East Maui Water Authority Opens $150K Grant Round for Watershed Projects

Maui County’s East Maui Water Authority is accepting grant applications from Aug. 12 to Oct. 1, 2026, with $150,000 available for projects supporting watershed restoration, education, and cultural knowledge-sharing in East Maui communities. A total of $150,000 in grants is available for FY2027, targeting projects in Huelo, Honomanū, Keʻanae, and Nāhiku. Eligible projects include watershed […]
South Kihei Road Near Kam II Beach Park Reopens Aug. 11, Ahead of Schedule

South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole II Beach Park will reopen to traffic on August 11, 2026, earlier than the originally estimated fall completion date. The County of Maui repaired extensive storm damage caused by a March Kona low using federal emergency funding. The roughly 150-foot section of South Kīhei Road damaged by a March 2026 […]
Paid Parking Expands to Kamaole Beach Parks, Sparking Visitor Pushback

A visitor letter to the Maui News criticizes the expansion of paid parking to Kamaole Beach parks, arguing it burdens both residents and tourists and signals a cultural shift away from open public access. Paid parking has expanded to the Kamaole Beach parks, a change the letter-writer noticed during a recent family visit to Maui. […]
East Maui Water Authority Hosting Grant Application Workshops

The East Maui Water Authority is holding the first of three workshops to help potential applicants prepare for the FY27 grant process. The session is available both in-person and online on August 12, 2026. East Maui Water Authority is offering grant funding opportunities for fiscal year 2027. Three workshops are planned to guide applicants through […]
Water Restored to Honokohau Valley After Emergency Mainline Repair

Maui County restored water service to Honokohau Valley customers on July 31, 2026, following emergency repairs to a broken mainline. Residents and property owners are advised to flush their lines and storage tanks before normal use. Water service to Honokohau Valley was fully restored as of 1:25 p.m. on July 31, 2026. An emergency repair […]
Maui County Eyes Deal to Expand Public Control of West Maui Water Systems

Maui County is negotiating a non-binding agreement with Maui Land & Pineapple to acquire key West Maui water infrastructure, which would increase public stewardship of the area’s drinking water from 45% to 93%. The County Council reviewed the memorandum of understanding but raised concerns about provisions linking the water purchase to zoning changes for housing […]
Water Service Restored to Honokohau Valley After Mainline Break

Maui County repaired an emergency mainline break and restored water service to Honokohau Valley customers as of 1:25 p.m. on July 31, 2026. Residents and property owners are advised to flush their lines and storage tanks before normal use. Water service to Honokohau Valley was fully restored following emergency repairs to a mainline break. Property […]
Maui County Moves to Buy Two West Maui Water Systems for $6M

Maui County is seeking Council approval to purchase the Launiupoko and Olowalu private water systems for up to $6 million, part of a broader effort to bring 93% of West Maui’s drinking water infrastructure under public ownership. Final closing is not expected until April 2027, pending Council and Public Utilities Commission approval. The county would […]
East Maui Water Outage on Wailua Road Affects 31 Homes for ~4 Hours

A mainline break on Wailua Road in East Maui caused an emergency water service outage on July 30, starting at 8:30 a.m. and lasting approximately four hours. About 31 residences were affected. Emergency repairs on a mainline break triggered the outage beginning at 8:30 a.m. on July 30. Approximately 31 residences and 12 standpipes/hydrants lost […]
Maui County Eyes Desalination to Address Water Shortages in West and South Maui

Maui County’s Department of Water Supply is holding public meetings in August to explore desalination as a solution to growing water demand in West and South Maui. Current supplies are already strained, with West Maui peak demand exceeding reliable supply by over 40%. Public meetings on desalination are scheduled for Aug. 5 in Kihei and […]