Tourist Faces Federal Charges for Throwing Rock at Monk Seal in Lahaina
A Washington state man has been formally charged in federal court for allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Lahaina on May 5, 2026. Multiple news sources report that Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, faces charges under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act for the incident that was […]
Council Advances 170-Unit Housing Development Near Congested Paia Town
Maui County Council committee voted to advance a 170-home development proposal on former sugarcane land near Paia, despite existing traffic and parking issues in the already crowded north shore town. The development would include 120 single-family homes, 50 multi-family units, commercial businesses, and a medical clinic on 40 acres. A 200-stall public parking lot is […]
Emergency Water Repairs Cut Service to 75 Wailuku Homes for 3 Hours
Emergency water repairs caused a 3-hour outage affecting 75 residences in the Ekoa Place, Alaneo Place, and South Alu Road areas of Wailuku starting at 9:30 AM on May 26. Water service was disrupted for approximately 3 hours starting at 9:30 AM due to emergency repairs. The outage affected 75 residences and 15 fire hydrants […]
Search Called Off for Missing Fisherman Near Oahu Waters
The Coast Guard ended its search Monday evening for a 61-year-old man who went missing during a fishing trip off Oahu’s west coast last week. Coast Guard suspended search efforts after covering over 178,898 square miles in 122 combined hours. The missing boater departed for a fishing trip Wednesday morning and was last seen near […]
Wailuku First Friday Community Event Returns June 5 with Local Music
Wailuku First Friday returns June 5 from 6-9 p.m. on Market Street featuring local Hawaiian musicians, food vendors, and shopping. The free family event includes performances by Grammy-nominated Gregory Juan and local group Kuikawa. Market Street will close to vehicle traffic at 5:30 p.m. with free parking available at Wailuku Municipal Garage after 6 p.m. […]
Tiger Shark Attacks Kayak Off Olowalu Coast on West Maui
A couple kayaking near Olowalu encountered a tiger shark that grabbed and shook their kayak, leaving bite marks but no injuries. The incident highlights ongoing shark safety concerns in popular water activity areas. Tiger shark attacked a kayak about one mile off Olowalu on Maui’s western shore, grabbing and violently shaking the vessel. The shark […]
Merriman’s Kapalua Highlighted as Top Special Occasion Dining Destination
A travel blogger recommends Merriman’s Kapalua as one of Maui’s top two restaurants for special occasion dining, praising its oceanfront setting and Hawaiian fusion cuisine. Merriman’s Kapalua is recommended alongside Mama’s Fish House as the island’s premier special occasion restaurant. The restaurant offers both formal dining and casual lanai seating with first-come-first-serve policy. Located waterfront […]
Tiger Shark Attacks Kayak Off Maui’s Olowalu Coast
A couple kayaking near Olowalu experienced a close encounter with a tiger shark that grabbed and shook their kayak, leaving bite marks on the vessel. Both kayakers made it safely back to shore. Tiger shark attacked a kayak about one mile off Olowalu on Maui’s western shore, leaving visible bite marks. The shark appeared longer […]
National Guard Ends Multi-Month Storm Recovery Operations Across Islands
The Hawaii National Guard concluded its statewide response to severe March and April 2026 Kona Low storms on May 22, after deploying up to 500 personnel for rescues, damage assessments, and recovery operations across all islands including Maui. Guard conducted 68 damage assessments on Maui County including aerial surveys of Molokai for the mayor. Three […]
Maui County Advances $30M Tax Increase on Short-Term Rentals
Maui County Council moved forward with plans to increase property taxes by $30 million, targeting short-term rentals, non-owner-occupied homes, and timeshares while reducing taxes on owner-occupied and long-term rental properties. Maui County Council approved a $30 million property tax increase affecting short-term rentals, non-owner-occupied homes, timeshares, and some bed-and-breakfast properties. The plan reduces taxes on […]