Maui Brewing Company has released a new light lager beer and will serve it on all Hawaiian Airlines flights starting in April. The company is hosting a launch party at their Kihei taproom on April 10.

• Maui Brewing's new light lager will be served on all Hawaiian Airlines flights beginning in early April.
• The company is hosting a launch party at their Kihei taproom on April 10 from 4-6 PM with live music and giveaways.
• The new beer is available now at Hawaii retailers and restaurants, with broader distribution planned for fall.
• Maui Brewing continues expanding its product line including hard seltzers, vodka sodas, and upcoming non-alcoholic options.

Source: Thebrewermagazine

Maui United Way has activated its emergency response fund with $100,000 from Kaiser Permanente to address recent severe flooding that has compounded ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. The organization is coordinating with county agencies and community partners to provide immediate aid including meals, grants, and connectivity support across affected areas.

• Recent severe flooding has created additional challenges for areas still recovering from 2023 wildfires.
• Kaiser Permanente provided $100,000 seed funding while Southwest Airlines is matching community donations up to $10,000.
• Over 1,300 meals have been distributed to remote areas including Hāna and Molokaʻi through partnership with World Central Kitchen.
• Seven internet satellites have been deployed across Hāna and Molokaʻi to maintain connectivity during response efforts.
• Maui United Way has already deployed $5.5 million in wildfire recovery funds this fiscal year and continues long-term support efforts.

Source: Maui Now

Construction has begun on a new fire station in Olowalu that will reduce emergency response times by at least 15 minutes compared to dispatching from Lahaina. Additional funding is still needed to complete the project.

• The new Olowalu Fire Station will reduce emergency response times by at least 15 minutes compared to the nearest station in Lahaina.
• Groundbreaking ceremony was held March 20 with Mayor Bissen and Fire Chief Ventura in attendance.
• The project still requires additional funding beyond what's currently secured for completion.
• The station site was selected by the Maui Fire Chief in 2022 and built on donated land from Olowalu Homes Inc.
• The facility will serve as a community hub for fire education and prevention programs in addition to emergency response.

Source: Dailydispatch

A nonprofit has reactivated its anti-displacement fund to help Native Hawaiian homeowners repair storm damage from March 2026's kona storms. The fund aims to raise $20 million for home repairs and prevent displacement across affected Hawaiian Home Lands.

• Hawaii Community Lending revived the Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund with $1 million seed money, targeting $20 million in first phase funding.
• March 2026 kona storms damaged Hawaiian Home Lands properties statewide, including collapsed cesspools in Anahola and flooding in Leialii and Kepaʻakea.
• The fund will provide grants, loans and technical assistance for Native Hawaiian homeowners facing insurance gaps and rising repair costs.
• Program seeks contractors through its Kūkulu Partner Program to conduct assessments and perform repair work.
• Funding comes from individuals, businesses, financial institutions and government entities through the nonprofit's website.

Source: Maui Now

County offices and most facilities will be closed Good Friday, April 3, with some waste services operating reduced hours. Regular operations resume Monday, April 6.

• All county offices will be closed including the Recovery Permit Center in Kahului.
• County pools and landfills on Hāna, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi will be closed for the day.
• Central Maui Landfill will operate shortened hours from 6 a.m. to noon.
• Residential trash pickup and Maui Bus services will continue normal schedules.
• All county services return to regular hours on Monday, April 6.

Source: Maui County

Several fields at Keōpūolani Regional Park will close for nearly five months for lighting upgrades, and all county pools will shut down for one day in April for lifeguard training.

• Three fields at Keōpūolani Regional Park close April 1-August 26 for lighting replacement project.
• Construction will affect softball fields 2 and 3 plus soccer field 5, with other park areas remaining open.
• All county pools will close April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for mandatory lifeguard training.
• Pool closures are expected to last only one day, with normal operations resuming May 1.

Source: Maui County

Maui County police have reported a fatal stabbing incident in Kihei that occurred on March 29, 2026. A 64-year-old man died from stab wounds at the scene, and a 36-year-old suspect has been taken into custody.

• Police responded to a Kihei residence at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026, for a reported stabbing incident
• A 64-year-old Kihei male was found unresponsive inside the residence with apparent stab wounds and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts
• A 36-year-old Kihei male was located on the property and taken into custody after officers used less-lethal force
• The suspect was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center for evaluation
• The investigation remains ongoing with no additional information available

Sources

• Maui County: Murder in the Second Degree
• Maui County: Murder in the Second Degree (Update)

Multiple county announcements detail ongoing recovery efforts from March 2026 Kona storms affecting Maui County facilities and services. The county is providing free appliance disposal for Molokai residents while numerous parks and recreational facilities across the island remain closed due to storm damage.

• County providing free hauling and disposal of storm-damaged appliances for Molokai residents through contracted vendors A&S Services LLC and Island Refuse Inc.
• White goods eligible for free disposal include washers, dryers, refrigerators, water heaters, air-conditioning units, and other major appliances
• Long-term park closures due to severe damage include Kula Gym, Ukumehame Firing Range, Kalepolepo Park, Kamole Beach Park II, and Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens
• Short-term closures include Kihei Aquatic Center 50-meter pool, various South Maui beach parks, and Kanaha Beach Park access points
• Ichiro 'Iron' Maehara Baseball Stadium lights have been restored after Hawaiian Electric crews worked through the weekend
• Residents encouraged to self-report storm damages using Crisis Track tool and sign up for recovery information at mauirecovers.org

Sources

• Maui County: County provides free hauling, disposal of storm-damaged appliances for Moloka'i residents
• Maui County: County DPR closures tied to storm damages available on webpage
• Maui County: DPR Storm Update

Weekend road closures for Makawao Avenue reconstruction have been delayed to February 28 due to potential rain and flooding. The project will cause full weekend closures through March 22, affecting access to Upcountry areas.

• Full weekend road closures on Makawao Avenue now start February 28 and continue through March 22.
• Closures affect 1.8 miles from Apana Road to Ai Street, with local traffic access only during construction.
• Weekend work runs 6 a.m. Saturday to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, while weekday work continues 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The reconstruction project includes pavement, sidewalk, drainage and safety upgrades through February 2027.

Source: Maui County

Parts of Hawaii are bracing for significant rainfall beginning Friday, prompting weather officials to issue First Alert Weather conditions for the weekend. Maui residents and visitors should prepare for potential travel disruptions and outdoor activity impacts.

• Heavy rain conditions expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend across parts of the Hawaiian island chain
• Visitors should monitor weather updates and consider indoor activities or flexible itineraries for weekend plans
• Potential for localized flooding, difficult driving conditions, and impacts to outdoor recreational activities
• Maui vacation rental guests should stay informed about road conditions, especially when traveling to popular tourist destinations
• First Alert Weather designation indicates heightened awareness needed for changing weather patterns

Source: Hawaii News Now