Maui Visitor Spending Up 26% in May, Leading All Hawaiian Islands
Maui recorded $523.2 million in visitor spending in May 2026, a 26.4% jump from a year earlier, with arrivals up 18.4% as the island continues rebounding from the 2023 wildfires. Maui outperformed every other island in the state for both spending and arrival growth. Maui welcomed 231,331 visitors in May, up 18.4% year-over-year, approaching pre-wildfire […]
East Maui Water Line Break Disrupts Koali Area Service
A water line break in the Koali area of East Maui caused a service outage affecting approximately 30 residences. Restoration was estimated for 12:30 p.m. on June 30, with a water buffalo staged nearby for potable water access. A broken water line knocked out service to about 30 residences and one standpipe in the Koali […]
Rebuilt 89-Unit Lahaina Affordable Complex Fully Occupied After Fire Destroyed It
Multiple outlets reported this week on the reopening of Kaiāulu o Kupuohi, an 89-unit affordable housing community in Lahaina that was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires and has now been fully rebuilt and occupied. The complex at 258 Kupuohi Street reopened nearly three years after the disaster, marking one of the most tangible milestones […]
Kaiser Permanente & Maui Health Announce Permanent New Lahaina Clinic
Multiple outlets reported that Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Maui Health have announced plans to open a new permanent clinic in Lahaina, nearly three years after the original facility was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires. The announcement marks a significant step in West Maui’s healthcare recovery, though no construction timeline or opening date has been […]
Maui Visitor Growth Forecast at 7.5% as Hotels Report Rising Occupancy
Multiple outlets are reporting on new economic data showing Maui’s tourism sector is gaining momentum heading into 2026. UHERO forecasts project a 7.5% growth rate in Maui’s average daily visitor count for the year, outpacing the rest of the state, while early 2026 hotel occupancy approached 70% as travel demand continues to rebound post-wildfire. UHERO […]
East Maui Ditch System’s Future Unresolved as New Land Board Chair Takes Over
A dispute over who should manage East Maui’s century-old ditch system — which supplies water to Upcountry and Central Maui — remains unresolved after more than seven months of failed negotiations between the East Maui Water Authority and farming operation Mahi Pono. A new BLNR chair took over this week, and the issue may appear […]
West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply Reopens in Lahaina After 2023 Fire
West Maui Sports & Fishing Supply has returned to Lahaina with a new flagship store at Lahaina Cannery, nearly three years after losing its original location in the August 2023 wildfire. The grand opening drew hundreds of community members and marks another milestone in Lahaina’s ongoing commercial recovery. The business reopened at Lahaina Cannery, 1191 […]
Fire-Destroyed Lahaina Affordable Housing Complex Fully Occupied After Rebuild
The 89-unit Kaiāulu o Kupuohi affordable housing community in Lahaina, destroyed in the 2023 wildfires, has been rebuilt and is fully occupied again as of late June 2026. About half of residents are returning tenants, with the other half being wildfire survivors previously in temporary housing. The 89-unit affordable housing development at 258 Kupuohi St. […]
Maui Visitor Growth Forecast at 7.5% as Hotel Occupancy Nears 70%
Multiple outlets are reporting that Maui’s tourism recovery is gaining momentum heading into 2026, with new economic data pointing to strong visitor growth outpacing the rest of the state. UHERO forecasts and county visitor projections paint an optimistic picture for the island’s hospitality sector, with resorts like the Fairmont Kea Lani investing heavily in the […]
Lahaina Bypass Northern Extension Moves Into Environmental Review Phase
The Hawaii Department of Transportation has launched preliminary environmental studies for a 4.5-mile northern extension of the Lahaina Bypass, funded in part by $100 million in federal wildfire disaster funds. Construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2028 with completion targeted for December 2030. Phase 1C will extend the Lahaina Bypass northward 4.5 miles from […]