Maui County Hosts Rebuild Contractor Open House for Fire-Affected Homeowners July 15
Multiple sources report that Maui County’s Office of Recovery is hosting a public open house on July 15, 2026, connecting wildfire-displaced homeowners with the contractor selected for the Hoʻokumu Hou reconstruction program. The event is designed to help eligible homeowners understand their rebuilding options, regardless of where they are in the recovery process. The ‘Meet […]
Māliko Bay Boat Ramp Restoration Effort Launches on Maui’s North Shore
A new nonprofit, Nā Maka o Māliko, has taken on a 50-year lease to restore the deteriorated Māliko Bay boat ramp, which was further damaged by March 2026 Kona low storms. The County of Maui has issued a $15,000 cleanup grant, while the full restoration is estimated at $1 million. The Māliko Bay boat ramp, […]
Lahaina Bypass North Extension Gets $100M Funding, Construction Set for 2028
Hawaii’s Department of Transportation is moving forward with a 4.5-mile northern extension of the Lahaina Bypass from Lahaina to Kāʻanapali, funded by $100 million from Maui County’s federal disaster recovery grant. Construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2028 and be completed by December 2030. The 4.5-mile northern bypass extension will create a critical additional […]
Lahaina Homecoming Career Fair Set for July 17 at Cannery Mall
Maui County’s Office of Economic Development is hosting a free career fair on July 17 as part of the three-day Lahaina Homecoming celebration, connecting residents and returning kamaʻāina with employers across multiple industries. The event runs 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lahaina Cannery Mall. The free career fair takes place July 17 from 10:30 […]
FEMA Raises Rent for Lahaina Fire Survivors Still in Temporary Housing
Multiple reports from Mauirecovers.org detail an upcoming rent increase for wildfire survivors remaining in FEMA-provided temporary housing units. Beginning September 1, 2026, occupants will be charged 50% of the HUD Fair Market Rent for Maui County, as part of a broader effort to encourage transition to permanent housing. FEMA’s Direct Housing assistance has been extended […]
Makawao Water Outage Hits Apau Place for ~3 Hours July 9
An emergency mainline break is causing a roughly 3-hour water service outage on Apau Place in Makawao starting at 8:45 a.m. on July 9. Approximately 15 residences are affected. A mainline break triggered emergency repairs, cutting water service to Apau Place in Makawao. The outage began at 8:45 a.m. on July 9 and is expected […]
Native Plant Project Aims to Restore Eroding Baldwin Beach Dunes
A University of Hawaii Sea Grant team, backed by a $1 million+ federal grant, is using native groundcover plants to rebuild the sand dune system at Baldwin Beach Park on Maui’s North Shore. Early test plots have shown success in accumulating windblown sand. The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation awarded over $1 million to fund […]
Why Hawaii’s Long Flights Amplify Common Airline Conflicts
A pattern of airline disputes — seat complaints, downgrades, mid-flight confrontations — disproportionately escalates on Hawaii routes due to the length and remoteness of the flights. A recent federal ruling against United over misleading window-seat listings brought the issue back into focus. A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit against United Airlines over seats […]
Maui County Signs Friendship City Pact with Japanese Town That Survived 2011 Tsunami
Maui County and Higashimatsushima City, Japan, have formalized a Friendship City agreement built on shared disaster recovery experiences following the 2023 Maui wildfires. The partnership focuses on cultural exchange, youth education, and mutual support in long-term rebuilding efforts. Mayor Bissen and Higashimatsushima Mayor Atsumi signed the formal agreement at the Kalana O Maui County building […]
Maui and Lānaʻi Push State for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Protections
Maui County Council and the Lahaina Community Land Trust are urging the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt interim rules restricting the transport of plant materials that could spread coconut rhinoceros beetles to Maui and Lānaʻi. The state has not declared an emergency despite detecting a half-dozen beetles on the islands since April, […]