to sustain boat operations is rapidly sinking. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

  For nearly three decades, the Molokai Princess has ferried residents and visitors between the islands of Molokai and Maui. But financial challenges have put the ferry in troubled waters. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

The owner of the Maui Tropical Plantation hopes to bring business back to the small town of Waikapu by building a new community. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

We continue our series this week “Trashing Paradise”, taking a closer look at ‘ōpala across the islands. Today we focus on Maui, where a little more than a year ago, Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an agreement to build a waste-to-energy plant on the island. The deal would allow California-based Anaergia Services to build the Maui Resource Recovery Facility at the Central Maui Landfill.  Not everyone thinks the project is the best solution for the island’s trash.  Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

 In the 20 years since Kahoolawe was transferred back to the state of Hawaii, no commercial activity on or around the island has ever been permitted. But a bill currently making its way through the Legislature proposes to change that. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.