Maui Sees 25% Drop in International Visitors Amid STR Rules and Rising Costs

Coastal golf course with a green fairway, a large white sand bunker in the foreground, and the sea and hills under a cloudy sky.

Maui’s tourism recovery has stalled in 2026, with international visitor numbers down 25% as new short-term rental restrictions and higher travel costs reshape the visitor mix. Early 2026 showed strong domestic arrivals, but structural policy changes and global inflation have offset those gains. International visitor arrivals to Maui dropped 25% in 2026, attributed to new […]

No Luggage Storage at OGG: What Arriving Guests Need to Know

OGG - kahului airport, maui — No Luggage Storage at OGG: What Arriving Guests Need to Know | Maui Tom's News

Kahului Airport has no on-site luggage lockers or baggage storage facilities, leaving arriving travelers to rely on hotel bell desks or third-party storage providers a short drive away. Understanding this gap can help property owners set guest expectations and improve the arrival experience. Kahului Airport (OGG) has no public luggage lockers or baggage storage inside […]

Hurricane Lala Leaves Maui With Power Outages, Downed Trees, and Debris Cleanup

Looking up through tall bamboo stalks toward the bright green canopy above.

Multiple outlets reported that Hurricane Lala, which passed south of the Hawaiian islands as a Category 1 storm on Saturday, caused significant disruption on Maui including widespread power outages, downed trees, and communication failures. While the Big Island bore the brunt of the storm, Maui experienced winds up to 70 mph, property damage, and road […]

Three Years Out: Only 25% of Lahaina Homes Rebuilt, Full Recovery Still Years Away

A large blue ocean wave curling upward at sunset with pink-orange clouds in the sky behind it.

A data analysis of Maui County building permits finds roughly one quarter of single-family homes destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fire have been rebuilt, with full recovery potentially still four years away. Multi-family construction is further along at 38% completion, though the majority of those units stem from a single pre-fire development. About 25% of […]

Pukalani Church Opens Transitional Housing Village for Lahaina Fire Survivors

Sunset over a calm beach with pink sand, a rocky hill on the left, and distant islands on the horizon.

A small Upcountry Maui church has built four furnished two-bedroom homes on its campus to provide transitional housing for Lahaina fire survivors, funded by $660,000 from the Maui Strong Fund and other donors. The program offers free rent for the first three months, with costs gradually increasing, and is open to non-congregation members. Pukalani Community […]

Maui Wind Farm Turns to Dogs and Pheromones to Protect Native Geese

O'o Farm Kula Maui — Maui Wind Farm Turns to Dogs and Pheromones to Protect Native Geese | Maui Tom's News

A 20-turbine wind farm on Maui is testing airport-style deterrent dogs and pheromones to reduce fatal interactions with endangered Hawaiian geese (nēnē). The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has adjusted the project’s permitted take limits for protected species as a result. The Kaheawa Wind Power facility on Maui is working with state wildlife […]

Ulupalakua Water Outage: Crews Working to Restore Service

Calm beach turquoise water — Ulupalakua Water Outage: Crews Working to Restore Service | Maui Tom's News

An emergency mainline break has disrupted water service in the Ulupalakua area, with residents and businesses experiencing low to no water pressure. County crews are on site making repairs, and portable water tanks have been stationed near the general store. A mainline break in Ulupalakua has caused a water service outage with no confirmed restoration […]

99th Maui County Fair Parade Set for Oct. 1; Entry Deadline Sept. 1

Sentry Tournament of Champions Kapalua Maui golf — 99th Maui County Fair Parade Set for Oct. 1; Entry Deadline Sept. 1 | Maui Tom's News

Multiple sources report that the 99th Maui County Fair Parade is scheduled for October 1, 2026, with a registration deadline of noon on September 1. The annual event, presented by Maui Land & Pineapple Company and supported by the County of Maui, draws residents and visitors together for four days of food, entertainment, and culture. […]

OGG to Kaanapali Transfer Options: What Guests Are Using in 2026

OGG - kahului airport, maui — OGG to Kaanapali Transfer Options: What Guests Are Using in 2026 | Maui Tom's News

A current guide outlines the main transportation options for visitors traveling from Kahului Airport to Kaanapali, covering rental cars, rideshares, shuttles, taxis, and public transit. The roughly 26–28 mile route takes 45–50 minutes in normal traffic, but can run longer during peak hours or road incidents. The standard OGG-to-Kaanapali route runs 26–28 miles along Haleakala […]

Maui Road Closures Update: Most Routes Reopen After Storm Damage

Eucalyptus tree lined road — Maui Road Closures Update: Most Routes Reopen After Storm Damage | Maui Tom's News

Maui County issued multiple road closure updates on August 17, 2026, following storm-related tree and electrical line damage across the island. Two affected roadways have fully reopened, while one remains partially restricted. These updates were reported across three separate Maui County public alerts. Iao Valley Road has reopened after being closed due to downed trees […]