Maui County Opens Grant Applications for Wildfire Workforce and Public Services Programs
Maui County’s Office of Recovery is launching two competitive grant programs under its Hoʻokumu Hou initiative, funded by federal CDBG-DR dollars, to support workforce development and public services for wildfire-impacted residents. Nonprofits and government agencies can apply starting August 10, 2026, with a deadline of September 24, 2026. Two new grant programs — the Ka […]
Maui County Eyes Deal to Expand Public Control of West Maui Water Systems
Maui County is negotiating a non-binding agreement with Maui Land & Pineapple to acquire key West Maui water infrastructure, which would increase public stewardship of the area’s drinking water from 45% to 93%. The County Council reviewed the memorandum of understanding but raised concerns about provisions linking the water purchase to zoning changes for housing […]
Water Restored to Honokohau Valley After Emergency Mainline Repair
Maui County restored water service to Honokohau Valley customers on July 31, 2026, following emergency repairs to a broken mainline. Residents and property owners are advised to flush their lines and storage tanks before normal use. Water service to Honokohau Valley was fully restored as of 1:25 p.m. on July 31, 2026. An emergency repair […]
Lahaina Boat Captains Who Rescued Fire Survivors Win $1.1M on NBC Game Show
Multiple Hawaii Public Radio reports cover the story of Chrissy Lovitt and Emma Nelson, a married couple and Lahaina business owners, who won $1.1 million on NBC’s game show ‘The Wall.’ The couple, owners of Maui Ocean Adventures, lost their charter boat in the 2023 Lahaina wildfires but used a smaller vessel to rescue dozens […]
Hawaiian Electric Issues Wildfire Power Shutoff Watch for Parts of Maui
Multiple news outlets reported that Hawaiian Electric has placed portions of Maui — including West Maui, Ōmaʻopio, and Pūlehu in Kahului — under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) watch due to high winds and dry conditions that could elevate wildfire risk. The utility says it may proactively cut power within 24 to 48 hours […]
Maui Visitor Arrivals Up 11.5% as Kā’anapali Hotels Top 76% Occupancy
Multiple outlets reported this week on the continued rebound of Maui tourism alongside ongoing Lahaina recovery efforts. Visitor arrivals rose 11.5% in February 2026 year-over-year, and hotel occupancy in the Lahaina-Kā’anapali-Kapalua corridor climbed above 76%, signaling strengthening demand for the West Maui market. Maui visitor arrivals increased 11.5% in February 2026 compared to the same […]
Hawaii Business Magazine Earns Top Journalism Honors for Lahaina Recovery Coverage
Hawaii Business Magazine won 23 awards at the Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists annual competition, including recognition for its reporting on Lahaina’s post-fire recovery. The wins led all media organizations in both first-place and total awards. Hawaii Business Magazine took home 23 statewide journalism awards, including nine first-place prizes, more than any other media outlet. […]
Lahaina Recreation Center Gets $2.4M Playground, Done by Fall 2027
Maui County broke ground on a $2.4 million playground at the Lahaina Recreation Center, featuring large shade structures and ADA-accessible amenities. Construction is expected to wrap up in fall 2027. The $2.4 million project will add a new playground at the Lahaina Recreation Center, with completion targeted for fall 2027. The site will feature the […]
Judge Caps Maui Fire Attorney Fees; Law Firms Appeal Ruling
A Maui judge limited attorney fees in the Lahaina wildfire settlement to 3–8%, well below the 25% allowed under Hawaii law. Several law firms are appealing, arguing the ruling violates their contracts with clients. Judge Peter Cahill capped attorney fees at 8% for pre-settlement cases and 3% for clients who joined after the settlement was […]
Maui Wildfire Rebuild Program Expands Income Eligibility, Extends Deadline to Dec. 2026
Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou rebuilding assistance programs now cover more homeowners after a federal AMI update raised the income threshold, and the application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026. An informational open house is scheduled for August 20 in Kahului. Maui County’s base Area Median Income rose from $110,000 to $121,400 in May […]