South Kihei Road Near Kamaole II Reopens Ahead of Schedule
Maui County reopened a storm-damaged 150-foot stretch of South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park on August 11, 2026, completing repairs earlier than the original fall timeline. The project addressed extensive underground infrastructure damage caused by a March Kona low storm. South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park reopened to traffic on August […]
Maui County Expands Free Bus Access to Students, Seniors, and Higher-Income Residents
The Maui County Council passed Bill 95, broadening eligibility for the fare-free bus program to include students of all ages, residents 55 and older, and households earning up to 300% of the poverty threshold. The bill also allows fare suspensions during special events or emergencies for up to 14 days per fiscal year. Bill 95 […]
Puunene Brush Fire Extinguished Within 30 Minutes on August 11
Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency issued two alerts covering a brush fire that broke out and was quickly contained in Central Maui on August 11, 2026. Both alerts confirm the fire started and was extinguished within roughly half an hour, with no reported evacuations. A brush fire was reported at 10:03 AM on August 11, […]
Maui Designer Launches Affordable Rebuild Guidance for Lahaina Homeowners
Multiple outlets reported that Lahaina-based Melissa Dyckman Interiors has launched a new one-on-one advisory service called Lahaina Rebuild Design Guidance to help fire survivors navigate key design and construction decisions. The service is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to full interior design, aimed at reducing costly mistakes during the rebuilding process. Coverage noted the service […]
UHERO: Maui Fire Survivors Gain Housing Ground But Jobs and Income Still Lag
Multiple news outlets covered the release of a new University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) report marking three years since the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The report, based on the ongoing Maui Recovery Survey, finds meaningful progress in housing stability but persistent gaps in employment, household income, and financial assistance for fire-affected residents. About […]
State Deploys Free Mental Health Counselors Across Maui After June Floods
Hawaii’s Department of Health launched Project Ho’oulu, a free outreach-based crisis counseling program for flood survivors across Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Oahu. Thirteen counselors are currently serving Maui County communities, including Central, South, and West Maui. Project Ho’oulu has been active since June 12, 2026, sending crisis counselors directly into flood-affected neighborhoods, shelters, schools, and […]
Maui County Eyes $6M Takeover of West Maui Private Water Systems
The Maui County Council has given preliminary approval to purchase private water infrastructure in West Maui from West Maui Land for $6 million. Supporters say public ownership will improve reliability, while some council members warn of potential long-term costs. Maui County Council granted preliminary approval to acquire West Maui Land’s water systems, which serve roughly […]
South Maui Water System Near Capacity; County Eyes $53M Desalination Plant
Maui’s Central-South Maui water system is operating nearly at full capacity during dry months, prompting the county to explore a $53 million desalination plant in Kīhei. The project is in early planning stages and received a cautious reception from community members who want conservation measures prioritized first. The Central-South Maui water system delivers 26.79 billion […]
Animated Film Series Preserving Lāhainā Stories to Debut August 27
Maui Public Art Corps will unveil ‘Perfect Days,’ a collection of four animated short films drawn from Lāhainā community memories, on August 27 at the Lāhainā Think Space in Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The project stems from a wildfire-recovery storytelling initiative focused on mental health and cultural preservation. The free public exhibition opens August 27 and […]
Maui County Installs Solar Arrays on Water Reservoir Rooftops
Maui County’s water utility mounted solar panels on circular concrete reservoir rooftops at multiple sites to offset electricity costs, which account for a large share of water system operating expenses. The project required specialized engineering to avoid roof penetrations, manage ballast weight, and maintain inspection access. The County of Maui water utility installed 105–141 kW-DC […]