Emergency Water Repairs Cut Service to 100 Upcountry Properties Friday Night
Water service was interrupted for approximately 4-5 hours starting 8:35 PM on May 23 in parts of Upcountry Maui due to emergency mainline repairs. About 100 residences in the Makawao Avenue area were affected. Emergency mainline break required 4-5 hour water service interruption starting 8:35 PM May 23. Outage affected area from Makawao Avenue to […]
Child Near-Drownings Spike, Wildfire Power Shutoffs Possible on Maui
Multiple sources report a significant increase in child drowning incidents statewide, while Hawaiian Electric warns of potential power shutoffs on Maui due to wildfire risk conditions. Emergency officials are urging heightened safety precautions for both water and fire hazards. Honolulu EMS has responded to 12 pediatric near-drownings so far this year involving children ages 2-9, […]
Federal Antitrust Case Targets Container Price-Fixing That Hit Supply Chains
Federal prosecutors indicted four major Chinese shipping container manufacturers and seven executives for conspiring to fix prices and restrict output from 2019-2024, roughly doubling container costs during the pandemic. The price-fixing conspiracy affected nearly all standard shipping containers worldwide and increased manufacturer profits by roughly 100 times during COVID-19. One executive was arrested in France […]
Young Brothers Gets Automatic 5% Annual Rate Hikes Despite Earlier Denials
Governor Green signed legislation allowing interisland shipper Young Brothers automatic annual rate increases up to 5% for three years, overriding utility regulators who had rejected the hikes. This follows a 25.75% rate increase in January. Young Brothers can now raise shipping rates up to 5% annually for the next three years automatically. The Public Utilities […]
Hawaii Pays $118K After Court Rules Political Speech Law Unconstitutional
Hawaii officials agreed to pay over $118,000 in legal fees after a federal court struck down a state law that restricted online political speech and satire. The state chose not to appeal the ruling and settled the case brought by The Babylon Bee and a Hawaii resident. A federal court ruled Hawaii’s law censoring online […]
New Honolulu Police Chief Selection Raises Questions About Background
David Lazar has been selected as Honolulu’s new police chief pending FBI background check and contract negotiations. Questions have been raised about his past role on the transition team for a recalled San Francisco prosecutor. David Lazar was selected as Honolulu Police Chief by a 5-2 commission vote on May 20, 2026. He must complete […]
Montgomery Council Member Attended Hawaii Conference During Budget Week
A Montgomery County Council member participated virtually in budget sessions while attending county association conferences in Maui. The trip’s funding source and appropriateness during critical budget deliberations is being questioned. Council Member Laurie-Anne Sayles attended National Association of Counties conferences in Maui during a critical county budget week in May. She participated virtually in budget […]
County Committee Approves Contested Kaʻehu Bay Land Purchase Despite Family Objections
Maui County Council committee voted 6-3 to advance a $480,000 purchase of Kaʻehu Bay shoreline property despite objections from a Native Hawaiian family claiming disputed ownership. The family requested deferral for further consultation on title issues. Committee approved buying 0.41-acre Kaʻehu Bay parcel from LDS Church for $480,000, below its $571,500 appraised value. Native Hawaiian […]
Celebrity Real Estate Investment Trends Shape Maui Property Market
High-profile celebrities and tech billionaires are increasingly purchasing luxury properties across Maui, with investments concentrated in areas like Haiku, Wailea, and Upcountry affecting the island’s real estate market dynamics. Celebrity buyers are focusing on specific neighborhoods including Haiku/Huelo for privacy, Wailea/Makena for luxury oceanfront properties, and Upcountry areas for pastoral settings. Properties in celebrity-favored areas […]
Heavy Rains Expected to Increase Maui Wildfire Risk as Vegetation Dries
Recent heavy rainfall across Hawaii has sparked vegetation growth that officials warn will become fire fuel when it dries out during expected drier fall conditions. Wildfire prevention efforts have expanded statewide since the 2023 Maui fires. Recent Kona Low rains triggered vegetation growth that will increase fire risk when it dries out this fall. Hawaii […]