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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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. […]