State Legislature Cuts Funding for Wildfire Survivor Health Study
A University of Hawaii study tracking long-term health impacts on 2,000 Maui wildfire survivors faces shutdown after the state legislature failed to approve $1.5 million in funding. The study has been monitoring health conditions and connecting survivors to medical services since the August 2023 fires. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study will shut down without $1.5 […]
Maui Approves Factory-Built Housing as Permanent Structures in Lahaina
Maui County now allows prefabricated housing as permanent dwellings in the Lahaina Burn Zone under new regulations. The change aims to reduce construction costs and speed up the rebuilding process for local families. Factory-built and prefabricated homes can now be permitted as permanent housing in Lahaina Burn Zone. New regulations allow structures assembled off-site to […]
Westin Maui Plans Week-Long July 4th Celebration with Drone Shows
The Westin Maui Resort will host a six-day Fourth of July celebration featuring drone light shows and helicopter orchid drops instead of traditional fireworks. The resort is also offering special packages with discounts and resort credits through July 15. The celebration runs July 1-6 and includes choreographed drone shows as an environmentally-friendly fireworks alternative. Featured […]
County Ending Storm Debris Curbside Collection Service This Friday
Multiple sources report that Maui County will stop accepting requests for curbside storm debris pickup after May 22, 2026. The service has been helping residents clean up damage from severe Kona low storms that hit the island in March and April. County debris removal service concludes Friday, May 22, 2026 Service covers residential green waste, […]
Weekend Weather Conditions Across Hawaiian Islands for May 16-17, 2026
Multiple weather services have issued forecasts for the Hawaiian islands this weekend, showing varied conditions across different regions. Maui expects mostly sunny skies with scattered showers, while the Big Island faces cloudier conditions with higher rainfall chances. Maui’s west and south sides will see mostly sunny conditions with highs in the low-to-mid 80s Scattered showers […]
Fatal Traffic Accident Closes Kūihelani Highway Near Airport Route
A 27-year-old Kahului man died in a collision with a bus on Kūihelani Highway Thursday morning. This is Maui County’s second traffic fatality of 2026. The crash occurred at 6:06 a.m. on May 14 near the East Waikō Road intersection on Route 380. A Nissan Versa collided with the rear of a slowing bus and […]
Kīlauea Eruption Episode 47 Ends After 9-Hour Lava Display
The latest Kīlauea eruption episode ended early May 15 after 9 hours of lava fountaining that created a 20,000-foot ash plume. The volcano has returned to a paused state with no current activity. Episode 47 lasted 9 hours from May 14 afternoon until early May 15 morning before stopping abruptly. Lava fountaining created an ash […]
Weekend Road Closures on Makawao Avenue Continue Through June 21
County reconstruction work will close sections of Makawao Avenue on weekends through June 21, 2026, with local traffic access only during 6am Saturday to 6:30pm Sunday closures. Weekend closures affect different Makawao Avenue sections each weekend from May 16 through June 21, 2026. Local traffic access will be maintained during full weekend road closures from […]
Lahaina Named Top Hawaii Town in 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
Hawaii Magazine readers voted Lahaina as the best town in Hawaii for 2026, highlighting the community’s ongoing recovery and reopening of restaurants and businesses after the 2023 wildfires. Lahaina ranked #1 in Hawaii Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards despite ongoing recovery from 2023 wildfires. Key Lahaina restaurants like Māla Ocean Tavern, Coco Deck Kitchen + […]
Flight Sponsorship Program Brings Displaced Lahaina Residents Home in July
A new competition will provide free round-trip flights for up to 80 displaced Lahaina residents to return for a July healing and community event. Applications are now open for families affected by the 2023 fires or economic displacement. Hawaiian Airlines partnership provides free flights from mainland US for up to 80 people to attend July […]