Hawaii's appellate court upheld a ruling that classifies individual Wailea Palms condo units as 'non-owner-occupied' rather than 'apartment' properties, resulting in higher property tax rates for owners.

• The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals rejected attempts to classify condo units under the lower 'apartment' tax rate.
• Individual condo units don't qualify as 'multi-dwelling-unit improvements' under county code, court ruled.
• Non-owner-occupied classification carries higher property tax rates than apartment classification.
• The ruling could set precedent for how other Hawaii condominiums are classified and taxed.
• Decision highlights ongoing efforts by local governments to maximize tax revenue from rental properties.

Source: Nationaltoday

Grand Wailea resort has launched a specialty dessert in collaboration with Hawaii-born entertainer Sydney Agudong as part of its ongoing dining program refresh. The partnership reflects the resort's strategy to attract younger guests while maintaining its luxury appeal.

• Grand Wailea introduced the Island Buzz Sundae featuring local flavors like macadamia, coconut, and tropical fruits.
• The collaboration with Sydney Agudong targets younger, experience-focused travelers while appealing to existing luxury guests.
• The dessert is designed as a social media-friendly experience with high-impact presentation.
• This partnership is part of Grand Wailea's multi-year food and beverage program refresh emphasizing Hawaii-inspired dining.
• The initiative follows a trend among high-end Hawaii resorts linking menu items to personalities and brand narratives.

Source: Thetraveler

Oneuli Beach, a lesser-known black volcanic sand beach near Makena, provides a unique alternative to crowded resort beaches. The beach may be subject to new $10 daily parking fees for non-residents starting in 2026.

• Oneuli Beach sits 3.8 miles south of Grand Wailea Resort with distinctive black volcanic sand mixed with white coral fragments.
• The beach is accessed through an unmarked yellow gate with limited 6-car parking and a 5-minute walk through shrubs.
• South Maui beaches will charge non-residents $10 per day for parking starting early 2026, with Hawaii residents parking free.
• The beach offers snorkeling opportunities on the left side with 30-40 foot visibility and coral gardens.
• Morning visits before 10am provide better lighting conditions and avoid scorching hot sand at midday.

Source: Journee Mondiale

Jazz Maui hosts weekly Sunday evening concerts at Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate Factory in Lahaina, featuring live jazz performances with food and beverage service.

• Weekly Sunset Jazz concerts occur Sundays 5-7pm at Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate Factory on Ulupono Street in Lahaina.
• Events feature live jazz performances with different musicians each week in an open-air pavilion setting.
• The venue offers chocolate and beverage pairings, wine, spirits, beer, and café menu items for purchase during shows.
• Advance ticket purchases are required as seating is limited and events frequently sell out.
• Concerts support Jazz Maui's nonprofit music education programs through ticket sales proceeds.

Source: Maui Now

Arborists will conduct extensive health testing on Lahaina's fire-damaged banyan tree to determine if the park can safely reopen to visitors before year-end. The iconic tree survived the 2023 wildfire but officials discovered hidden damage including fungus beneath its bark.

• Maui County arborists will perform invasive testing including tension tests on branches and drilling into the trunk to check for sap production.
• Officials found fungus in a recently broken branch, raising concerns about internal damage not visible from the surface.
• The park could potentially reopen before the end of 2026 if the tree passes health assessments.
• Safety protocols and visitor education measures are being considered to protect the tree once public access resumes.
• The tree appeared to survive the August 2023 wildfire but sustained significant heat damage that dried out internal structures.

Source: Wwltv

Nearly 10 native Hawaiian trees, including endemic loulu palms, were planted at Lahaina Harbor as part of ongoing restoration efforts following the 2023 wildfires. The project is part of broader community recovery work supported by multiple organizations.

• Lahaina Harbor received nearly 10 native trees including loulu palms, Hawaiian sandalwood, and other indigenous species.
• The planting project is funded by Maui County and coordinated by Lahaina Restoration Foundation with multiple community partners.
• Lahaina Harbor's loading dock has reopened and resumed operations following the 2023 wildfire damage.
• Additional native plantings are scheduled for this month as part of ongoing harbor restoration work.
• Treecovery operates 31 grow hubs across Maui and has planted over 9,000 trees in recovery efforts.

Source: Maui Now

Multiple sources report that Maui County officials are preparing an extensive health assessment of Lahaina's historic banyan tree to determine when the park can reopen to visitors. The tree has been closed to the public since sustaining damage in the August 2023 wildfire.

• Arborists from Maui and Oahu will conduct extensive testing to assess the tree's health and structural integrity
• Recent discovery of fungus inside a broken branch has raised concerns about hidden damage beneath the tree's bark
• Assessment will include stress testing branches with weighted ropes and inserting steel spikes to check for sap production
• Lahaina Banyan Court Park could potentially reopen before the end of 2026 if the tree is deemed healthy enough
• Officials must ensure damaged branches pose no safety risk to visitors before allowing public access

Sources

• Wkyc: Famed banyan tree still 'in the ICU'
• Wvnews: Maui Wildfire-Banyan Tree

A peaceful candlelight gathering took place on Maui this week, bringing together residents to show solidarity and support for immigrant community members. The event highlighted the island's commitment to inclusivity and protecting vulnerable residents.

• Local residents organized a community candlelight ceremony to demonstrate support for Maui's immigrant population
• The gathering emphasized unity and solidarity within Maui's diverse community during uncertain times
• Event organizers focused on protecting and supporting vulnerable community members who contribute to island life
• The peaceful demonstration reflects Maui's values of aloha and inclusivity that visitors and residents experience
• Community leaders spoke about the importance of standing together to preserve the welcoming spirit that defines island culture

Source: Hawaii News Now

Health authorities have identified a second instance of measles in Maui's wastewater monitoring system, prompting continued surveillance efforts across the island. Residents and visitors are advised to ensure their vaccinations are current as a precautionary measure.

• A second detection of measles has been confirmed in Maui's wastewater surveillance program, following an earlier finding
• Health officials are using wastewater monitoring as an early warning system to track potential disease spread in the community
• Visitors and residents should verify their measles vaccination status is up-to-date, especially before traveling
• The wastewater detections serve as a public health tool and don't necessarily indicate active cases in the immediate area
• Health authorities continue monitoring and will provide updates as more information becomes available

Source: Maui News