Fostering a supportive environment for the mental health of our ‘ohana and community By Shane M. Sinenci As we enter the holidays and the season of Lono, we reflect on this year’s events, as it has been a challenging year for us and the world. The August 2023 fires continue to warrant our kōkua. For […]
Meeting critical housing needs through community-led efforts By Keani Rawlins-Fernandez In every disaster, our community has shown up for one another, responding quickly to cobble together critical support systems that provide basic needs not made immediately available by the government—including water, food and medicine. Now, our residents are asking our elected officials to step up […]
Perpetuating the kānaka maoli, ʻāina and history of Maui Komohana By Tamara Paltin Throughout history, the kānaka maoli of West Maui have learned to adapt to their environment under indigenous stewardship. Their ancestors’ experiences, teachings and moʻolelo have been passed down through the generations, which has resulted in the cultivation of a give-and-take relationship with […]
Preventing disaster through community collaboration By Gabe Johnson Although so much has changed since the devastating fires of Aug. 8, the principles of good government remain the same. Local leaders must make decisions to address the concerns of residents. I heard the community loud and clear—that the county should ensure such a terrible disaster never […]
Community input critical for council’s recovery efforts By Alice L. Lee, Council Chair The council is committed to working with residents to develop a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August 2023 wildfires. We are grateful for the verbal and written testimony we’ve received so far and continue to ask for more […]
Priorities for disaster prevention By Tom Cook There was an amazing turnout at last week Wednesday’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee meeting in Lāhainā, and I was disappointed I was not able to attend this important meeting in person due to COVID-19. However, I was able to participate remotely, where I listened to residents’ […]
Maui wildfires affect us all By Tasha Kama Aug. 8, 2023, was a tragic loss of lives and homes in Lāhainā and loss of homes in Kula. We will always feel these losses as individuals, families and a community whose connection with the ‘āina runs generations deep. To us, our home is so much more […]
Moving forward with aloha By Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins It has been one month since our community suffered great loss from the traumatic Maui fires. The saying, “it takes a village,” has never been more relevant than it is today. Community members, private and public enterprises have put their differences aside to help those in need. Unfortunately, […]
Joining together to support disaster-relief efforts By Yuki Lei K. Sugimura My heart goes out to all those who have been impacted by the wildfires in Lāhainā, Upcountry and South Maui. Our community has suffered unthinkable loss, and yet, we have come together like never before. Kōkua continues to be made available for displaced residents […]
Launching the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources By Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Last year, the electorate voted to approve the Charter Commission’s proposed amendment to establish the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources by July 1, 2024, and to reaffirm the county as a bilingual government. The Maui County Charter commits the county to being “mindful of our Hawaiian history, […]
