Lanai Four Seasons Resort Wins Prestigious Travel Industry Triple Crown
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort received Condé Nast Traveler’s new Triple Crown award for winning all three of the publication’s major hotel recognition programs over the past 30 years. The Triple Crown recognizes hotels that have won the Hot List, Gold List, and Readers’ Choice Awards within 30 years. Sensei Lanai achieved Hot List […]
Southwest’s Maui-Kauai Route Shows Low Passenger Demand at 41.5% Capacity
Southwest Airlines’ route between Maui and Kauai ranked among the carrier’s worst-performing routes with only 41.5% of seats filled between March 2025 and February 2026. The airline’s overall Hawaii operations continue to struggle with low load factors despite serving the islands since 2019. Southwest’s Maui (OGG) to Kauai route filled only 41.5% of seats, ranking […]
South Shore Surf Reaches 14 Feet, Big Island Flooding Closes Roads
High surf advisory brings 10-14 foot waves to all Hawaiian Islands’ south shores through Thursday morning, while heavy rainfall causes flooding and road closures on Big Island. High surf advisory effective until 6 a.m. Thursday for all south-facing shores statewide with waves up to 14 feet. Long-period south-southwest swell will impact exposed southern coastlines with […]
Maui County Seeks Input on Wildfire Buyout Program Changes
Maui County is accepting public comments through July 1 on proposed changes to its disaster recovery buyout program for fire-affected properties. The updates include setting maximum assistance amounts and new prioritization criteria. Public comment period runs through July 1, 2026 for changes to the Strategic Voluntary Mitigation Buyout Program. Proposed updates include establishing maximum assistance […]
Disaster Unemployment Benefits Available for March Storm Victims Until June 15
Property owners and workers affected by March 2026 storms across Hawaiian counties can apply for disaster unemployment assistance worth $346-$868 weekly through June 15. Benefits cover those who lost work or income due to the natural disasters. Disaster Unemployment Assistance available for those affected by March 10-24, 2026 storms, floods, and landslides across Hawaiʻi, Honolulu, […]
Emergency Water Main Repair Cuts Service to Central Lahaina Area
A water main break on Wainee Street in Lahaina required emergency repairs, causing a 3-hour service outage affecting 12 residences and 30 hydrants. Water service was interrupted for approximately 3 hours starting at 10:10 am on June 2. The outage affected the Wainee Street area between Shaw Street and Lahainaluna Road. Emergency repairs addressed a […]
Habitat for Humanity Tests New Mass Timber Building System in Lahaina
A new mass timber ‘Bunkhouse’ is being built in Lahaina as a volunteer housing facility and prototype for faster, more affordable post-disaster construction. The prefabricated system is designed to speed up the rebuilding process while providing sustainable housing solutions. The Bunkhouse will house volunteers helping with Lahaina rebuilding efforts and is expected to be completed […]
Hawaii Nonprofit Sector Report Details $45.4B Economic Impact
A new report shows Hawaii’s 8,037 nonprofits generate $45.4 billion in economic output and employ more than 1 in 10 workers, while facing challenges from disasters, funding cuts, and increased community needs. Hawaii nonprofits represent a major economic force with $45.4 billion in annual economic output. The sector employs more than 10% of Hawaii’s workforce […]
Monona STR Permits Require Triple Inspections for 2026-27 Season
The City of Monona requires short-term rental operators to complete health, building, and fire inspections before submitting permit applications, with a $750 fee and June 21 deadline. All STR applications must include completed inspections from Public Health Madison/Dane County, City building department, and Monona Fire Department. Application fee is $750 with a submission deadline of […]
Submarine Tours Return to Lahaina Harbor After Three-Year Fire Closure
Atlantis Submarines Maui has resumed undersea tours from Lahaina Harbor nearly three years after the August 2023 wildfire destroyed the company’s facilities and equipment. Multiple sources report the company has restarted operations five days a week using a submarine transported from Oahu and has rehired 15 former employees. The August 2023 wildfire destroyed Atlantis’s 48-passenger […]