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Maui News AlertsThis page alerts you to Maui news events and activities that will impact your vacation. This page is frequently updated to reflect the most recent news. Lahaina Street Preacher Phillip Prais Dies
If you've walked past Banyan Tree Park in the last 20 years, you probably joined the tens of thousands of visitors who briefly heard Lahaina street preacher Phillip Prais minister to vacationers from the street corner. His body was found behind Holy Innocents Episcopal Church on Front Street on June 11, 2008.
Sheraton Kaanapali Sunset Luau Reopens
May 2008 - The Sheraton Kaanapali Sunset Luau at Black Rock has started up again for the three peak summer months - June through August 2008. It had been cancelled from January through May 2008.
Bankrupt Aloha Airlines Shuts DownApril 2008 - Hawaii-based Aloha Airlines shut down its passenger operations after filing for bankruptcy protection, concluding 61 years of service. Aloha said it was unable to generate enough revenue from its inter-island passenger flights because of below-cost fares by competitors Mesa Air Group's go! airline. The company said it was forced to match the competitor's fares during an unprecedented increase in the cost of jet fuel.New Maui Luau
The Wailele Polynesian Luau, a new addition to the hotel luaus at Kaanapali, is held Thursday evenings only at the Westin Maui Resort.
This luau fits in between the large Kaanapali hotel luaus and the small Lahaina luaus in terms of food and entertainment. Hawaii Superferry Restarted
Lawmakers voted to restart the Hawaii Superferry while the state conducts an Environmental Impact Statement to assess potential harm to humpback whales and the environment.
The ferry restarted with a limited schedule. Though most Hawaii residents favor the Hawaii Superferry, there is some well organized opposition. Expect more protests. Road to Hana: Road ClosedSo for now, you cannot drive completely around the south part of Maui - you have to stop just beyond Oheo Gulch, and retrace your path back along the road to Hana. It is anticipated that the sheer rock cliffs alongside the road will be stabilized by October 2008, so you can once again drive all the way around the island when you drive the road to Hana.
Commercial Haleakala Bike Tours Suspended
March 2008 Update: Park Superintendent Marilyn Parris announced that
the moratorium of commercial downhill bicycle rides in Haleakala National Park will continue pending a full evaluation of all impacts from the activity. The Board of Review found that the in-park commercially guided downhill bicycle tours, as managed prior to October 10, 2007, posed an unacceptably high risk to park visitors.Following the death of the third cyclist in the last year to die while while riding down Crater Road on a commercial Maui bike tour at Haleakala National Park, the national park has initiated a temporary sixty day closure. The stretch of the road within jurisdiction of the national park extends from approximately 10,000 to 7,000 feet at Crater Road. Commercial tours can operate below the lower level because it is outside of the park’s jurisdiction. They are currently operating limited tours from the park by partnering with some of the bike tour companies not affected by this closure, but prices have skyrocketed and availability is limited.
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