Maui Council Candidate Konohia: Bill 9 ‘Rushed,’ Supports Phaseout of STRs
Randy Konohia, a candidate for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat on the Maui County Council, says Bill 9’s vacation rental phaseout had good intentions but was implemented too hastily, creating uncertainty for owners and workers. He supports prioritizing housing for local residents over short-term rental profits. Konohia acknowledges Bill 9 — which phases out vacation rentals in […]
Four Seasons Wailea Draws Visitors Thanks to ‘White Lotus’ Tourism Buzz
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea continues to attract guests drawn by its role as the filming location for Season 1 of HBO’s ‘White Lotus.’ The show’s popularity has kept the property and surrounding Wailea area in the spotlight for travel media. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea served as the primary filming […]
Front Street Reopens to Traffic August 1 in Lahaina Recovery Milestone
Maui County has announced Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, nearly three years after the 2023 wildfires destroyed the historic commercial corridor. Several businesses, including the rebuilt Kimo’s restaurant and ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, are returning as part of the ongoing recovery. Front Street reopens to vehicular traffic August 1, with […]
Maui Surf Outlook: High Surf Advisory Possible Monday–Tuesday
South swell conditions are expected to build significantly this weekend into early next week, with potential High Surf Advisory levels Monday and Tuesday. A secondary south-southwest swell is forecast to arrive Thursday, keeping surf elevated through next weekend. A moderate south swell is forecast to build Sunday through early next week, potentially reaching High Surf […]
103 Displaced Lahaina Residents Return Home for 3-Day Healing Event
Multiple outlets reported that more than 100 former Lahaina residents displaced by the August 2023 wildfire returned to West Maui this weekend for the inaugural Lahaina Homecoming, a free three-day event running July 17–19 focused on community healing and reconnection. Organized by Festivals of Aloha in partnership with Maui County, the event was open to […]
Lahaina Rebuild Stalls: Only 220 Homes Done, Zero Businesses Reopened
Nearly three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, rebuilding remains extremely slow, with only 220 homes completed and no destroyed businesses yet rebuilt. State and county permitting, zoning, and historic-preservation rules are cited as major obstacles. Only 220 houses have been rebuilt in Lahaina, with many vacant lots still remaining nearly three years after the […]
Hawaii Tourism Recovery Still Ongoing as Lahaina Rebuilds and Visitor Awareness Urged
Maui and Oahu continue recovering from wildfires and floods, with 427 housing units completed in Lahaina as of January 2026 and hundreds more expected. Travelers are being encouraged to visit responsibly while respecting communities still in active recovery. Maui County reported 427 completed housing units in Lahaina by January 2026, with 600+ more affordable and […]
South Kihei Road Closure Hits Month Four, Businesses Report 50% Sales Drop
A sinkhole-caused closure of South Kihei Road near Kamaʻole Beach Park II has entered its fourth month, with local businesses reporting sales down 30–50% and some shutting permanently. County repairs are slightly ahead of schedule, with reopening targeted for late August. South Kihei Road has been closed since March after Kona Low storms caused a […]
Front Street Reopens Aug. 1 as Lahaina Homecoming Marks Recovery Milestone
Multiple sources report that Lahaina’s Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, 2026, following the completion of post-wildfire repairs and improvements announced by the Maui County Office of Recovery. The reopening coincides with the Lahaina Homecoming event, a three-day community celebration held July 17–19 that brought more than 100 displaced residents back […]
Wailea Golf Courts Family Travelers as U.S. Golf Participation Surges
Multiple outlets report on Wailea Golf’s growing appeal as a family-friendly destination, set against a backdrop of record U.S. golf participation. The National Golf Foundation notes the sport’s participant base has grown 41% over the past six years, with family play identified as a key driver of that growth. More than 48 million Americans age […]