Nonprofit Launches Free Rain Catchment Program for 120 West Maui Fire-Affected Homes
The Hua Momona Foundation is distributing free, portable rain catchment systems and training to 120 West Maui households as part of its ongoing Lahaina wildfire recovery efforts. The renter-friendly kits are funded by a Hawaiʻi Community Foundation grant and are designed to support water resilience and backyard food production. 120 West Maui households will receive […]
Maui Council Ties Apartment-to-Hotel Rezoning Eligibility to Sea-Level-Rise Zones
The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 5-4 to use sea-level-rise exposure data as a key factor in deciding which apartment-zoned vacation rental properties qualify for hotel-district rezoning. The committee will reconvene September 9 to continue deliberations. A 5-4 committee vote adopted criteria linking hotel-district rezoning eligibility to how far a property […]
Four Seasons Wailea Opens Hawaiian Royal Heritage Garden for Guests
The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has unveiled ‘The Queen’s Garden: Uluhaimalama,’ a botanical courtyard honoring Queen Lili’uokalani developed with Hawaiian cultural practitioners. The self-guided experience features six educational stations and plants historically connected to the monarch. The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has opened a new permanent cultural attraction in its interior courtyard honoring […]
West Maui Nonprofit Distributes Free Rain Catchment Kits to 120 Homes
Hua Momona Foundation, funded by the Maui Strong Fund, is providing free rainwater catchment systems to 120 West Maui households as part of a post-fire resilience initiative. The portable, renter-friendly kits include equipment, soil amendments, and hands-on installation training. The Rain to Resilience program will distribute free rainwater catchment kits — including barrels, irrigation parts, […]
Maui County Extends Deadline for Wildfire Recovery Grant Applications
The County of Maui has pushed back the application deadline for two HUD-funded wildfire recovery grant programs to October 8, 2026. The grants support workforce development and public services for organizations helping residents recover from the 2023 Maui wildfires. The new application deadline for both Hoʻokumu Hou grant programs is 5 p.m. on October 8, […]
Lahaina Survivors Lose Hundreds of Thousands to Contractor Fraud, No Charges Filed
Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors report losing large sums to contractors who abandoned projects or misused funds, yet no criminal charges, license revocations, or fines have been issued. Maui County prosecutors say they are actively investigating and are urging victims to come forward. Survivors report contractors taking hundreds of thousands of dollars then stopping work […]
Makawao Forest Reserve Remains Closed After Hurricane Lala Trail Damage
Hawaii Public Radio reported that Makawao State Forest Reserve — Maui’s most popular local recreation area — remains closed following severe damage from Hurricane Lala last month. State crews are working to restore access, but officials warn closures could continue for an extended period with no firm reopening date set. Makawao State Forest Reserve, spanning […]
Four Seasons Wailea Opens Hawaiian Cultural Garden Honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani
Multiple outlets reported that Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has unveiled The Queen’s Garden: Uluhaimalama, a new cultural experience in the resort’s interior courtyard dedicated to Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch. The self-guided experience was developed with Hawaiian cultural practitioners and kumu, and is open to guests as well as the broader community. The Queen’s […]
Contractor Fraud Draining Lahaina Rebuild Funds, No Criminal Cases Filed
Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors since the 2023 fire. Despite at least 10 police reports and multiple state complaints, no criminal charges, fines, or license revocations have been issued. Individual homeowners have lost between $20,000 and $650,000 to contractors who abandoned projects or […]
Hāna Highway Runner Event Sept. 12 May Slow Guest Travel
About 450 runners in 75 teams will run along Hāna Highway from Kahului to Hāna on Saturday, Sept. 12, starting at 5 a.m. and officially ending at 2:15 p.m. No lane closures are planned, but drivers should expect runners along the shoulder throughout the day. The Hāna Relay will take place along Hāna Highway on […]