Agriculture Leader Bobby Pahia Files for Upcountry Council Seat
Bobby Pahia, a family business owner with experience in land use planning and water management, has officially filed to run for the Upcountry Maui County Council seat. His campaign focuses on protecting land, providing cost-of-living relief, and supporting local families. Pahia brings decades of experience in land use planning, water management, and infrastructure maintenance to […]
Illegal Oahu Rentals Face $40K Fines as Honolulu Steps Up Enforcement
Honolulu fined two illegal vacation rentals $40,000 and is aggressively enforcing short-term rental rules, potentially shutting down properties between booking and guest arrival. Properties in residential neighborhoods outside resort zones like Waikiki and Ko Olina are generally prohibited from operating as vacation rentals. Two Oahu vacation rental properties were fined $40,000 by Honolulu for operating […]
Maui County Street Homelessness Rises 40% Despite Flat Overall Numbers
The 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count conducted in January shows unsheltered homelessness on Maui jumped 40% while total homeless numbers remained essentially unchanged, according to multiple reports released this week. The data reveals a shift from sheltered to unsheltered populations amid ongoing housing challenges. Total homeless count in Maui County decreased slightly from 654 […]
Federal Charges Filed Against Washington Tourist for Attacking Maui Monk Seal
Multiple news outlets report that a Washington state tourist has been arrested on federal charges for throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named ‘Lani’ in Lahaina. The incident, which was captured on video and sparked widespread outrage, highlights ongoing tensions between tourists and local wildlife protection efforts. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of […]
Lahaina Named Top Hawaii Town in 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
Hawaii Magazine readers voted Lahaina as the best town in Hawaii for 2026, highlighting the community’s ongoing recovery and reopening of restaurants and businesses after the 2023 wildfires. Lahaina ranked #1 in Hawaii Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards despite ongoing recovery from 2023 wildfires. Key Lahaina restaurants like Māla Ocean Tavern, Coco Deck Kitchen + […]
Four Seasons Wailea Launches Premium Club Floor Experience
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has opened a new Club Floor featuring 26 premium rooms with exclusive lounge access and personalized concierge services. The upgrade represents the resort’s push toward higher-end luxury accommodations in the Wailea market. Four Seasons Wailea debuts Club Floor with 26 exclusive rooms and suites offering premium amenities. New Club […]
County Council Reviews Revised $1.6B Budget with Infrastructure Cuts
Maui County Council will consider a $1.6 billion budget that reduces capital projects by $20 million while increasing day-to-day operations funding. The budget addresses ongoing recovery from wildfires, recent storm damage, and economic pressures from global conflicts affecting fuel costs. Council committee unanimously approved cutting $8.4 million from mayor’s budget proposal, shifting $20 million from […]
Hawaii High Court Reviews Civil Case Delays During Criminal Proceedings
The Hawaii Supreme Court is considering when civil cases should be paused while defendants face criminal charges, in a case involving jailed defense contractor Martin Kao. The ruling could set precedent for how Hawaii courts handle overlapping civil and criminal proceedings. Former Navatek CEO Martin Kao is serving 10+ years for fraud and illegal campaign […]
Jackson Developer Admits to Unlawful Short-Term Rental of Worker Housing
A Jackson business owner admitted to using a deed-restricted worker apartment as an Airbnb rental, violating his 2019 contract with the town, though he denies fraudulent intent. Jeff Neishabouri admitted to short-term renting a deed-restricted apartment required for Jackson Hole workers on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. The Town of Jackson sued Neishabouri in March […]
Survey Shows Property Maintenance Stress Affects Most Homeowners’ Mental Health
A new study finds 84% of homeowners experience anxiety from property maintenance and costs, though 97% still consider homeownership worthwhile. Many defer expensive repairs including plumbing, roofing, and electrical work. 84% of homeowners report that property-related stress impacts their quality of life, with some losing sleep or experiencing worsened mental health. 69% of homeowners are […]