South Kihei Road Near Kamaole II Reopens Ahead of Schedule
Maui County reopened a storm-damaged 150-foot stretch of South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park on August 11, 2026, completing repairs earlier than the original fall timeline. The project addressed extensive underground infrastructure damage caused by a March Kona low storm. South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park reopened to traffic on August […]
Hawaii’s 2026–2028 Plan Targets Road to Hana, Honolua Bay, and Kaupo
Hawaii released its island-by-island Destination Management Action Plans for 2026–2028, with Maui’s focusing on safety improvements along the Piilani Highway, better visitor flow on the Road to Hana, and a potential reservation-and-shuttle system at Honolua Bay. A fatal accident site at Mile Marker 36 on Piilani Highway is flagged for hazard signage, speed treatments, and […]
Three Years Later: A Third of Lahaina’s Eateries Have Reopened or Are Trying To
A new survey of 91 Lahaina food and beverage businesses destroyed or disrupted by the August 2023 wildfire finds more than three dozen have reopened, though many relocated outside Lahaina. Progress is slow, and some businesses that had reopened have since closed again. Of 91 tracked Lahaina restaurants, bars, and food trucks, more than 36 […]
Free Monthly Lahaina Community Healing Event Returns Aug. 15
The Maui ERC’s Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays event returns August 15 at Lahaina United Methodist Church, offering cultural activities, local vendors, support services, and live entertainment. The free monthly gathering is designed to support Lahaina residents affected by the 2023 wildfires. The free event runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at Lahaina […]
Water Quality Monitoring Resumes at Mākena Landing Amid Rising Tourism Use
A volunteer coastal monitoring program has restarted regular water quality testing at Mākena Landing after a multi-year pause, citing increased construction runoff and a surge in commercial ocean tour operators relocating to the site. Tests will occur every three weeks. Hui O Ka Wai Ola has resumed water quality testing at Mākena Landing for the […]
Tropical Storm Lala Threatens Maui This Weekend — Prepare Now
Multiple sources, including Maui County’s emergency management agency and national weather outlets, are reporting that a developing tropical system has a 90% chance of becoming a cyclone and is expected to reach Maui by Saturday. Maui County and the Big Island face the highest rainfall risk, and officials are urging residents and property owners to […]
Hāna Water Service Restored After Scheduled Morning Outage
A planned water shutoff affecting the Hāna Elementary School to Hāna Town area was completed and service restored by 10 a.m. on August 11, ahead of the scheduled 12:30 p.m. end time. Water service has been fully restored to the Hāna corridor as of 10 a.m. on August 11. The outage was a planned maintenance […]
Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Survivor Case Management from State
The Hawaii Department of Human Services has handed control of the Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program to Maui County, effective August 7, 2026. The transition is designed to strengthen local coordination as survivors prepare for the end of FEMA temporary housing assistance in February 2027. Maui County now leads the Disaster Case Management Program previously […]
Selenium Detected in South Maui Water System, Levels Deemed Safe
Multiple sources, including Maui County and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, report that trace levels of selenium were detected for the first time in the Wailuku water system serving Māʻalaea, Kīhei, Wailea, and Mākena. Health officials say the detected levels are well below federal and state safety limits and are unlikely to pose a public health risk. […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire, Commercial Rebuilding Lags Far Behind
Multiple sources, citing Grassroot Institute of Hawaii analyst Jonathan Helton, report that Lahaina’s recovery remains severely limited three years after the August 2023 wildfires. While roughly 220 homes have been rebuilt, non-residential and multifamily reconstruction has barely begun, with only 13 completed non-residential permits and fewer than 30 issued in total. The August 8, 2023 […]