Judge Slashes Maui Fire Attorney Fees to $222M, More Money for Victims
A Maui judge awarded lawyers $222 million instead of the $1 billion they requested from the $4.03 billion wildfire settlement, allowing fire victims to keep more of their compensation. Legal fees were cut from a requested $1 billion to $222 million from the total $4.03 billion settlement. Lawyers who joined after the settlement was reached […]
County Begins Multi-Year Zoning Code Overhaul Process This Month
Maui County is starting a multi-year rewrite of its foundational zoning laws, beginning with presentations to the County Council and planning commissions in June and July. The County Council Housing and Land Use Committee will receive the first presentation on June 17 at 9 a.m. The rewrite aims to modernize zoning laws to reflect current […]
Haleakala Could Erupt Again, Scientists Say Volcano Remains Active
Haleakala is an active volcano that last erupted 400-500 years ago and could potentially erupt again, though scientists expect any future eruption would produce slow-moving lava flows rather than explosive activity. Haleakala has erupted at least 10 times in the last 1,000 years, with the most recent eruption occurring between 1480-1600. USGS geologists classify Haleakala […]
Maui Chefs Compete at AgFest Culinary Event Featuring Local Ingredients
The Grand Taste competition at Maui AgFest featured 12 local chefs creating dishes with Maui-grown ingredients, drawing a sold-out crowd and highlighting the island’s farm-to-table dining scene. Twelve chefs from Maui restaurants competed in four categories using local ingredients as the star of their dishes. Hua Momona Farms’ Chef Zach Laidlaw won both Best Vegetarian […]
Travel Guide Highlights Eight Quiet Hawaii Towns for Summer Visitors
A travel publication recommends eight small Hawaiian towns as crowd-free summer destinations, including three Maui and Big Island locations that stay quiet despite tourist activity. Hana on Maui’s eastern tip sees day-trippers but empties out after tour groups leave in mid-afternoon. The article promotes Hana-Maui Resort as a low-profile alternative to west Maui resort areas. […]
Iconic R&B Band Earth, Wind & Fire to Perform at MACC This Month
Grammy-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire will perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on June 14. The performance coincides with the release of a new HBO documentary about the legendary group. Earth, Wind & Fire will perform at MACC on June 14 with longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson. A […]
Wildfire Health Program for Fire Survivors Suspended Due to Lost Funding
The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study that provided health screenings to over 2,500 fire survivors has halted operations after losing state funding. A $3 million state bill to continue the program failed unexpectedly during the recent legislative session. MauiWES served over 2,500 fire survivors with more than 4,000 health appointments since launching in December 2023. The […]
Submarine Tours Resume at Lahaina Harbor After Fire Closure
Atlantis Submarines has restarted undersea tours from Lahaina Harbor nearly three years after the 2023 wildfire destroyed most of its operations. Multiple sources report the company is running a limited schedule with reduced capacity as part of Lahaina’s ongoing recovery. Tours resumed June 2, 2026, operating three times daily at 9 AM, 11 AM, and […]
Hawaii National Guard Launches Wildfire Response Operation for 2026 Season
Governor Josh Green has signed an emergency proclamation authorizing Operation Hoʻopauahi, a statewide wildfire response initiative that keeps National Guard helicopters ready for immediate deployment during fire season. Multiple sources report this marks the second year of the program, which runs from June through November and aims to provide faster aerial firefighting support to county […]
Maui County Seeks Public Input on Lahaina Royal Complex Master Plan
Maui County has released an updated timeline and launched a public survey for the restoration of Lahaina’s historic Royal Complex, including the sacred sites of Mokuʻula and Mokuhinia. Multiple sources report that a final master plan is expected by spring or summer 2027, with community input being sought on this culturally significant area that includes […]