Front Street Reopens to Traffic August 1 in Lahaina Recovery Milestone
Maui County has announced Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, nearly three years after the 2023 wildfires destroyed the historic commercial corridor. Several businesses, including the rebuilt Kimo’s restaurant and ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, are returning as part of the ongoing recovery. Front Street reopens to vehicular traffic August 1, with […]
Four Seasons Wailea Draws Visitors Thanks to ‘White Lotus’ Tourism Buzz
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea continues to attract guests drawn by its role as the filming location for Season 1 of HBO’s ‘White Lotus.’ The show’s popularity has kept the property and surrounding Wailea area in the spotlight for travel media. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea served as the primary filming […]
Maui Council Candidate Konohia: Bill 9 ‘Rushed,’ Supports Phaseout of STRs
Randy Konohia, a candidate for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat on the Maui County Council, says Bill 9’s vacation rental phaseout had good intentions but was implemented too hastily, creating uncertainty for owners and workers. He supports prioritizing housing for local residents over short-term rental profits. Konohia acknowledges Bill 9 — which phases out vacation rentals in […]
HTA Selects Maui Groups for 2026 Sustainable Tourism Collaborative Programs
Multiple sources report that the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced the organizations chosen for its 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives on Maui. The two cohort-based programs, running July through October 2026, aim to strengthen community-led tourism through cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and authentic visitor experiences. Selected nonprofits and businesses will receive workshops, training, and business development […]
Lahaina’s Front Street to Reopen to Vehicles August 1 After Fire Repairs
Multiple outlets reported that Lahaina’s Front Street is scheduled to reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the town’s post-wildfire recovery. The Maui County Office of Recovery announced the reopening follows the completion of several improvement projects along the corridor. Mayor Richard Bissen called it ‘a pivotal step’ in […]
Maui County Seeks Public Input on Desalination Plants for South & West Maui
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is hosting two public meetings in August 2026 to gather community feedback on proposed desalination facilities being evaluated as a long-term water solution for South and West Maui. The meetings follow a 2024 feasibility study that identified potential facility sites for further review. Two public meetings are […]
Kuhinia Maui Gathering Set for Aug. 8 to Mark Three Years Since Wildfires
The County of Maui will host the annual Kuhinia Maui community gathering on August 8, 2026, at Lahaina United Methodist Church to commemorate the third anniversary of the 2023 wildfires. The free all-day event includes music, food, wellness activities, and a tribute ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The free event runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. […]
Maui County Property Tax First Installment Due August 20
Maui County’s first property tax installment for fiscal year 2026-27 is due by August 20, 2026. Owners who miss the deadline face a one-time 10% penalty plus 1% monthly interest on any unpaid balance. Tax bills have been mailed; not receiving one does not exempt owners from penalties for late payment. Late payments trigger a […]
Lahaina Homecoming Event Reunites Displaced Families on Front Street
The Lahaina Homecoming event is bringing fire-displaced residents back to Front Street this weekend, ahead of the county’s planned Aug. 1 reopening of that area to the public. Hawaiian Airlines partnered with organizers to fly 103 people from 20 families back to Maui for the community gathering. The community-led, government-supported Lahaina Homecoming event is being […]
Maui County Now Allows Up to Two ADUs Per Lot — But Not for STRs
Maui County adopted a new ordinance effective July 8 allowing up to two accessory dwelling units on qualifying residentially zoned lots countywide. The added units are explicitly prohibited from being used as vacation rentals, short-term rentals, or B&Bs. Qualifying residentially zoned properties can now have up to two accessory dwellings (ʻohana units) in addition to […]