Hawaii AG Sues EPA Over HECO’s Reversal on Maui Power Plant Shutdowns
Hawaii’s Attorney General has filed a legal challenge against the EPA after Hawaiian Electric reversed its earlier commitment to retire aging, polluting oil-burning generators on Maui and the Big Island. The dispute centers on whether those voluntary retirement agreements are still binding under Hawaii’s air quality plan. Hawaiian Electric’s Kahului and Māʻalaea generating stations were […]
Lahaina Bypass Extension Draws Community Pushback Over Route and Cost
The state is moving forward with a 4.5-mile Lahaina Bypass extension in West Maui, funded in part by $100 million in disaster relief, but residents are raising concerns about the proposed connector routes and whether the money is being spent wisely. The proposed extension would run from Keawe Street to the Pu’ukoli’i area, designed to […]
Pukalani Resident Urges County to Fund Grazing as Fire Fuel Removal Tool
A Pukalani homeowner argues that current fire code compliance — mowing only — leaves cut grass on the ground as a lingering fire hazard. He calls on county officials to support grazing programs as a practical, permitted-free method of actual fuel removal. Current Maui fire code requires fuel breaks to be mowed, but cut grass […]
Maui County Seeks Public Input on Desalination Plans for South and West Maui
The Maui County Department of Water Supply is holding two public meetings in August to discuss desalination as a potential long-term water source for South and West Maui. Community members can learn about project status, estimated costs, and next steps, and provide feedback. Meetings are scheduled for Aug. 5 at the Kīhei Community Center and […]
Hawaii Sues EPA Over Rejection of Maui Air Quality Plan Tied to Haleakalā
Hawaii’s Attorney General and environmental groups filed federal court challenges after the EPA partially rejected the state’s 2024 Regional Haze Plan, which would have reduced pollution affecting Haleakalā and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parks. The plan had called for retiring older Hawaiian Electric power plants on Maui and the Big Island. Hawaii filed a petition in […]
Maui’s New $24M Emergency Operations Center Opens in Wailuku This August
Multiple sources reported that Maui County held a blessing ceremony on July 24, 2026 for a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Wailuku, with full operations set to begin in August. The facility nearly quadruples the county’s emergency coordination capacity and is described by officials as one of the most technologically advanced EOCs in the […]
Upcountry Maui House Candidate Prioritizes Water Infrastructure, Housing Costs
Republican Dan Johnson, running unopposed in the primary for state House District 12 covering Upcountry Maui, identifies water rights and infrastructure as the district’s top issue. He also supports ending the interisland shipping monopoly and rethinking housing affordability incentives. Johnson says Upcountry Maui’s water storage and infrastructure are critically underfunded, with some waitlists stretching over […]
Selenium Found in Makawao Water Supply, Levels Far Below Safety Limits
Maui County detected trace amounts of selenium in the Makawao water system during routine testing, with confirmed levels of 3.7–4.9 micrograms per liter. The EPA’s maximum contaminant level is 50 micrograms per liter, meaning current levels pose no regulatory concern. Selenium was detected for the first time in the Makawao water system, confirmed by follow-up […]
Maui May See Import Bans on Plants and Mulch to Block Invasive Beetle
A state advisory committee has approved a proposed interim rule that would restrict imports of plants, mulch, soil, and coconuts to Maui and Lānaʻi to prevent the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle. The full Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity will now review the amended rule. Recent CRB detections near Kahului Airport and in Central […]
Paia Water Outage on Poni Place Affects 20 Homes for ~2 Hours
Maui County is conducting emergency repairs on a mainline break on Poni Place in Paia on July 19, causing a roughly 2-hour water outage starting at 4 p.m. About 20 residences and 2 standpipes are affected. A mainline break on Poni Place in Paia triggered an emergency water shutoff on July 19 at 4 p.m. […]