Three Airlines Compete for Federal Lanai Air Service Contract Starting Sept. 1
The U.S. Department of Transportation is reviewing bids from Mokulele Airlines, Pacific Air Charters, and Cape Air to provide federally subsidized essential air service to Lanai. The new contract term begins September 1, 2026. Mokulele Airlines, the current sole commercial carrier to Lanai, is defending its contract against two challengers: Hawaii-based Pacific Air Charters and […]
Alaska Airlines Adds Larger 787-9 on Seattle–Maui Route for Holiday Season
Alaska Airlines will temporarily deploy Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft on its Seattle-to-Kahului route during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year 2026–2027 to meet peak holiday demand. The upgrade increases passenger capacity and premium seating on one of Maui’s busiest mainland corridors. Alaska Airlines will use the larger Boeing 787-9 on the SEA–OGG route during two limited […]
Alaska Airlines Brings 787-9 Dreamliner to Seattle–Maui Route This Holiday Season
Alaska Airlines will deploy its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Seattle (SEA) to Kahului (OGG) route during Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year holiday windows. The widebody upgrade adds capacity and comfort on one of Maui’s busiest leisure travel corridors. The 787-9 will operate one daily SEA–OGG flight Nov 21–30 and Dec 17–Jan 4, covering peak Thanksgiving […]
Lahaina Coffee Roaster Resumes Full Production After 3-Year Fire Disruption
Maui Coffee Company has restored full roasting and packaging operations in Lahaina, relaunching its flagship 100% Maui Coffee product nearly three years after its processing facility was destroyed in the 2023 wildfires. The product is now available again to Hawaii retailers and direct-to-consumer online. Maui Coffee Company’s Lahaina processing facility was destroyed in the 2023 […]
Lahaina Homecoming Career Fair Aims to Bring Displaced Residents Back
Multiple outlets reported on a county-organized career fair held at Lahaina Cannery Mall on July 18, 2026, designed to help displaced wildfire survivors find livable-wage jobs as part of Maui’s next phase of recovery. The event marked a shift in focus from rebuilding homes to restoring Lahaina’s workforce and economy, nearly three years after the […]
Residents Petition Against Bypass Road Through Kā’anapali Cultural Sites
A community petition is urging the Hawaii Department of Transportation to reject a proposed bypass highway connector road near Wahikuli Gulch, Canoe Beach, and Ka’anapali hillside neighborhoods. Opponents want planners to choose already-paved alternative routes instead. The proposed connector road would place an on/off ramp near Hanaka’o’o Beach Park, a heavily used cultural and recreational […]
Kaanapali Dining Scene Highlighted as Hub of Maui Food Culture Recovery
A national food publication spotlights Kaanapali restaurants as cultural anchors three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires destroyed much of Front Street’s dining scene. Chefs along the Kaanapali strip are drawing visitors with Hawaiian and Pacific Rim cuisine rooted in local ingredients and tradition. Kaanapali Beach restaurants are receiving positive national media attention, which may […]
Sale Pepe Becomes First Restaurant to Reopen Inside Lahaina Burn Zone
Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina has reopened in Lahaina, becoming the first restaurant destroyed in the 2023 fire zone to fully rebuild and resume operations in Lahainatown. The 2026 reopening follows years of debris removal, permitting, and interim operations at other Maui locations. Sale Pepe is reported to be the first restaurant destroyed within the […]
Paia Water Outage on Poni Place Affects 20 Homes for ~2 Hours
Maui County is conducting emergency repairs on a mainline break on Poni Place in Paia on July 19, causing a roughly 2-hour water outage starting at 4 p.m. About 20 residences and 2 standpipes are affected. A mainline break on Poni Place in Paia triggered an emergency water shutoff on July 19 at 4 p.m. […]
Maui Surf Outlook: High Surf Advisory Possible Monday–Tuesday
South swell conditions are expected to build significantly this weekend into early next week, with potential High Surf Advisory levels Monday and Tuesday. A secondary south-southwest swell is forecast to arrive Thursday, keeping surf elevated through next weekend. A moderate south swell is forecast to build Sunday through early next week, potentially reaching High Surf […]