US Attorney’s Office and FBI crack down on aircraft laser incidents, Maui man awaits sentencing

Edwin Mendija, longtime coach and mentor of Molokaʻi Robotics, has been inducted into the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation STEM Hall of Fame as a 2026 Inspiration All-Star.

A facility improvements project at Waiʻānapanapa State Park in Hāna, Maui, will enter the construction phase on Saturday, June 6. The project includes a new comfort station adjacent to the park’s eastern parking area and resurfacing of Honokalani Road. Construction of the comfort station is expected to be completed in the fall, with road improvements scheduled for completion in early 2027.

A Maui man pleaded guilty in federal court on April 15, 2026, to being an accessory after the fact to a laser-pointer assault on a federal pilot. Jesse Kong, 30, faces up to 6 months of imprisonment for that crime, according to the US Department of Justice.

Dads can relax, kick back and enjoy a tropical escape at Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi, where guests can enjoy special events and activities on the secluded island.

Two Maui County Council members are headed back to office without a fight, along with Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto and Kahului Rep. Justin Woodson who’re also uncontested for re-election.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is now accepting applications to its 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives, a set of cohort-based programs that support small businesses and nonprofits in hosting visitors while protecting cultural and natural resources and strengthening community benefits.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali announced the appointment of Michael Piasecki as director of group sales. Bringing more than a decade of hospitality sales experience in the Hawai‘i market, Piasecki joins the resort’s leadership team at a pivotal time following the completion of the property’s comprehensive $160 million transformation.

Gov. Josh Green today issued a statement defending the state against a federal lawsuit challenging the eligibility requirements within the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

The state Department of Transportation has started preliminary environmental studies for a northern portion of the Lahaina Bypass. The proposed Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C spans approximately 3 miles from Keawe Street to Kakaʻalaneo Drive.  

Eligible individuals will receive a minimum of $346 and up to $868 for the weeks beginning March 15, 2026, through the week ending Oct. 10, 2026. The deadline to file a DUA claim is June 15, 2026, which is 60 days from the federal disaster declaration.

Sievert led a period of significant value creation at T-Mobile, with the company’s market value increasing from about $60 billion to about $260 billion during his time. Before joining T-Mobile in 2012, Sievert held leadership roles at Microsoft, AT&T, E*TRADE, IBM and Procter & Gamble.

At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the center of Tropical Storm Amanda was located about 1,475 miles WSW of the southern tip of Baja California. Amanda is moving toward the NW near 8 mph and this motion is expected to continue through Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.