Lahaina at Three Years: Buyout Offers, Slow Rebuilds, and Signs of Return
Multiple outlets marked the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire with assessments of where recovery stands, covering everything from a county buyout proposal for high-risk shoreline properties to expanded homeowner rebuilding assistance and the return of individual businesses. The overall picture reported across sources is one of uneven progress: some businesses and […]
Maui County Moves to Buy Two West Maui Water Systems for $6 Million
Multiple news outlets reported that a Maui County Council committee voted 7-1 on Tuesday to advance a resolution authorizing the county to spend up to $6 million to acquire two privately owned water systems in West Maui. The measure, which covers the Launiupoko and Olowalu water systems south of Lahaina, now heads to the full […]
Overnight Water Shutoff & Road Closure Planned for Makawao Ave Area Aug 5–6
Maui County will cut water service and close Makawao Avenue overnight on August 5–6 for repair work. The outage runs from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and affects roughly 50 residences in the Makawao area. Water service will be out from 10 p.m. August 5 to 4 a.m. August 6 for Apana Road, Poalima Place, […]
Lahaina Fire Survivors Face Bureaucratic Hurdles in County Homebuyer Program
Nearly 700 Lahaina fire survivor households remain in FEMA housing assistance as of mid-2026, with many applicants to Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Program experiencing repeated documentation requests and delays. FEMA’s housing assistance, previously set to expire in February 2026, was extended through February 2027. Nearly 700 fire survivor households are still relying on […]
Global Climate Migration Study Uses Maui Fire Survivors as Case Example
A republished analysis of climate-driven migration worldwide features a Maui wildfire evacuee still displaced in Kihei more than two years after the 2023 fires. The broader article examines how extreme weather events are forcing large-scale population shifts globally. A Maui fire survivor photographed in March 2026 remains displaced in a converted hotel room in Kihei, […]
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Detections Spread in Central Maui
Multiple dead coconut rhinoceros beetles have been found in Kahului and Waikapū since June 2026, raising concern about a possible breeding population on Maui. Authorities are urging property owners to inspect and properly dispose of green waste, compost, and mulch. Ten dead CRB adults were found in Central Maui traps and treated palm trees in […]
South Maui’s Līpoa Community Breaks Ground on Roads, Water, and Housing
Pacific Rim Land is advancing infrastructure at Līpoa, a 400-acre mixed-use development in South Maui, ahead of planned groundbreakings on 122 homes and 175 affordable apartments later this year. Work includes a new highway connection, recycled water lines, and stormwater retention basins. A nearly one-mile Hoʻokena Street extension will create a second direct access point […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire, Frustration and Hope Mark the Recovery
Multiple Hawaii Public Radio reports mark the three-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire, capturing the ongoing struggles of residents and the federal response. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Lahaina for the July 2026 Lahaina Homecoming and spoke about coordinating with state and county officials on rebuilding efforts, while residents like Mikey Burke described the emotional […]
Maui Wildfire Rebuild Program Expands Eligibility, Extends Application Deadline
Multiple Maui County sources report that the Hoʻokumu Hou reconstruction and reimbursement program has broadened its income eligibility thresholds following a HUD update to Area Median Income figures. The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2026, and an informational open house is scheduled for August 20 in Kahului. Maui County’s base Area Median […]
East Maui Water Authority Opens $150K Grant Round for Watershed Projects
Maui County’s East Maui Water Authority is accepting grant applications from Aug. 12 to Oct. 1, 2026, with $150,000 available for projects supporting watershed restoration, education, and cultural knowledge-sharing in East Maui communities. A total of $150,000 in grants is available for FY2027, targeting projects in Huelo, Honomanū, Keʻanae, and Nāhiku. Eligible projects include watershed […]