Maui County Takes Over State Wildfire Case Management Program
The Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program has shifted from state to county leadership, with Maui County now coordinating recovery support for wildfire survivors. A key focus will be preparing residents for the end of FEMA Temporary Housing Assistance in February 2027. Gov. Green and Mayor Bissen announced the program transition from the Hawaii Dept. of […]
Potential Tropical System Could Threaten Maui by Next Weekend
Scattered showers are expected on Maui Sunday, while a tropical wave southeast of Hawaii has an 80% chance of development and may approach the islands next weekend. Models are split on the track, so residents should monitor forecasts closely. Windward and mauka areas of Maui face the best chance of showers Sunday, with some heavier […]
Lahaina Marks Three Years Since Wildfires with Community Remembrance Event
Multiple sources reported on the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires, which killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of structures in Lahaina. Maui County hosted a free all-day community gathering called ‘Kuhinia Maui’ on August 8, 2026, bringing together residents for music, cultural activities, and reflection. The event signaled continued […]
Tropical Depression Threatens Hawaii With Rain, Flooding, and Winds This Weekend
Tropical Depression Two-C is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane as it tracks toward the Hawaiian Islands late this week. Heavy rainfall, flooding, mudslides, and wind and wave impacts are expected to affect Maui Sunday into Monday. The system is expected to gradually strengthen to a high-end tropical storm or […]
Maui Council Delays Vote on Hotel Rezoning for ~2,500 Apartment Units
A Maui County Council committee recessed without voting on two resolutions that would rezone additional apartment-district properties into hotel districts, continuing the process of carving out exceptions to Bill 9’s vacation rental phase-out. The committee will resume testimony on August 19. The two paused resolutions (26-129 and 26-130) are part of a four-measure effort that […]
Kahului Town Hall Aug. 12 to Cover Central Maui Plan & Hurricane Prep
Maui County Council Member Kauanoe Batangan is hosting a public town hall on August 12 in Kahului covering the updated Central Maui Community Plan and hurricane preparedness. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Kahului Elementary School and includes a Q&A session. The Central Maui Community Plan is a comprehensive 20-year update to the 2002 […]
Appeals Court Sends Honua’ula Development Back for Environmental Review
Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that the Maui Planning Commission must reconsider whether significant changes to the Honua’ula development near Wailea require an updated environmental impact statement. The project’s affordable housing and market-rate unit counts have shifted multiple times since its original 2008 approval. The court found the Maui Planning Commission failed to properly […]
PACs Pour $900K+ Into Maui Races Where STR Policy Is Central Issue
Political action committees have directed more than $900,000 toward Maui mayoral and council races this election cycle, more than double any other county. The future of short-term vacation rentals has been a defining issue driving the political spending. Maui received roughly half of the $1.5 million PACs and super PACs spent on neighbor island county […]
HEI Posts $123M Q2 Profit Driven by Wildfire Settlement Accounting Shift
Multiple sources report that Hawaiian Electric Industries posted a $123 million second-quarter profit for 2026, largely due to a noncash accounting adjustment tied to the Maui wildfire settlement. The boost stemmed from remeasuring the company’s remaining settlement obligations to present value after the $4 billion settlement received final court approval, reducing the recorded liability by […]
South Kihei Road Near Kamaole II to Reopen Aug. 11, Ahead of Schedule
Maui County will reopen the storm-damaged stretch of South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park on August 11, 2026, earlier than the originally projected fall completion date. Repairs were federally funded and addressed damage to the roadway, drainage, waterline, and surrounding infrastructure caused by a March Kona low. South Kihei Road near Kamaole II […]