Maui County Plans Public Ferry to Lāna’i in 2027, Moloka’i by 2029
Maui County is moving forward with a publicly operated interisland ferry service, aiming to take over the existing Lāna’i route next year and restore Moloka’i service by 2029. The plan involves purchasing Expeditions’ fleet for over $46 million and requires an annual subsidy of nearly $2 million. Maui County plans to acquire and operate the […]
UH Lands $3.6M NIH Grant to Study Plantation-Era Toxins and Wildfire Health Risks
A University of Hawaii research team will use a $3.6 million NIH grant to study whether legacy agricultural pollutants — disturbed by the 2023 Maui wildfires — are causing ongoing health impacts for Hawaii residents. The five-year study will track 1,000 participants and test soil, water, and biological samples across four exposure groups. UH Manoa […]
Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Add Maui Flights, Tighten Check-In Rules Oct. 3
Multiple sources reported that Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines will introduce several operational changes effective October 3, 2026, affecting interisland travel to and from Maui. The updates include a stricter check-in deadline and new Boeing 737-800 service on the Honolulu–Kahului route, adding capacity on one of Hawaii’s busiest corridors. Starting October 3, all interisland travelers must […]
South Maui 20-Year Growth Plan Stalls Over Water Limits and $500M+ Cost Gap
Maui County Council is reviewing the long-awaited South Maui Community Plan, which aims to guide two decades of growth but faces a water system near capacity, a 2030 cesspool conversion deadline, and infrastructure costs exceeding half a billion dollars with no identified funding for many projects. The South Maui Community Plan would replace the 1998 […]
South Maui Growth Plan Raises Infrastructure Cost and Evacuation Concerns
The Maui County Council is reviewing the South Maui Community Plan update and finding that most capital projects lack cost estimates, with known costs already totaling $554 million. Council members are also pressing whether evacuation routes in Kīhei, Wailea, and Mākena are adequate given wildfire risk. The Council committee is doing a section-by-section review of […]
Maui Pig Sanctuary Seeks Help After Back-to-Back Storm Damage
The Maui Pig Sanctuary in Makawao sustained significant damage from spring flooding and two hurricanes and is seeking donations and volunteers to fund repairs. The nonprofit, which also offers public tours and therapy visits, houses 105 pigs across two properties. Kona low flooding in March and subsequent Hurricanes Lala and Lowell damaged the sanctuary’s Makawao […]
PGA Jr. League Regional Tournament Brings 16 Youth Golf Teams to Wailea
Wailea Golf Club is hosting a PGA Jr. League Regional tournament this weekend, drawing 16 youth All-Star teams competing for spots in national championships. The event runs Friday through Sunday at Wailea’s Gold Course. 16 youth All-Star teams, including two from Oʻahu, are competing at Wailea Golf Club September 19–21 for national championship berths. The […]
ʻĪao Theater to Close Months in 2027 for $3.8M County Roof Repair
Maui County has budgeted $3.8 million to restore the roof of the historic ʻĪao Theater, forcing Maui OnStage to go dark for several months sometime in 2027. The organization is planning alternate venues and holding a Sept. 26 fundraiser to offset lost revenue during the closure. Maui County will spend approximately $3.8 million repairing the […]
Mala Ocean Tavern Draws Visitors Back to Lahaina’s Front Street
Mala Ocean Tavern, the first restaurant to reopen on Lahaina’s Front Street after the 2023 fire, is drawing strong visitor interest and recently won Best Maui Restaurant in Honolulu Magazine’s 2026 Hale Aina Awards. The oceanfront spot is helping anchor West Maui’s commercial recovery for tourists. Mala Ocean Tavern reopened February 1, 2024, becoming the […]
South Maui Town Hall Sept. 30 to Cover Roads, Flood Recovery, Land-Use Plan
Maui County Council Member Tom Cook will host a public town hall on September 30 in Kīhei covering storm recovery, road improvements, flood mitigation, and updates on the South Maui Community Plan. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. at the Malcolm Center. The Sept. 30 town hall will address recovery from Hurricane Lowell and […]