Pacific Whale Foundation leads Maui's official marine debris response, coordinating volunteers to remove fishing nets, buoys, and plastic waste from beaches and reefs. The program tracks debris sources and locations to build data for potential policy changes.

• Teams remove heavy marine debris including a 2,500-pound net mass discovered at Waiehu Beach Park.
• Monthly volunteer efforts of 50-100 people clean shorelines and underwater reefs at multiple locations.
• Debris originates from Asian countries and U.S. fisheries, carried by currents to Hawaii's windward shores.
• Collected materials are recycled into products like plastic lumber and repurposed dive weights.
• Property owners can report large debris through DLNR's online form or by calling 833-4DA-NETS.

Source: Mauimagazine

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

Multiple news sources report on ongoing recovery efforts following recent flooding on Maui and Molokai. Communities are receiving emergency aid while businesses reopen and residents continue cleanup efforts from the kona low storms that brought record rainfall.

• Maui United Way activated the Maui Nui Resilience and Emergency Response Fund with $100,000 from Kaiser Permanente and Southwest Airlines matching donations up to $10,000
• Over 1,300 meals have been distributed to residents in remote areas including Hana and Molokai through partnership with World Central Kitchen
• Maui's only Target store in Kahului reopened after 16 days of closure due to flood damage that reached employees' knees
• Target donated over 55 pallets of food to Maui Food Bank and provided a $25,000 emergency grant (Hawaii News Now)
• Molokai families lost homes and belongings, with limited resources on the island making recovery particularly challenging
• Back-to-back kona low storms brought over 30 inches of rainfall in some areas starting March 11, with total damage expected to exceed $1 billion (Cntraveler)
• Recovery efforts continue in Lahaina, Kahului, Kula, and Kihei on Maui, with most roads open except for limited overnight closures on Farrington Highway through April 3 (Cntraveler)

Sources

• Maui News: Emergency fund to aid recovery efforts on Molokai, Maui
• Hawaii News Now: Maui's only Target reopens after 16-day closure from flood damage
• Hawaii News Now: 'Crazy roller coaster': Molokai flood victims ask for help amid recovery efforts
• Cntraveler: Traveling to Hawaii After the Floods—What to Know and How to Help

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

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 weather forecasts from Maui Now show continued breezy to windy northeast trade wind conditions across Maui through Wednesday. The pattern brings varying shower chances and temperatures depending on location across the island.

• Northeast trade winds of 15-25 mph expected to continue through Wednesday across most areas
• West and South sides will see mostly sunny conditions with minimal shower chances
• North Shore faces highest rain probability at 50-70% with scattered to numerous showers
• Central Maui and Upcountry areas expecting partly sunny to sunny skies with isolated to scattered showers
• Temperatures ranging from highs in the mid-70s to upper 70s at lower elevations, cooler in mountain areas

Sources

• Maui Now: Maui Weather Forecast for March 31, 2026
• Maui Now: Maui Weather Forecast for March 30, 2026

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

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

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