Lahaina Community Land Trust Secures $15M County Investment to Shield Homes from Speculation
The Lahaina Community Land Trust, formed after the 2023 wildfire, has secured $15 million from Maui County in its first fiscal year to permanently protect properties for fire survivors and long-term residents. The model aims to prevent outside investors from buying up Lahaina land by holding it in trust for the community indefinitely. The Lahaina […]
Timeshare Owners at 7 Maui Resorts Seek Exits After T+L Acquisition
Travel + Leisure Co. acquired Yes& Vacations and its management arm, affecting seven Maui timeshare resorts. Many interval owners are confused about what changed and some are desperate to exit their ownership, with no easy path to do so. Seven Maui timeshare resorts are now under the Travel + Leisure Co. umbrella after its acquisition […]
Kaanapali Beach Sand Restoration Plan Draws Community Pushback
A privately funded project to pump 75,000 cubic yards of offshore sand onto Kaanapali Beach is moving forward but facing significant community opposition. Critics question whether the 20-year fix addresses root causes or delays more permanent solutions. The Kaanapali Beach Restoration Project would dredge offshore sand near Black Rock and deposit it at Canoe Beach […]
2026 Maui Invitational Bracket Set for Nov. 23–25 at Lahaina Civic Center
Multiple sports outlets reported that the full bracket for the 2026 Southwest Maui Invitational has been announced, with eight college basketball teams competing November 23–25 at the Lahaina Civic Center. The tournament features BYU, Washington, Ole Miss, Clemson, Arizona, Colorado State, Providence, and VCU, with all 12 games televised on ESPN networks. The 2026 Southwest […]
Hawaii Awards $1.8M in Wildfire Mitigation Grants, Including Two Maui Projects
Multiple sources report that Hawaii has awarded $1.8 million in wildfire mitigation grants to eight organizations across five islands through the 2026 Hawaii Urban Interface (HUI) Wildfire Grant Program. The announcement coincides with the peak of fire season and falls just before the third anniversary of the 2023 Maui wildfires. Two Maui-area organizations are among […]
Kaanapali Beach Sand Restoration Project Advances Through State Permitting
Multiple outlets report that a proposal to restore eroding Kaanapali Beach by redistributing offshore sand along the West Maui shoreline is progressing through Hawaii’s state permitting process. The project, backed by the Pilikahakai Foundation and Ka’anapali Operations Association, would return the beach to roughly its 1988 profile and is privately funded. The plan faces some […]
UHERO Study: Lahaina Survivors Show Progress but Mental Health Concerns Persist
A new UHERO study tracking 2,000 Lahaina wildfire survivors finds improvements in employment, housing stability, and insurance coverage three years after the fire. However, researchers warn recovery remains ‘fragile,’ with depression and PTSD still widespread — especially among children. Employment among survivors rose from 62% to 80.9% and health insurance coverage increased from 85.1% to […]
Lahaina United Methodist Church Rebuilds Three Years After Deadly Wildfire
Three years after the 2023 Maui wildfires, Lahaina is still in the midst of recovery with homes under construction and permits in process. A local United Methodist congregation is highlighting how community and volunteer efforts are contributing to the broader rebuilding effort. Maui’s wildfire recovery continues to be measured in years, not months, with homes […]
Maui Now Faces Transport Restrictions to Curb Invasive Beetle Spread
The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity has approved new rules restricting the movement of plant materials to Maui and Lanai to slow the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, which was recently detected again on Maui after a 2023 airport sighting. The invasive pest has now been found on every main Hawaiian island. Interisland […]
New State Rule Bans Most Plant Material Shipments to Maui and Lānai
Hawaii’s Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity has enacted Interim Rule 26-2, effective July 29, 2026, prohibiting the transport of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials — including compost, mulch, wood chips, and most live plants — from other Hawaiian islands to Maui and Lānai. The rule aims to prevent the spread of the invasive coconut rhinoceros […]