Appeals Court Sends Honuaʻula Phase II Back to Maui Planning Commission
A Hawaii appellate court ruled the Maui Planning Commission used the wrong legal standard when it approved Phase II of the Honuaʻula master-planned community in South Maui, ordering the commission to reconsider whether a supplemental environmental impact statement is required. The court upheld the commission on drainage, due process, and delegation issues, while workforce housing […]
Lahaina Marks Three Years Since Wildfires with Community Remembrance Event
Multiple sources reported on the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires, which killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of structures in Lahaina. Maui County hosted a free all-day community gathering called ‘Kuhinia Maui’ on August 8, 2026, bringing together residents for music, cultural activities, and reflection. The event signaled continued […]
Maui Council Delays Vote on Hotel Rezoning for ~2,500 Apartment Units
A Maui County Council committee recessed without voting on two resolutions that would rezone additional apartment-district properties into hotel districts, continuing the process of carving out exceptions to Bill 9’s vacation rental phase-out. The committee will resume testimony on August 19. The two paused resolutions (26-129 and 26-130) are part of a four-measure effort that […]
Kahului Town Hall Aug. 12 to Cover Central Maui Plan & Hurricane Prep
Maui County Council Member Kauanoe Batangan is hosting a public town hall on August 12 in Kahului covering the updated Central Maui Community Plan and hurricane preparedness. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Kahului Elementary School and includes a Q&A session. The Central Maui Community Plan is a comprehensive 20-year update to the 2002 […]
Appeals Court Sends Honua’ula Development Back for Environmental Review
Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that the Maui Planning Commission must reconsider whether significant changes to the Honua’ula development near Wailea require an updated environmental impact statement. The project’s affordable housing and market-rate unit counts have shifted multiple times since its original 2008 approval. The court found the Maui Planning Commission failed to properly […]
PACs Pour $900K+ Into Maui Races Where STR Policy Is Central Issue
Political action committees have directed more than $900,000 toward Maui mayoral and council races this election cycle, more than double any other county. The future of short-term vacation rentals has been a defining issue driving the political spending. Maui received roughly half of the $1.5 million PACs and super PACs spent on neighbor island county […]
South Kihei Road Near Kamaole II to Reopen Aug. 11, Ahead of Schedule
Maui County will reopen the storm-damaged stretch of South Kihei Road near Kamaole II Beach Park on August 11, 2026, earlier than the originally projected fall completion date. Repairs were federally funded and addressed damage to the roadway, drainage, waterline, and surrounding infrastructure caused by a March Kona low. South Kihei Road near Kamaole II […]
Lahaina Commercial Rebuilds Stalled by Permit Backlogs Despite County Optimism
Despite a county meeting celebrating rebuilding progress, only two commercial permits have been issued in Lahaina nearly three years after the 2023 wildfire. Permit delays tied to unclear documentation requirements, historic preservation reviews, and shoreline setback rules continue to block most projects. Only two commercial permits have been issued in Lahaina to date, with dozens […]
Coqui Frog Spread Threatens More of Maui as Control Resources Shrink
The Maui Invasive Species Committee has cut field staff and shifted strategy, asking some Haiku residents to treat coqui infestations themselves. Locals warn that without more resources, the loud, invasive frogs could spread beyond their current 6-square-mile range into other parts of Maui. MISC field staff has dropped to just two workers and a supervisor, […]
Maui Council Sends Subdivision Water Review Bill Back for More Study
The Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee returned a bill to the Board of Water Supply that would allow concurrent review of subdivision construction plans before water availability is confirmed. Committee members and testifiers questioned whether the change is legally necessary, since the department may already have that flexibility. Bill 1 (2026) would let […]