Lt. Jerry Barrera began leading the Maui Police Department’s Lānaʻi Patrol District on Jan. 16 after more than 15 years with MPD. New to Lānaʻi, Barrera said his first focus has been listening and building relationships across the community. Read more about his background and goals for the district.

Lānaʻi City avoided storm damage through strategic geography and engineered hillside swales that redirect heavy runoff. These grass-lined channels intercepted high-velocity rainwater to protect homes while other islands faced severe flooding. This infrastructure proved essential in keeping the community safe during record-breaking rainfall.

A basketball tournament created by LHES junior Graziella Reese returned for its third year at the Pedro de la Cruz Gym, continuing as a student-run event outside MIL competition. What began as a freshman idea now brings together students across grade levels and experience, drawing ongoing participation and interest on campus.

Lānaʻi’s girls flag football team played its first home game in program history, defeating Hana 45–0 in rainy conditions. The game came after weeks of delays from travel issues and Kona storms that pushed back the start of the season.

Three students from Lānaʻi High and Elementary School represented the island at the DOE State Education Day, the only school from Maui County in attendance. Their projects ranged from plantation history and student life to emergency response training. The trip, planned as a single day, turned into several days off island after Kona storm delays stranded the group.

Vehicles have been getting stuck at Hulopoʻe Beach Park, with at least four needing assistance so far. Rangers have marked muddy areas with cones and are asking drivers to use caution and give crews space as cleanup continues.

Footage from March 13 and 14 shows flooding, fallen trees, and storm damage across Lānaʻi, including a downed power line and debris near the mauka softball field. Hulopoʻe Beach Park’s parking lot flooded as runoff moved toward the coast. The rainfall created temporary runoff across the island, including in Cavendish where keiki bodyboarded in Iwiole Gulch.

Lānaʻi High & Elementary School marked Homecoming 2025–2026 with a musical genres theme, as each class took on a distinct sound for the week.

Missed it? Watch video of every class routine and parade float, and read the full write up with results and Homecoming Court recognition.

The Pine Lasses secured a fourth straight MIL championship and advanced to the Division II state semifinals. Lānaʻi finished fourth overall, marking the deepest state tournament run in program history.

A blessing was held February 18 at the bottom of Fifth Street to mark the start of Kaiāulu o Lānaʻi, a 72-unit affordable housing project. “We've been fighting for affordable housing for Lānaʻi for over 30 years,” Councilmember Gabe Johnson said. Phase 1 includes single-family homes and kūpuna units under a rent-to-own model.

After months of training on Maui, Lānaʻi resident Casey Dombrigues has returned home to begin his career with the Maui County Fire Department.

Natalie Ropa officially assumed the role of satellite manager at the UH Maui College Lānaʻi Education Center on Jan. 1, continuing work she has long been part of.

Seven seniors from Lānaʻi High and Elementary School’s Class of 2026 have already earned their Associate in Arts degrees through the dual credit partnership with University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, based at the Lānaʻi Education Center. Each completed more than 60 college credits before graduating high school.

The Lānaʻi Cancer Fund’s 2nd Charity Golf Tourney at Mānele brought in about 25% more than its target, supported by donors and volunteers who carried the event from start to finish.

Four Lānaʻi High School students in the Lānaʻi Military Prep program represented the island at the Army Ten-Miler in Washington, D.C. The race drew more than 27,000 runners from around the world. Their months of early-morning training led to a proud finish on a national stage.