Category: The Maui Brief

Wailea Point Condos Draw Steady Buyer Demand for Location and Value

Wailea Point, a gated oceanfront condo community on Maui’s southwest coast, continues to attract buyers ranging from full-time residents to investors, citing walkability, beach access, and long-term value retention. Units are noted for large floor plans, direct ocean views, and proximity to Wailea’s resort amenities. Wailea Point’s gated, low-density layout and oceanfront position near Polo […]

Maui County Seeks Public Input on First SMA Boundary Review Since 1970s

The Maui County Planning Department is holding five public meetings across the island to gather community input on redrawing the Special Management Area boundary, which hasn’t been reassessed since the 1970s. The review aims to modernize the boundary based on climate, environmental, and cultural factors while reducing permitting burdens. Five in-person meetings are scheduled island-wide […]

Maui Bicycling League Pushes to Unify $600M West Maui Transport Projects

The Maui Bicycling League is urging state and county officials to coordinate nearly $600 million in planned West Maui transportation projects — including highway realignments, a bypass, and a greenway — into a single connected network. The group says post-fire recovery presents a rare opportunity to modernize infrastructure for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. […]

Maui Gold Pineapple Survives Wildfire Loss, Grows Through Agritourism

Maui Gold Pineapple Company rebuilt after losing its Lahaina retail store in the 2023 wildfire by expanding farm tours and local sales. The company now harvests up to 40,000 pineapples weekly and employs 68 people. The Maui Pineapple Store in Lahaina was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire, but the company survived by leaning into […]

Hawaii Delegation Pushes USPS to Restore Home Mail Delivery in Rebuilt Lahaina

Hawaii’s Congressional delegation sent a formal letter demanding the U.S. Postal Service reverse its policy of treating rebuilt Lahaina homes as new developments, which has blocked residents from receiving direct mail delivery. The delegation also opposes a study that could permanently close the Downtown Lahaina Post Office. USPS has been routing mail to centralized community […]

Kula Hospital Storm Repairs Ongoing, No Reopening Timeline Set

Kula Hospital’s long-term care facility and emergency department remain closed following March Kona low storm damage, with no timetable announced for repairs or reopening. Displaced patients are being temporarily housed at other Maui facilities and on Oahu. Maui Health and the state are still assessing how to repair and reopen storm-damaged sections of Kula Hospital […]

Maui Mayoral Race Puts STR Phase-Out and Water Policy in Spotlight

Mayor Bissen and challenger Sugimura are heading to a November general election with sharply different views on Bill 9, which phases out thousands of short-term rentals. The makeup of the County Council — which will influence STR and water policy — is also being decided in the same election. Mayor Bissen supports Bill 9, already […]

Kuihelani Highway Brush Fire Contained After Afternoon Response

Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency issued two alerts covering a brush fire that broke out and was subsequently contained on September 17, 2026. Multiple official MEMA updates tracked the incident from its initial report through containment, providing guidance to residents throughout. A brush fire was reported at approximately 3:22 p.m. HST near Kuihelani Hwy & […]

Upcountry Maui Water Conservation Request in Effect Through Early November

Maui County is asking Upcountry Maui water customers to reduce usage while the Kamole Water Treatment Plant undergoes a 6–8 week membrane retrofit upgrade. Available treatment capacity will be temporarily reduced until the plant returns to service around early November. The Kamole Water Treatment Plant is offline for upgrades, reducing Upcountry Maui water system capacity […]

Lahaina Youth Ocean Nonprofit Seeks $18K to Repair Hurricane Damage

Kahākūkahi Ocean Academy, a Lahaina-based youth nonprofit, is fundraising $18,000 to repair classroom and solar panel damage caused by hurricanes Lala and Lowell. The organization aims to complete repairs before fall youth programs resume later this month. Hurricanes Lala and Lowell damaged KOA’s waterfront classroom, solar array, and outrigger canoe in Lahaina. Two anonymous donors […]