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 […]
Maui County Accepts Liquor License Renewals Through June 15
The Department of Liquor Control is accepting renewal applications for FY 2027 liquor licenses until June 15, 2026. Property owners with liquor licenses should submit applications early to avoid processing delays. Liquor license renewal applications for FY 2027 are due by June 15, 2026. The renewal period started April 1 and runs for two and […]
County Signs MOU to Acquire West Maui Private Water Systems from MLP
Maui County signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire private water infrastructure in West Maui, increasing public control of drinking water systems from 45% to 93%. The MOU establishes framework for County to acquire MLP’s West Maui water system including wells, reservoirs, and the Honokōhau Ditch System. Agreement includes […]
Maui Mayor Bissen Files for Re-Election, Key Council Members Seek New Terms
Mayor Richard Bissen has officially filed to run for re-election as Maui’s mayor, emphasizing the need for steady leadership. Several key Maui County Council incumbents have also committed to seeking re-election. Mayor Bissen has filed his re-election paperwork, campaigning on providing steady leadership for Maui. Multiple current Maui County Council members have officially entered the […]
Maui County Reviews $1.6B Budget with Housing and Infrastructure Focus
Maui County Council will hold the first reading of the fiscal year 2027 budget on Friday, featuring $1.6 billion in spending focused on housing and community infrastructure. The council must approve the final budget by June 10. The proposed $1.6 billion budget prioritizes housing development and community infrastructure improvements. Public hearings on Friday will allow […]
BC Privacy Ruling Protects Short-Term Rental Operator Address Privacy
British Columbia’s privacy commissioner ruled that Vancouver must keep short-term rental operator addresses confidential to protect owners from harassment and financial harm. The decision came after a years-long public records dispute by a housing advocate. BC privacy adjudicator ruled short-term rental addresses must remain private to prevent harassment and reputational damage to operators. The decision […]
Traffic Accident Briefly Blocks Kuihelani Highway, Now Reopened
A motor vehicle accident temporarily closed the southbound lane of Kuihelani Highway at Maui Lani Parkway. The roadway has since been reopened to traffic. Southbound lane of Kuihelani Highway was closed due to a motor vehicle accident. The closure affected traffic between Kuihelani Highway and Maui Lani Parkway. County officials have confirmed the roadway is […]
Big Island Council Debates Competing 20-Year Development Plans
Hawaii County Council is split between two development plans that will guide the Big Island’s growth over the next 20 years, rushing to approve one before November elections change council membership. Two competing plans are under consideration: a 310-page General Plan 2045 from the Planning Department and a shorter 72-page alternative from a council member. […]