Legal Challenges May Delay Lahaina Fire Settlement Payments to Survivors
Maui wildfire survivors may face further delays in receiving settlement money from the $4 billion fund as some attorneys are expected to challenge a recent court ruling that reduced legal fees. The first payments were scheduled to begin this week but could be postponed if legal appeals are filed. Judge Peter Cahill reduced attorneys’ fees […]
Ohio Tourism Industry Expects Strong Summer Season with $909B in Travel Spending
Ohio tourism businesses are preparing for a busy summer as national travel demand remains strong, with Americans expected to spend $909 billion on domestic leisure travel this year. U.S. Travel Association predicts $909 billion in domestic leisure travel spending nationwide this year. Ohio’s tourism industry generates nearly $60 billion annually and produced $4.7 billion in […]
Retired Couple Chooses Cruise Ship Living Over Traditional Housing
A retired couple from Washington has been living full-time on cruise ships since 2021, spending about $100 per night as an alternative to traditional housing costs. The couple spends approximately $36,500 annually living on cruise ships versus average home costs of over $500,000 in their former area. They maintain a frugal lifestyle with only two […]
Hawaii Leads Nation in Laser Strikes Against Aircraft Near Airports
Hawaii has one of the highest rates of people pointing lasers at aircraft in the U.S., creating serious flight safety risks during takeoffs and landings at island airports. Federal officials report Hawaii tops the nation in per-capita laser strikes against aircraft. Laser beams can blind or disorient pilots during critical takeoff and landing phases near […]
Lahaina Fire Survivors Set to Receive Settlement Payments After 3 Years
Nearly three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, settlement payments are ready for distribution to victims, with court rulings limiting attorney fees to 5% and insurer claims to 10% of the fund. Settlement distribution is beginning for 21,750 claimants who filed nearly 95,000 claims from the August 8, 2023 Lahaina fire. Judge limited attorney fees […]
Local Construction Group Awards $60K in Scholarships to Three Maui Students
Construction Industry of Maui awarded $20,000 scholarships to three local students, including one fire survivor planning to help rebuild Lahaina with resilient design. Three Maui students each received $20,000 college scholarships from the Construction Industry of Maui. One recipient is developing non-toxic fire suppression foam using native Hawaiian plants. A Lahaina fire survivor plans to […]
Three-Day Lahaina Community Event Set for July to Support Recovery Efforts
A three-day cultural gathering will take place July 17-19 on Front Street in Lahaina to celebrate community recovery and provide opportunities for local vendors and businesses. The county-organized event prioritizes Lahaina-based businesses and wildfire-impacted entrepreneurs. Event runs July 17-19 on Front Street from Prison to Dickinson Street with four separate gatherings planned. Vendor applications are […]
Hawaiian Electric Issues Wildfire Warning, Upgrades Grid Infrastructure
Hawaiian Electric is warning of wildfire conditions in coming months and implementing system upgrades including pole replacements and fire detection cameras. The utility urges property owners to prepare their homes and create emergency plans. Hawaiian Electric expects increased wildfire risk due to potentially lower rainfall in upcoming months. The utility has installed 144 AI-assisted fire […]
Snohomish County Considers Reducing Road Requirements for Developments
Snohomish County is considering a code change that would allow developers to skip building connecting roads in some housing developments, including fire-prone areas. Fire chiefs warn this could hamper emergency response and evacuations during wildfires. Proposed code change would let developers avoid building connecting roads in certain housing developments, even in fire-risk areas. Fire chiefs […]
Motorcycle Fatality in Makawao Brings County’s 2026 Traffic Deaths to Five
A 48-year-old Haiku man died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Piiholo Road in Makawao on June 10. This marks Maui County’s fifth traffic fatality of 2026, down from 11 at the same time last year. The motorcyclist failed to navigate a left bend on Piiholo Road and was ejected after hitting an embankment. The […]