Fatal Koki Beach Drowning Highlights Unguarded Hana Coastline Risks
A California woman died and a Texas woman was hospitalized after both were pulled from the water at Koki Beach near Hana. The incident highlights the absence of lifeguards at popular Road to Hana beaches, including Koki, Hamoa, and Waianapanapa. A 56-year-old woman died and a 53-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after being […]
Maui Invitational Returns Nov. 23-25 with Sweepstakes Drawing Visitors
The 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational college basketball tournament is set for November 23-25 at the Lahaina Civic Center, featuring eight top programs. A fan sweepstakes running through August 13 is offering trip packages that include flights, hotel stays, and activity experiences on Maui. The tournament runs November 23-25, 2026 at the Lahaina Civic Center, bringing […]
Southwest Cuts Honolulu–Maui Flights 50%, Adds Kauai and Kona Nonstops
Southwest Airlines has updated its Hawaii schedule through April 2027, halving interisland flights between Honolulu and Maui while adding weekend nonstop service from San Diego to Kauai and Kona. The Honolulu-to-Maui reduction is the most significant change affecting Maui visitor access. Southwest is cutting Honolulu-to-Maui daily flights from 8 to 4 in each direction, reducing […]
March 2026 Floods Expose Hawaii’s Deep Infrastructure and Climate Gaps
A series of severe Kona low storms in March 2026 caused historic flooding across Hawaii, including Maui, with infrastructure repair costs exceeding $1 billion. A Columbia analysis finds the state systemically underprepared across infrastructure, insurance, and economic resilience. Maui was among the islands impacted by the March 2026 flooding, which was Hawaii’s worst since 2004. […]
Kimo’s Restaurant to Return to Front Street in Rebuilt Lahaina
Multiple sources report that T S Restaurants has signed a letter of intent to reopen Kimo’s Restaurant on a new Front Street location in Lahaina, nearly three years after the iconic eatery was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire. The restaurant, a Lahaina waterfront landmark for nearly 50 years, will be anchored in the historic […]
Makawao Water System Shows Trace Selenium — Far Below Safety Limits
Multiple outlets including Maui County, Maui Now, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and KITV reported that trace levels of selenium were detected for the first time in the Makawao water system during routine testing. Officials from the Department of Water Supply and Hawaii Department of Health confirm the levels pose no health risk and are well below federal […]
Wailea Golf Courts Family Travelers as U.S. Golf Participation Surges
Multiple outlets report on Wailea Golf’s growing appeal as a family-friendly destination, set against a backdrop of record U.S. golf participation. The National Golf Foundation notes the sport’s participant base has grown 41% over the past six years, with family play identified as a key driver of that growth. More than 48 million Americans age […]
Front Street Reopens Aug. 1 as Lahaina Homecoming Marks Recovery Milestone
Multiple sources report that Lahaina’s Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, 2026, following the completion of post-wildfire repairs and improvements announced by the Maui County Office of Recovery. The reopening coincides with the Lahaina Homecoming event, a three-day community celebration held July 17–19 that brought more than 100 displaced residents back […]
South Kihei Road Closure Hits Month Four, Businesses Report 50% Sales Drop
A sinkhole-caused closure of South Kihei Road near Kamaʻole Beach Park II has entered its fourth month, with local businesses reporting sales down 30–50% and some shutting permanently. County repairs are slightly ahead of schedule, with reopening targeted for late August. South Kihei Road has been closed since March after Kona Low storms caused a […]
Hawaii Tourism Recovery Still Ongoing as Lahaina Rebuilds and Visitor Awareness Urged
Maui and Oahu continue recovering from wildfires and floods, with 427 housing units completed in Lahaina as of January 2026 and hundreds more expected. Travelers are being encouraged to visit responsibly while respecting communities still in active recovery. Maui County reported 427 completed housing units in Lahaina by January 2026, with 600+ more affordable and […]