Maui County Mayoral Race Polling Shows Challenger Leading Incumbent
Recent polls show Maui County Council member Sugimura leading incumbent Mayor Bissen 47% to 33% in the upcoming mayoral primary race. Voters cited housing costs, inflation, and government corruption as top concerns. Sugimura leads Bissen 47% to 33% in a May poll of 400 likely primary voters, with 20% undecided. A second poll found similar […]
MLP Names Ryan Panopio as New Chief Investment Officer
Multiple sources report that Maui Land & Pineapple Company has appointed Ryan Panopio as Chief Investment Officer, effective June 3, 2026. The newly created executive role comes as the company reports strong financial performance in Q1 2026. Ryan Panopio, 46, appointed as Chief Investment Officer with over 20 years of experience in real estate investment […]
Iao Valley’s Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens Reopens Following March Storm Damage
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens at Iao Valley has reopened after repairs from March storm damage, though two picnic pavilions remain closed. Visitors are advised to use caution due to ongoing hazards. The county park reopened Saturday after severe damage from back-to-back Kona low storms in March. Picnic Pavilions 1 and 2 remain closed as repair work […]
Music and Food Festival Returns to Support Lahaina Recovery Efforts
The Hua Momona Foundation will host its third annual music and food festival August 21-22 at Hyatt Regency Maui, raising funds for Lahaina rebuild efforts and community programs. The two-day event features headliners Taimane and Los Lobos with multiple acclaimed chefs participating. Last year’s festival raised over $200,000 for local food distribution, housing replacement, and […]
County announces meetings on comprehensive zoning code rewrite project
The County of Maui Department of Planning will present updates on the Title 19 zoning code rewrite beginning June 17, according to reports from multiple sources. The multi-year effort aims to modernize the foundational laws governing land use and development throughout Maui County. Planning Department will present to County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee […]
HMSA Delays New Doctor Payment Model, Boosts Neighbor Island Rates 15%
Hawaii’s largest health insurer extended its primary care payment transition by six months and added 15% higher fees for rural doctors including Maui. The changes aim to address concerns about healthcare access and practice stability. HMSA delayed implementation of new primary care payment model until January 2027, giving doctors six more months to transition. Neighbor […]
UH Launches Cesspool Conversion Training to Meet 2050 Elimination Goal
University of Hawaii colleges on Maui and Big Island are offering a new certificate program to train wastewater specialists for converting the state’s 83,000 cesspools by 2050. The program responds to urgent infrastructure needs highlighted by recent flooding events. Hawaii Community College and UH Maui College launched a 23-credit certificate program for onsite wastewater treatment […]
Hotels Now Training Staff to Warn Visitors About Protected Marine Animals
Hawaii launches new program training hotel staff to educate guests about monk seals and sea turtles before beach visits, following incident where visitor threw rock at endangered seal in Lahaina. Hawaii Marine Animal Response created Marine Stewards Program for hotel staff, concierges, and tour operators to educate visitors about wildlife safety. Program launched after Washington […]
West Maui Energy Future Meeting Set for June 12 to Discuss Renewable Goals
Lahaina Strong and the Hawaii State Energy Office will host a community meeting on June 12 to discuss West Maui’s energy future and Hawaii’s 100% renewable energy goal by 2045. The meeting will include educational stations, presentations, and small group discussions for community input. Meeting scheduled for June 12, 5:30-7:30 PM at Maui YMCA West […]
Grant Program Helps Hawaii Food Businesses Access Commercial Processing Tech
A $25,000 grant from Ulupono Initiative is helping a dozen Hawaii food producers access high-pressure processing technology to extend product shelf life and reach retail markets. The funding covers validation testing costs that can be barriers for small businesses. Twelve Hawaii food businesses receive grant funding to use new high-pressure processing technology at Leeward Community […]