Hawaii Supreme Court Reviews Tobacco Case That Could Affect Business Liability
The Hawaii Supreme Court is reviewing a $14 million verdict against Philip Morris in a case that could set precedent for how business liability is determined when customers are harmed by deceptive marketing practices. A lung cancer survivor won $14 million from Philip Morris after jury found the company liable for deceptive marketing about smoking […]
Vice President Honors Fallen Maui Police Officer at National Memorial
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance honored fallen Maui Police Officer Suzanne O at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. Officer O was killed in the line of duty in August 2025 while searching for a suspect in Paia. Officer Suzanne O was fatally shot on August 15, 2025, while searching for a suspect near the […]
County Council Approves $1.6B Budget with Contested Temple Grant
Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion budget for fiscal 2027, including a controversial $2.5 million grant for shoreline stabilization at a historic Buddhist temple in Pā’ia facing erosion. The budget is $8.4 million less than the mayor proposed, shifting funds from capital projects to operations. Council approved $2.5 million for Pā’ia Mantokuji Mission […]
Hawaii Attorney General Defends State’s Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Record
Hawaii’s Attorney General responded to federal criticism by citing 25 Medicaid fraud prosecutions and $14 million in recoveries since 2021. The state is working with federal partners to strengthen enforcement after a recent federal review identified challenges. Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has secured $14 million in judgments and settlements across 25 cases since 2021. […]
Hawaii Bans Corporate Political Spending Starting July 2027
Governor Green signed a new law prohibiting corporations and LLCs from spending money on political campaigns or ballot measures. The law takes effect July 1, 2027 and applies to all business entities organized under Hawaii law. Act 011 bans corporations, LLCs, and other business entities from spending on elections or ballot measures starting July 2027. […]
Whitehorse Implements Staged Restrictions on Short-Term Rental Properties
Whitehorse City Council approved new regulations limiting short-term rentals in residential areas, with restrictions on non-resident operators taking effect in October 2027. Current operators can continue under a grandfather clause if they comply with city regulations. New short-term rental operators will be prohibited from renting residential properties that aren’t their primary residence starting October 1, […]
Maui County Council Elections May Shift Policy Direction This Fall
Upcoming Maui County Council elections could create a progressive majority as conservative members step down and competitive races emerge. The results may influence post-wildfire recovery policies, housing decisions, and development regulations. Two conservative council members are not seeking reelection, creating opportunities for progressive candidates to gain control. Elections are viewed as a referendum on local […]
Maui County Approves Prefab Housing as Permanent Option in Lahaina
Maui County has announced it will now allow factory-built housing as permanent dwellings in the Lahaina Burn Zone, implementing new procedures to expand housing options for fire survivors. The policy change aims to reduce construction costs and streamline the path from permitting to occupancy for affected families. Factory-built housing, defined as dwellings prefabricated or assembled […]
New Registry Platform Tracks Hawaii STR Compliance Amid 2026 Law Changes
A new platform called JP-Homes has launched to help travelers and property owners verify which vacation rentals comply with Hawaii’s updated 2026 zoning laws. The service aims to prevent booking cancellations and legal issues as enforcement of new short-term rental regulations intensifies. JP-Homes provides real-time verification of which buildings meet Hawaii’s 2026 resort-zone requirements for […]
Maui County Considers Using 20% of Vacation Rental Tax for Climate Fund
Maui County Council will discuss legislation Thursday to dedicate 20% of transient accommodations tax revenue to a new Climate Action and Resiliency Fund. The proposal would allocate about $13 million annually from vacation rental and hotel taxes to fund over 100 climate resilience projects. The proposed fund would receive 20% of annual transient accommodations tax […]