Maui County Approves $10M for Hurricane Lala Recovery; Total Costs May Hit $15M
The Maui County Council voted 7-0 to approve $10 million in emergency funding to cover Hurricane Lala damage and recovery costs. Budget officials warn total costs could exceed $15 million, meaning additional funding requests may follow. Maui County Council passed Bill 122 on first reading, releasing $10 million from emergency reserves for Hurricane Lala recovery […]
Hurricane Lowell Impacts Ease on Maui; Kauaʻi Still Faces Closures
Multiple sources report that Hurricane Lowell brought coastal flooding, road closures, and temporary shelter sites to Maui, but conditions have improved enough for schools and government offices to reopen Wednesday, Sept. 9. Maui County closed temporary service sites by the evening of Sept. 8 as the NWS Flood Watch expired and the storm weakened. Kauaʻi […]
West Maui Bike League Hosts Candidate Forum on Transportation Future
The Maui Bicycling League is hosting a nonpartisan community event on Sept. 12, 2026, bringing together West Maui political candidates to discuss major transportation projects including the Honoapiʻilani Highway Realignment and Lahaina Bypass Extension. The event includes group bicycle rides and a candidate conversation brunch on newly reopened Front Street in Lahaina. The Sept. 12 […]
Maui Farmers Face Back-to-Back Storm Damage as Two More Systems Approach
Maui agricultural producers are still recovering from March Kona low flooding and August Hurricane Lala damage when Hurricane Lowell and Tropical Storm Karina are forecast to arrive this week. Farmers report severe crop losses, soil erosion, and infrastructure damage compounding across multiple storm events in 2026. Hurricane Lowell and Tropical Storm Karina are approaching Maui […]
Hurricane Lowell Brings High Surf Warning to Maui South Shores Through Tuesday
Hurricane Lowell is generating dangerous surf across all Hawaiian Islands, with Maui County’s south-facing shores expected to see waves of 12 to 16 feet Monday afternoon and evening. High Surf Warnings are in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday. High Surf Warnings are active for the south shores of all Hawaiian Islands, including Maui County, through […]
Hurricane Lowell Forces Multiple Road Closures Across Maui
Multiple sources including Maui County and Maui Now report that Hurricane Lowell’s impacts triggered widespread road closures across Maui beginning the evening of September 7 and into September 8, 2026. High surf and debris on roadways forced closures on several major routes in Kihei, Lahaina, and along the West Maui coastline. Front Street is closed […]
Hurricane Lowell Forces West Maui School Closures Along Honoapiʻilani Hwy
Four West Maui schools closed Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to unsafe travel conditions on Honoapiʻilani Highway in the Olowalu area caused by Hurricane Lowell. The closures affect Lahaina-area campuses; all other Maui County schools remained open. Storm impacts made Honoapiʻilani Highway unsafe near Olowalu, cutting off access to four West Maui schools for buses, staff, […]
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Expected Across Maui Through Tuesday
A high-rain weather system is bringing frequent showers, isolated thunderstorms, and locally heavy rainfall to all parts of Maui on September 7–8, 2026. Rain chances range from 70–100% island-wide, with breezy to windy conditions expected. All Maui regions face 90–100% rain chances today, with locally heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms possible. Winds will be breezy […]
Lane Closures on Key Maui Highways Sept. 8–11, 2026
The Hawaii Department of Transportation is conducting road work on Honoapiʻilani and Piʻilani Highways through September 11, causing lane closures at multiple locations. Work includes guardrail replacement, storm drain cleaning, and rockfall clearing, with at least one lane remaining open at most sites. Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) will see multiple lane closures between Sept. 8–11, […]
Proposal Urges Hawaii to Formalize Volunteer Boat Network for Disaster Relief
A Civil Beat opinion piece calls on Hawaii to create an organized volunteer small-boat program to support disaster relief efforts, citing the 2023 Lahaina fire and recent hurricane activity as evidence of the need. The author argues that informal boat-owner responses have already proven effective but lack coordination and a formal plan. During the 2023 […]