West Maui Restaurant Alternative to Popular Gazebo Offers Better Views
A travel blogger recommends Sea House Restaurant at Napili Kai Beach Resort as an alternative to the crowded Gazebo, citing better beach views and shorter wait times. Sea House Restaurant at Napili Kai Beach Resort offers oceanfront dining with full beach views, unlike the Gazebo’s limited window views. The restaurant typically has shorter wait times […]
Hawaii Visitor Spending Rises 4.8% in April Despite Fewer Tourist Arrivals
Hawaii tourism data for April 2026 shows a positive financial trend despite slightly fewer visitors. Both the state government and Hawaii Free Press reported that while visitor arrivals decreased marginally, increased daily spending per person drove overall tourism revenue growth. Total visitor spending reached $1.77 billion in April 2026, up 4.8% from the same month […]
Hua Momona Foundation to Host Global Sustainability Conference on Maui
The Hua Momona Foundation will hold its first RISE Maui sustainability summit August 17-21 at Hyatt Regency Maui and Hua Momona Farms. The event brings together global leaders and local community members to discuss environmental stewardship, innovation, and cultural preservation. The five-day summit takes place at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Hua Momona Farms in […]
Two Long-Standing Maui Businesses Honored at Japanese Cultural Festival
NAPA Auto Parts and Restaurant Matsu received business awards at the 24th annual Maui Matsuri for their decades of community service and commitment to local values. NAPA Auto Parts has served Maui for 79 years, growing from one Wailuku store to seven island locations under family ownership. Restaurant Matsu has provided Japanese cuisine for over […]
OHA Trustees Reject Proposal to Purchase KITV and KIKU Television Stations
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees voted against funding due diligence for purchasing local TV stations KITV and KIKU. The board cited concerns about the investment while acknowledging potential benefits for Native Hawaiian media representation. OHA trustees declined to advance a proposal to purchase KITV Island News and KIKU TV stations. The board […]
MLP Hires New Cultural Director to Guide Land Stewardship Efforts
Maui Land & Pineapple Company appointed Oralani Koa as Director of Cultural & Community Engagement to integrate Hawaiian cultural perspectives into the company’s land stewardship and community relations. Oralani Koa was named to the newly created Director of Cultural & Community Engagement position at Maui Land & Pineapple Company. Koa previously managed cultural programming at […]
County Committee Approves Hotel Zones That Could Save Some Phased-Out STRs
Maui County’s housing committee voted 6-1 to create new hotel zones that would allow some vacation rentals affected by last year’s phase-out to continue operating. The measure now goes to the full council for final approval. Bill 88 creates two new hotel zone designations that could allow STRs phased out under Bill 9 to continue […]
Hawaii Counties Gain New Regulatory Authority Over Short-Term Rentals
Hawaii has implemented new framework changes affecting short-term rental operators, giving local counties expanded regulatory control over STR operations. Hawaii has moved forward with regulatory framework changes that hand a ‘regulatory kill switch’ to local counties for short-term rental oversight. The changes are part of broader 2026 short-term rental law updates affecting operators across multiple […]
Bail reform changes in Hawaii discussed by industry professional
A Hawaii bail industry veteran discusses concerns about proposed changes to the state’s bail system that could lead to broader release policies. The conversation examines how bail practices have evolved and current reform efforts. Hawaii District Courts currently limit holding misdemeanor suspects to no more than 72 hours. Out of 20,000 HPD arrests, only 23-46 […]
Western Wildfire Study Shows Fewer But More Destructive Blazes
A new study found 31% fewer wildfires in the American West from 2007-2020 compared to 1992-2006, but the total burned area increased by 40% as individual fires grew much larger and more destructive. Large fires over 25,000 acres increased by 63%, while mega-fires over 125,000 acres jumped 136%. Natural wildfires burned 84% more area due […]