county morgue.

WAILUKU — The County Council Policy Committee on Tuesday recommended authorizing the purchase of a site for a county morgue.

The county has already budgeted $2.9 million to buy the 8,324-square-foot, two-story Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii building on Wili Pa Loop, with additional funds available for renovations.

The county’s existing morgue is a small, cramped facility housed at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

“We outgrew it a lotta years ago,” said Maui Police Chief Thomas Phillips.

Council members rejected former Mayor Alan Arakawa’s request for $4 million for the morgue project in 2006 but approved it when Mayor Charmaine Tavares made the same proposal last year.

The item is expected to go before the full council for first reading March 7.

Maui County gets upgraded credit rating

WAILUKU – Maui County’s credit rating has been raised to AA – an upgrade that will improve the county’s ability to borrow money.

Fitch Rating and Standard & Poor’s raised the county’s credit rating from AA- to AA. Moody’s upgraded its rating of the county’s bond debt from Aa3 to Aa2.

The grades are considered by lenders in setting interest rates on county-issued bonds. Higher ratings often mean lower interest rates, reducing the cost of debt for taxpayers.

The county will be issuing around $35 million in bonds in January, to fund infrastructure projects.

County Finance Director Kalbert Young said the upgrade was “significant,” especially in light of the slowing economic climate in the state and across the country.

“It acknowledges a number of significant financial strengths of the county, some of which were the result of very proactive measures,” Young said.

In recent years, the county administration and Maui County Council have taken steps, such as establishing an emergency cash fund, and reducing the amount of money left unspent by departments from year to year, with an eye toward strengthening the county’s financial position.

“The county has overcome many challenges over the past 10 years to now be in a fiscal position of having a concrete financial base,” said Council Chairman Riki Hokama.

cancel the declaration of drought for Upcountry Maui

WAILUKU — The Maui Board of Water Supply unanimously agreed today to support and recommend that the Department of Water Supply cancel the declaration of drought for Upcountry Maui, and continue the request for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in water consumption for customers whose water is supplied by the Central Maui Water System.

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1,000-home Hawaii subdivision planned

A California partnership is moving ahead with plans to develop a nearly 1,000-home subdivision in south-central Maui despite opposition from the County Department of Planning and some nearby residents.

Ma'alaea Properties LLC recently filed a draft environmental impact statement for its estimated $400 million project called Ma'alaea Mauka proposed for 257 acres of former sugar-cane fields south of Wailuku.

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Celebrations to Honor Historic Wailuku Courthouse

WAILUKU, Maui (KHNL) - The historic Wailuku Courthouse is celebrating its 100 years of service.

The centennial celebration will begin November 14 at 4:45 p.m. at the courthouse on High Street. The event will feature a program, light refreshments and music by Kahala Greig.

On November 15 at 11 a.m., a lighthearted birthday commemoration will be held at the Kaahumanu Church across from the courthouse. The public is invited to enjoy complimentary cake and Hawaiian music.

The old Wailuku Courthouse was built in 1907.

A $1.8 million restoration and renovation project was completed in 1993, adding central air conditioning and an elevator.

Through the years, the building was occupied by a number of judges, including the Honorable George Fukuoka, Kase Higa and Arthur Ueoka.

The courthouse now houses the County's Department of Prosecuting Attorney.