Verizon Grant Funds Fire-Resilient Home Rebuilds for Five Maui Families
Multiple sources have reported on the slow pace and ongoing challenges of Lahaina’s post-fire recovery, nearly three years after the 2023 wildfires. Episcopal Relief & Development has received a Verizon Community Disaster Resilience Grant through National VOAD to fund fire-resilient rebuilds, while broader coverage highlights that regulatory hurdles continue to delay reconstruction across Lahaina. Episcopal […]
Maui Ranks Top 5 in U.S. Domestic Travel Search Demand
A study analyzing Google search trends over the past 12 months ranked Maui among the top five most-searched domestic staycation destinations in the U.S. Key West led the list, followed by Yosemite, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks, and Maui. Maui placed in the top five most-searched U.S. staycation destinations based on Google search volume data […]
Kahului Beach Road Closed Between Kanaloa Ave and Lower Main St
Kahului Beach Road is temporarily closed in both directions between Kanaloa Avenue and Lower Main Street following a motor vehicle accident. Guests traveling through Kahului should expect delays and plan alternate routes. Kahului Beach Road is shut down in both directions as of July 15, 2026. The closure spans the stretch between Kanaloa Avenue and […]
Lahaina Playground Groundbreaking Set for July 30 as Part of Fire Recovery
Multiple Maui County announcements confirm a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lahaina Recreation Center Playground will be held on July 30, 2026, marking a key milestone in West Maui’s post-fire recovery. The $2.4 million project, shaped by community input over three years, will deliver a fully inclusive, heavily shaded playground expected to be completed in fall […]
Lahaina Homecoming Weekend Kicks Off July 17–19 with Free Community Events
Lahaina’s monthly Paʻūpili 3rd Saturdays community gathering returns July 18, coinciding with a broader three-day Lahaina Homecoming celebration featuring food, entertainment, and local vendors. All events are free and open to the public. Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays takes place July 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at Lahaina United Methodist Church. The event is part of the […]
Maui Transportation Planning Agency Names New Executive Director
Kasie M. Apo Takayama has been appointed executive director of the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates transportation planning and investment across the island. She brings nearly a decade of county legislative and policy experience. Apo Takayama previously served as a senior legislative analyst for the Maui County Office of Council Services for nearly ten […]
Lahaina Homecoming Event Set for July 17–19 with Career Fair and Community Programs
Multiple sources report that the inaugural Lahaina Homecoming, a three-day community celebration, is scheduled for July 17–19 at various locations in Lahaina town, nearly three years after the August 2023 wildfires. The event focuses on healing, cultural reconnection, and recovery for displaced residents, and includes a career fair organized by the Maui County Office of […]
Maui Mayor Race: Sugimura Outraises Bissen Ahead of Aug. 8 Primary
Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura holds a significant fundraising and cash-on-hand advantage over incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen with the primary election weeks away. Sugimura has drawn notable financial support from real estate and vacation rental industry interests, partly linked to her opposition to Bissen’s Bill 9 STR phase-out plan. Sugimura has raised approximately $335,000 overall […]
Front Street in Lahaina to Reopen to Traffic August 1, 2026
The County of Maui has announced that Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, 2026, following completion of post-wildfire repairs including seawall work, road paving, and streetscape improvements. The reopening covers the Pāpalaua to Shaw Street stretch, with several nearby side streets also reopening. Front Street (Pāpalaua to Shaw streets) reopens to […]
Maui Now Allows Up to Two ADUs Per Residential Lot Countywide
Effective July 8, Maui County now permits up to two accessory dwelling units on qualifying residentially zoned properties, in addition to a primary residence. The new ordinance explicitly prohibits these units from being used as vacation rentals, short-term rentals, or B&Bs. Property owners in residential and rural zones may now build up to two ʻohana […]