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.

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.