Waihee Structure Fire Contained After Morning Response
Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency issued two alerts on July 30, 2026 regarding a structure fire in the Waihee area. Multiple official notices confirmed the fire was reported at 8:43 AM near 3500 Kahekili Highway and was fully contained by 10:51 AM, with no evacuations ordered. A structure fire was reported at approximately 8:43 AM […]
Maui Council Advances Transparency Bill, Gets TAT Collection System Update
A Maui County Council committee unanimously approved a bill requiring the county to disclose funding restrictions when repurposing county-owned land, while also receiving an update on a planned overhaul of the transient accommodations tax collection system. Bill 81-2025 passed its first reading 9-0, requiring the county to disclose any funding source restrictions when proposing a […]
East Maui Water Outage on Wailua Road Affects 31 Homes for ~4 Hours
A mainline break on Wailua Road in East Maui caused an emergency water service outage on July 30, starting at 8:30 a.m. and lasting approximately four hours. About 31 residences were affected. Emergency repairs on a mainline break triggered the outage beginning at 8:30 a.m. on July 30. Approximately 31 residences and 12 standpipes/hydrants lost […]
Maui County Eyes Desalination to Address Water Shortages in West and South Maui
Maui County’s Department of Water Supply is holding public meetings in August to explore desalination as a solution to growing water demand in West and South Maui. Current supplies are already strained, with West Maui peak demand exceeding reliable supply by over 40%. Public meetings on desalination are scheduled for Aug. 5 in Kihei and […]
Maui Ocean Center Hosts Free Documentary Screening on Mā’alaea Bay Restoration
Maui Ocean Center will screen a free documentary about community-led efforts to restore Mā’alaea Bay on August 13, 2026. A public Q&A with local scientists and organizations follows, including discussion of a proposed regional wastewater facility. The free screening takes place August 13, 2026 at Maui Ocean Center’s Sphere Theater in Mā’alaea — reservations required […]
Makawao Avenue Weekend Road Closures Run Through Late August
Maui County’s Department of Public Works is closing both lanes of Makawao Avenue on select weekends through Aug. 23 for Phase 3 of a road reconstruction project. Weekday single-lane closures also continue during work hours. Full weekend road closures (6 a.m. Saturday to 6:30 p.m. Sunday) affect Makawao Avenue between Makani Road and Maha Road […]
Maui County Holds Lahaina Recovery Meeting Aug. 12 With Fraud, Housing Updates
Maui County’s monthly Lahaina Community Meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2026, at Lahaina Intermediate School, shifted from its usual first-Wednesday slot to mark the wildfire’s three-year anniversary. Topics include contractor fraud warnings, the Lahaina Bypass extension, affordable housing reconstruction, and county recovery updates. The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12 […]
Maui Wildfire Rebuild Program Expands Income Eligibility, Extends Deadline to Dec. 2026
Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou rebuilding assistance programs now cover more homeowners after a federal AMI update raised the income threshold, and the application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026. An informational open house is scheduled for August 20 in Kahului. Maui County’s base Area Median Income rose from $110,000 to $121,400 in May […]
Maui Council Advances Plan to Rezone ~2,056 Vacation Rental Units as Hotels
The Maui County Council voted to advance two resolutions that would move roughly 2,056 vacation rental units into new hotel zoning districts, allowing them to keep operating under Bill 9. The proposals must still pass through the Maui Planning Commission and receive additional approvals before taking effect. Two resolutions (26-110 and 26-111) passed the Council […]
Audubon Society Urges Pueo Protections in Lahaina Bypass Road Study
The National Audubon Society has asked state transportation officials to include a biological review of the Hawaiian short-eared owl (pueo) as part of planning for a Lahaina Bypass connector road near Wahikuli Gulch. The group supports the bypass project but wants wildlife considerations built into the design and construction schedule. A proposed connector road between […]