State Land Board Blocks 30-Year East Maui Water License for Mahi Pono
Multiple outlets reported that Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to reject a proposed 30-year water license that would have allowed agricultural company Mahi Pono to divert tens of millions of gallons per day from the East Maui Irrigation System. The decision followed nearly eight hours of public testimony and sided with […]
Haiku Fire Station Delayed Again Over Land Title Legal Dispute
A proposed new fire station in Haiku has been stalled by a contested land ownership dispute, prompting the Maui County Council committee to seek legal counsel and postpone any vote until August 24. The 17-year-in-the-making project requires rezoning approvals before construction can begin. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee delayed action on […]
State Blocks Maui County Bid to Take Over East Maui Water System
The Hawaii state land department is opposing Maui County’s effort to take control of the East Maui Irrigation system, which supplies water across the island. The state is instead proposing to retain oversight and issue a 30-year water license to large farming operation Mahi Pono. Maui County sought state approval to negotiate a takeover of […]
Maui County Council Approves Free Bus Rides During Special Events
The Maui County Council passed a bill allowing the county transportation director to suspend bus fares for up to 14 days per year during permitted special events, parades, or emergencies. The move expands an existing fare-free program and aims to reduce single-vehicle traffic on the island. The transportation director can now waive bus fares for […]
South Maui Water System Near Capacity; County Eyes $53M Desalination Plant
Maui’s Central-South Maui water system is operating nearly at full capacity during dry months, prompting the county to explore a $53 million desalination plant in Kīhei. The project is in early planning stages and received a cautious reception from community members who want conservation measures prioritized first. The Central-South Maui water system delivers 26.79 billion […]
Maui County Eyes $6M Takeover of West Maui Private Water Systems
The Maui County Council has given preliminary approval to purchase private water infrastructure in West Maui from West Maui Land for $6 million. Supporters say public ownership will improve reliability, while some council members warn of potential long-term costs. Maui County Council granted preliminary approval to acquire West Maui Land’s water systems, which serve roughly […]
Maui County Expands Free Bus Access to Students, Seniors, and Higher-Income Residents
The Maui County Council passed Bill 95, broadening eligibility for the fare-free bus program to include students of all ages, residents 55 and older, and households earning up to 300% of the poverty threshold. The bill also allows fare suspensions during special events or emergencies for up to 14 days per fiscal year. Bill 95 […]
South Kihei Road Near Kamaole II Reopens Ahead of Schedule
Maui County reopened a storm-damaged 150-foot stretch of South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park on August 11, 2026, completing repairs earlier than the original fall timeline. The project addressed extensive underground infrastructure damage caused by a March Kona low storm. South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park reopened to traffic on August […]
Hāna Water Service Restored After Scheduled Morning Outage
A planned water shutoff affecting the Hāna Elementary School to Hāna Town area was completed and service restored by 10 a.m. on August 11, ahead of the scheduled 12:30 p.m. end time. Water service has been fully restored to the Hāna corridor as of 10 a.m. on August 11. The outage was a planned maintenance […]
Selenium Detected in South Maui Water System, Levels Deemed Safe
Multiple sources, including Maui County and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, report that trace levels of selenium were detected for the first time in the Wailuku water system serving Māʻalaea, Kīhei, Wailea, and Mākena. Health officials say the detected levels are well below federal and state safety limits and are unlikely to pose a public health risk. […]