Factory-Built Housing Gets Green Light for Lahaina Burn Zone Rebuilds
Maui County has approved new procedures allowing factory-built housing as permanent dwellings in the Lahaina Burn Zone. The policy aims to reduce construction costs and speed up the rebuilding process for fire survivors. Factory-built or prefabricated housing is now permitted as permanent housing in the Lahaina Burn Zone under new county regulations. The policy is […]
Hyatt Regency Maui Welcomes First Penguin Chick in Nearly 17 Years
An African penguin chick hatched at Hyatt Regency Maui on April 24, marking the first birth at the resort in nearly 17 years. The chick will make its public debut on June 8 during World Ocean Day celebrations. The penguin chick hatched on April 24 and is healthy and thriving according to resort wildlife staff. […]
Federal Agency Blocks Closure of Kahului and Hilo Power Plants
The EPA rejected Hawaii’s plan to shut down fuel oil-fired power units at generating stations in Kahului and Hilo, citing concerns about grid reliability and legal issues with forced closures. EPA partially disapproved Hawaii’s regional haze plan that would have closed power units at Kahului and Kanoelehua-Hill generating stations. The federal agency cited concerns about […]
Ethics Questions Raised Over Official’s Private Jet Trip to Packers Game
A Maui mayor’s office director allegedly traveled by private jet to a Packers game in Sentry Insurance’s luxury box, raising ethics concerns about gifts from companies receiving county funding. The county later allocated $100,000 to the Sentry PGA tournament in its budget. Social media video allegedly shows Maui Mayor’s communications director at Packers game in […]
EPA Blocks Closure of Major Power Plants in Kahului and Hilo
The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a proposal to shut down power generation facilities in Kahului and Hilo. This decision maintains existing electrical infrastructure serving central Maui and the Big Island. EPA declined to approve the closure of power plants located in Kahului and Hilo. The decision preserves current electricity generation capacity for both islands. […]
Greenville Officials Seek Solutions for Short-Term Rental Neighborhood Issues
Greenville City Council is exploring ways to address resident complaints about short-term rental disruptions like parties and noise, but faces significant limitations from state laws and court rulings that restrict local regulation. City staff identified approximately 252 short-term rentals within city limits, mostly listed on Airbnb. Residents are complaining about parties, noise, and parking problems […]
County Seeks Public Input on Planned Lahaina Community Center and Field House
Maui County’s Parks and Recreation Department launched a website to collect community feedback on a new Lahaina community center and field house through June 14. The facilities will be located near the existing Lahaina Recreation Center complex. Public can submit feedback through June 14 on facility layout, community center uses, and field house activities via […]
Local Foundation Awards $30K in Scholarships to Eight Maui Students
The Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem Foundation awarded $3,750 scholarships to eight Maui high school student athletes for college expenses. The foundation has now distributed $178,750 in scholarships since 2018. Eight student athletes from local high schools received $3,750 scholarships each for college expenses. Recipients attend schools including UH Mānoa, San Diego State, and Tufts University […]
Journalism Awards Recognize Investigation of Maui Fire System Failures
A Washington Post investigation examining institutional failures after the Maui fires won recognition from environmental journalism awards. The reporting focused on utility system breakdowns and recovery challenges facing affected communities. Washington Post reporters won journalism awards for investigating systemic failures in Maui fire response and recovery. The investigation examined both human impacts and institutional accountability […]
Maui County Signs Deal to Acquire West Maui Water Infrastructure
Multiple sources report that Maui County has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire key West Maui water systems. The agreement comes after a year of negotiations and represents the first phase of a broader effort to transition water resources from private to public ownership. The MOU would increase […]