Maui County completed the transfer of over 400,000 tons of Lahaina wildfire debris from temporary storage in Olowalu to a permanent disposal site in Central Maui. The five-month operation finished ahead of schedule with a ceremonial blessing on February 17, 2026.

• More than 400,000 tons of wildfire debris successfully moved from Olowalu temporary site to permanent Central Maui location.
• Transfer operations completed five months ahead of schedule using 50 trucks operating seven days a week.
• Multiple federal and state agencies coordinated the effort with strict environmental and safety oversight.
• Ceremonial pule blessing marked the official completion of this major recovery milestone.
• Recovery and rebuilding support continues for affected residents and property owners.

Source: Mauirecovers

Mayor Bissen will deliver his 2026 State of the County Address on March 5, focusing on wildfire recovery, housing solutions, and economic development including visitor industry balance.

• The address will highlight progress on housing, recovery, and economic stability while outlining future community strengthening actions.
• Key priorities include advancing local housing solutions and continuing wildfire recovery efforts focused on housing stability and infrastructure.
• Economic development plans will emphasize supporting local businesses and maintaining a balanced visitor industry.
• The event is free and will be broadcast live on multiple platforms including County social media and local television.
• Cultural and natural resource protection through sustainable stewardship will be addressed as a county priority.

Source: Maui County

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

U.S. Air Force held public hearings for plans to build up to seven telescopes on Haleakalā summit, facing overwhelming opposition from nearly 100 residents who testified against the project. Native Hawaiians and community members cite cultural and spiritual significance of the sacred mountain.

• Air Force plans up to seven new telescopes on Haleakalā summit for space monitoring and national security purposes.
• Nearly 100 residents testified at Kīhei and Pukalani hearings, with almost all opposing the project.
• Native Hawaiian opponents emphasized Haleakalā's sacred cultural and spiritual significance.
• Community members vowed to fight the project similar to successful Maunakea telescope opposition.
• Standing room only crowds attended hearings, with some unable to testify due to time limits.

Source: Maui Now

Hawaii teachers union proposes closing a tax 'loophole' on car rental companies to help fund $200M in pandemic hazard pay, as the state considers nearly $904M total in COVID-related payments to public employees.

• Teachers union suggests imposing retail tax on car rental company wholesale vehicle purchases to fund $200M in pandemic pay.
• Governor Green requests another $100M for public employee hazard pay, adding to $604M already appropriated in previous years.
• Total pandemic-related payments to public workers could reach $904M across multiple union settlements.
• 92-year-old architect sentenced to probation for attempting $20 bribe to city permit reviewer.
• Leasehold condo project at Ward/Kapiolani faces challenges with affordability and marketability concerns.

Source: Hawaii Free Press

Delta Air Lines has announced significant expansion of its Hawaii network for winter 2026-2027, including new and returning nonstop routes. Multiple aviation news sources report the airline will add its first-ever direct service from Minneapolis to Maui and restore Boston to Honolulu flights starting December 19, 2026.

• New daily nonstop service launches December 19, 2026 between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Kahului, Maui - the first direct connection between the Upper Midwest and Maui
• Boston to Honolulu nonstop service returns December 19, 2026, operating daily during peak periods and four times weekly through winter season
• Both new routes will be operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft
• Minneapolis-Maui service will operate daily during holidays and spring break, scaling to five weekly flights during core winter season (Aeronewsglobal)
• Salt Lake City to Kona service will begin earlier on November 9, 2026 with daily flights (Travelandtourworld)
• Additional frequency increases planned for Atlanta-Honolulu and Detroit-Honolulu routes (Aeronewsglobal)

Sources

• Travelandtourworld: Delta Airlines Announces Jaw-Dropping Winter 2026 Hawaii Expansion: Nonstop Flights from Minneapolis to Maui and Boston to Honolulu — Plus Major Boosts to Popular Routes!
• Aeronewsglobal: Delta announces MSP–Maui flights, BOS–Honolulu route returns

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 comprehensive audit of Maui County's operations has revealed several areas where the government may be vulnerable to fraudulent activities. The assessment aims to strengthen financial oversight and protect taxpayer resources that fund essential services for residents and visitors.

• Independent auditor completed systematic review of County of Maui's fraud prevention measures and internal controls
• Assessment identified specific operational gaps that could potentially expose county finances to misuse or fraud
• Findings will help county officials prioritize improvements to financial oversight systems that protect public funds
• Enhanced fraud prevention measures could lead to better allocation of taxpayer money toward essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and tourism support
• County expected to implement recommended changes to strengthen accountability and transparency in government operations

Source: Maui Now

Hawaii has finished its first major dredging project at Maunalua Bay's entrance channel in over six decades, improving navigation and access for boaters and marine activities.

• First comprehensive dredging of the bay's entrance channel since the 1960s enhances safety for recreational and commercial vessels
• Improved water depth and navigation should benefit local fishing, diving, and water sports operations popular with visitors
• The long-overdue maintenance addresses decades of sediment buildup that had been restricting boat access
• Enhanced marine access could boost tourism activities and support local businesses dependent on bay access
• The project demonstrates state investment in maintaining critical marine infrastructure for residents and visitors

Source: Hawaii News Now

A new measure is being considered that would reorganize Hawaii Electric Company (HECO) with the goal of reducing electricity bills for residents and businesses across the islands.

• The proposed legislation targets HECO's structure to address Hawaii's notoriously high energy costs that impact both residents and the tourism industry
• Lower electricity bills could translate to reduced operating costs for vacation rentals and local businesses on Maui
• The measure represents ongoing efforts to make Hawaii's energy market more affordable and sustainable
• Any changes to energy costs could affect visitor accommodation pricing and island living expenses
• The proposal is still in early stages and would need legislative approval before implementation

Source: Hawaii News Now