Federal Grant Funds $40M Expansion of Kahului Harbor Cargo Capacity
The Hawaii Department of Transportation will receive $40.1 million in federal funding to expand cargo storage and improve operations at Kahului Harbor, Maui’s only commercial port. The project includes upgrading existing yards and adding new acreage to handle increased construction materials tied to Lahaina rebuilding efforts. A $40.1M federal grant will fund the $56.1M Port […]
Military Data Center Under Construction in Kīhei Draws Community Scrutiny
The U.S. Air Force and Space Force are building a $100 million, 56,000-square-foot data center in Kīhei’s Maui Research and Technology Park, intended to remotely operate proposed new telescopes on Haleakalā. Residents and advocates are raising concerns about transparency, environmental review, and demands on local water and electricity resources. The Secure Integration Support Laboratory (SISL) […]
Federal Grant Funds $40M Port of Kahului Cargo Yard Expansion
Hawaii’s Department of Transportation has secured a $40.1 million federal grant to expand cargo yard capacity at the Port of Kahului, Maui’s only commercial port. The project is designed to handle the surge of construction materials needed for Lahaina rebuilding and improve long-term port resilience. The $40.1M federal grant covers most of a $56.1M project, […]
First Front Street Commercial Building Breaks Ground in Lahaina Rebuild
Construction has started on the first commercial rebuild on Lahaina’s Front Street, with a six-month timeline and a planned summer 2027 opening. The 4,400-square-foot structure at 612 Front St. will feature fire-resistant upgrades and return Pacific Whale Foundation as its anchor tenant. The 612 Front St. building is the first commercial property to begin reconstruction […]
UH Study: Elevated Metal Levels Found in Maui Residents Years After 2023 Fire
A University of Hawaiʻi study tracking 1,400 Maui adults found significantly elevated concentrations of toxic metals in residents 6–18 months after the August 2023 wildfire. Researchers say exposure extended well beyond Lahaina and continued long after smoke cleared, with links to abnormal lung function. Maui residents showed metal concentrations — including antimony at nearly 40x […]
Hawaiian Electric Installs First Tesla Megapacks at Maui Battery Storage Site
Hawaiian Electric has begun installing Tesla Megapack battery units at its new Waena energy storage facility in Central Maui. The 40-MW system is designed to shift renewable energy to peak demand periods and is expected to go online in 2027. The Waena Battery Energy Storage System will be Maui’s first standalone load-shifting battery project, using […]
Hawaiian Electric Installs First Tesla Megapacks for Maui Grid Storage Project
Hawaiian Electric has installed the first six of 54 Tesla Megapack battery units at its Waena facility in Central Maui, part of a 40MW grid-scale energy storage system. The project is expected to be operational in 2027 and aims to improve grid stability and support renewable energy use. The Waena Battery Energy Storage System will […]
$24M Federal Grant to Repair Six Aging Hana Highway Bridges
Six bridges along the popular Hana Highway will be rehabilitated or replaced using $24 million in federal funding. The project is designed to preserve the historic, single-lane character of the road while improving safety and access in East Maui. Six of Hana Highway’s 59 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced using $24M in federal funding […]
Letter Criticizes Maui Council Over Wailea 670 Labor and Water Conditions
A Kihei resident’s letter to the editor argues that several Maui council members failed to require union labor hiring or enforce water availability rules for the Wailea 670 and Makena Resort developments. The letter raises concerns about infrastructure strain on the Iao Aquifer and costs being shifted to residents. A letter writer alleges Maui council […]
South Kīhei Road Near Kam II Beach Park Reopens Aug. 11, Ahead of Schedule
South Kīhei Road, closed since a March Kona Low caused major storm damage, will reopen to traffic on August 11, 2026 — earlier than the originally estimated fall completion date. The County used federal emergency funding to complete layered repairs to the roadway, drainage, waterline, and surrounding park area. South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole II […]