Grand Wailea Partners with Hawaii Celebrity for New Menu Item Launch
Grand Wailea resort has launched a specialty dessert in collaboration with Hawaii-born entertainer Sydney Agudong as part of its ongoing dining program refresh. The partnership reflects the resort’s strategy to attract younger guests while maintaining its luxury appeal. Grand Wailea introduced the Island Buzz Sundae featuring local flavors like macadamia, coconut, and tropical fruits. The […]
Appellate Court Confirms Higher Property Taxes for Wailea Palms Units
Hawaii’s appellate court upheld a ruling that classifies individual Wailea Palms condo units as ‘non-owner-occupied’ rather than ‘apartment’ properties, resulting in higher property tax rates for owners. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals rejected attempts to classify condo units under the lower ‘apartment’ tax rate. Individual condo units don’t qualify as ‘multi-dwelling-unit improvements’ under county […]
Marine Debris Cleanup Program Mobilizes 50-100 Volunteers Monthly on Maui
Pacific Whale Foundation leads Maui’s official marine debris response, coordinating volunteers to remove fishing nets, buoys, and plastic waste from beaches and reefs. The program tracks debris sources and locations to build data for potential policy changes. Teams remove heavy marine debris including a 2,500-pound net mass discovered at Waiehu Beach Park. Monthly volunteer efforts […]
Maui Wildfire Recovery Documentary Screens in California This Week
A documentary featuring Lahaina residents’ recovery stories will screen in Santa Barbara, highlighting ongoing challenges nearly three years after the 2023 wildfires. The film focuses on long-term rebuilding efforts and community displacement issues. Documentary ‘Lahaina: Voices of Change’ screens Friday at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theatre with panel discussion featuring Maui community leaders. Film highlights that […]
Food Bank Leader Departs After Guiding Post-Crisis Operations
Maui Food Bank CEO Lisa Paulson will step down April 15 to pursue national advocacy work. She led the organization since August 2024 during a period of 65% increased food insecurity. CEO Lisa Paulson leaves April 15 after leading the food bank since August 2024. Her tenure coincided with a 65% surge in food insecurity […]
Maui Brewing Launches New Light Lager, Partners with Hawaiian Airlines
Maui Brewing Company has released a new light lager beer and will serve it on all Hawaiian Airlines flights starting in April. The company is hosting a launch party at their Kihei taproom on April 10. Maui Brewing’s new light lager will be served on all Hawaiian Airlines flights beginning in early April. The company […]
Maui United Way Launches Emergency Fund to Address Recent Flooding Impacts
Maui United Way has activated its emergency response fund with $100,000 from Kaiser Permanente to address recent severe flooding that has compounded ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. The organization is coordinating with county agencies and community partners to provide immediate aid including meals, grants, and connectivity support across affected areas. Recent severe flooding has created additional […]
New Olowalu Fire Station Breaks Ground, Will Cut Emergency Response by 15 Min
Construction has begun on a new fire station in Olowalu that will reduce emergency response times by at least 15 minutes compared to dispatching from Lahaina. Additional funding is still needed to complete the project. The new Olowalu Fire Station will reduce emergency response times by at least 15 minutes compared to the nearest station […]
Native Hawaiian Housing Fund Relaunched After March Storm Damage
A nonprofit has reactivated its anti-displacement fund to help Native Hawaiian homeowners repair storm damage from March 2026’s kona storms. The fund aims to raise $20 million for home repairs and prevent displacement across affected Hawaiian Home Lands. Hawaii Community Lending revived the Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund with $1 million seed money, targeting $20 million in […]
February Tourism Recovery Shows Strong Growth for Maui Property Market
Multiple sources report that Maui’s tourism industry posted significant gains in February 2026, with both visitor arrivals and spending increasing substantially compared to the previous year. The recovery continues more than two years after the Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires affected the island’s tourism sector. Maui welcomed 223,227 visitors in February 2026, an 11.5% increase over […]