Revenue Management Issues Impact Vacation Rental Performance on Maui
Industry experts identify common operational problems that hurt vacation rental revenue, including poor listing quality and flat cleaning fees that reduce bookings during slower periods. 88% of vacation rental listings have quality issues that hurt their search visibility and booking conversion rates. Poor listing content forces revenue managers to lower nightly rates to compensate for […]
Maui Council Advances Bill That Could Preserve Thousands of Vacation Rentals
Multiple sources report that the Maui County Council is considering legislation that could allow thousands of vacation rentals previously slated for phase-out to continue operating through new hotel zoning designations. The Committee on Housing and Land Use voted 6-to-1 in favor of the measure this week, despite opposition from local planning commissions. Bill 88 would […]
Hawaiian Airlines Replaces Free Coach Meals with Paid Chef-Curated Menu
Hawaiian Airlines announced it will end complimentary main cabin meals on most mainland flights starting July 1, replacing them with pre-order meals created by Maui chef Sheldon Simeon. Multiple sources report this marks a shift from the airline’s longtime practice of including meals with tickets, though officials say the change addresses passenger requests for more […]
Major Maui Landowner Reports Revenue Drop Amid Recovery Challenges
Maui Land & Pineapple saw revenues fall 41% in Q1 2026 due to suspended housing projects, though commercial properties benefited from wildfire-related tenant relocations and improving tourism traffic. Land development revenues plummeted to $257,000 from $2.6 million after the state suspended the Honokeana Homes housing project in April 2025. Commercial real estate stayed stable at […]
United Airlines Disruptions at East Coast Hub Affect Hawaii-Bound Travelers
Washington Dulles airport experienced 102 flight delays and cancellations on May 27, primarily affecting United Airlines and regional carriers. The disruptions impacted connections to domestic and international destinations including routes that serve Hawaii travelers. United Airlines and regional partners Mesa Airlines and CommuteAir had 98 delays and 4 cancellations at Washington Dulles on May 27. […]
New Wailuku Film Festival Launches with 100+ Films This June
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival runs June 17-21, 2026, featuring over 100 films including 55+ from Hawaii filmmakers, with screenings in Wailuku and at MACC. Festival tickets go on sale today for $15 (Wailuku venues) and $20 (MACC finale). Event showcases 55+ films from Hawaii filmmakers plus international works from Pacific and global creators. Programming […]
Wellness Workshop for Lahaina Fire Survivors Set for June 6
A detox and wellness workshop will be held at Lahaina Jodo Mission on June 6 to support community healing after the wildfires. The event includes health education, acupuncture, and heavy metal testing for fire survivors. Workshop runs June 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. […]
Southwest Operates Short Inter-Island Route Between Kona and Maui Airports
Southwest Airlines runs one of its shortest US routes between Kona and Kahului airports, an 84-mile inter-island flight connecting the Big Island to Maui. Southwest’s Kona-Kahului route covers 84 miles and ranks as the airline’s third-shortest US domestic flight. The inter-island service connects Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport to Kahului Airport on Maui. Southwest operates […]
New Wailuku Film Festival Launches June 17-21 with 100+ Films
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival runs June 17-21, 2026, featuring over 100 films from Pacific and global filmmakers at venues in Wailuku and Kahului. Tickets are now on sale for $15-20 with no added fees. Festival showcases 100+ films including 55+ from Hawaii filmmakers at Historic ʻĪao Theater and other Maui venues. Tickets cost $15 […]
Council Committee Advances New Hotel Zones for Vacation Rental Properties
Maui County Council’s Housing Committee voted 6-1 to advance new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning districts for 4,500 grandfathered vacation rentals, overriding planning commissions’ recommendations for denial. The new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning categories would provide a pathway for 4,500 vacation rentals on the Minatoya List to seek hotel zoning. All three county planning […]