Oahu Woman Sues City Over $600K Fine for Accidental STR Advertisement
An 83-year-old Oahu property owner is challenging $600,000 in fines from Honolulu for accidentally advertising her rental as a short-term rental due to platform errors. The case highlights enforcement of the city’s 2019 law that allows daily fines up to $10,000 just for advertising illegal STRs. Honolulu can fine property owners up to $10,000 per […]
Maui County Mayor Travels to Pennsylvania, California for Week-Long Trip
Mayor Richard Bissen will be out of state May 30-June 7 for military and mayors’ conferences, with Managing Director Josiah Nishita serving as acting mayor. Mayor Bissen will be away from Maui for eight days attending conferences on the mainland. Managing Director Josiah Nishita will serve as acting mayor during the absence. The mayor will […]
Congressional Candidate Arrested After County Building Incident in Wailuku
A congressional candidate was arrested for terroristic threatening after allegedly entering a county building with a firearm and having a verbal altercation with employees. The incident followed his removal from a town hall meeting two days earlier. Kirill Basin, a 40-year-old congressional candidate, allegedly entered a Wailuku county building while brandishing a firearm on May […]
Maryland Official Used Public Funds for Maui Conference Trip
A Maryland county council member attended conferences in Maui using some taxpayer funding, despite staff concerns about eligibility. The trip occurred during budget deliberations in her home jurisdiction. Montgomery County Council Member Laurie-Anne Sayles traveled to Maui for NACO and NOBCO conferences in early May. Council staff initially denied reimbursement for the Western Interstate conference, […]
State Plans Infrastructure Upgrades at Mākena State Park Beaches
The state is proposing upgrades to Mākena State Park including permanent restrooms, expanded parking, and showers, but some locals worry the changes will alter the area’s wild character and lead to future restrictions. Proposed upgrades include expanding paved parking, replacing portable toilets with permanent bathrooms, and installing showers or foot rinsing stations. The $2.1 million […]
Hawaii Launches New Tourism Campaign to Rebuild Visitor Numbers
Hawaii is launching a new tourism campaign to attract visitors back after decreased demand following the 2023 Lahaina fires and recent spring weather disruptions. Officials say the islands are ready for tourists despite lingering perception issues. Hawaii tourism demand has declined due to the 2023 Maui fires and March 2024 Kona Low storms that caused […]
Maui Artist Lily Meola Releases New Single Ahead of Summer Album
Maui-born country artist Lily Meola has released “You and I,” the latest single from her upcoming debut album “Lucky to Be” due this summer. The album reflects on themes of existence and celebrates her Hawaii heritage. Meola’s debut album “Lucky to Be” will be released this summer through Nettwerk Music Group. The new single “You […]
Kula Nonprofit Hosts Community History Event June 1
Mālama Kula will hold a community potluck on June 1 featuring a talk on local history. The nonprofit formed after the 2023 Kula fire and has completed over 35,000 hours of community recovery work. The event features Rose Medeiros speaking about Holy Ghost Church and Waiakoa history from 5-7 p.m. at 40 Kualono Place. Mālama […]
Maui Sisters’ Music Nonprofit Expands Shows to Honolulu Care Facilities
A Maui-based nonprofit called Keiki Kupuna, founded by teenage sisters, performs music for elderly residents at care facilities and is expanding their shows to Honolulu in June. Sisters Bobby and Cassie Goldyn founded Keiki Kupuna after witnessing how music helped their grandmother in hospice care. The nonprofit offers monthly musical performances at senior centers throughout […]
Hawaii Emergency Sirens Testing Monday June 1 at 11:45 AM
The state will test emergency warning sirens statewide on Monday, June 1 at 11:45 AM for one minute. Property owners should expect to hear the alert signal as part of the monthly safety system test. Emergency sirens will sound for one minute at 11:45 AM on June 1 as part of monthly testing. The test […]