Maui County Seeks Public Input on Desalination Plans for South and West Maui
The Maui County Department of Water Supply is holding two public meetings in August to discuss desalination as a potential long-term water source for South and West Maui. Community members can learn about project status, estimated costs, and next steps, and provide feedback. Meetings are scheduled for Aug. 5 at the Kīhei Community Center and […]
Hurricane Fausto Approaching Hawaii; Maui Officials Urge Preparedness
Multiple sources report that Hurricane Fausto is tracking toward the Hawaiian Islands and expected to arrive early-to-mid next week, with forecasters anticipating it will weaken to a tropical storm before reaching the islands. No watches or warnings are currently in effect for Maui County, but officials are urging residents and property owners to prepare now. […]
Maui’s New $24M Emergency Operations Center Opens in Wailuku This August
Multiple sources reported that Maui County held a blessing ceremony on July 24, 2026 for a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Wailuku, with full operations set to begin in August. The facility nearly quadruples the county’s emergency coordination capacity and is described by officials as one of the most technologically advanced EOCs in the […]
Wailuku Film Festival Draws 5,300+ Attendees in Debut Year
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival ran June 17–21, 2026, drawing over 5,300 attendees to Historic Wailuku over five days. The event featured 100+ films from 15 countries and generated 12.5 million media impressions, with local businesses reporting increased sales throughout the week. More than 5,300 total attendees visited Historic Wailuku and the Maui Arts and […]
Inaugural Wailuku Film Festival Drew 5,300+ Attendees Over Five Days
Multiple sources report that the first-ever Wailuku Film Festival, held June 17–21, 2026, successfully established Maui as a destination for independent and Indigenous cinema. The event, an initiative of the Maui Film Office supported by the County of Maui, drew thousands of visitors and generated significant local economic activity. The festival attracted more than 4,000 […]
Paia Water Outage on Poni Place Affects 20 Homes for ~2 Hours
Maui County is conducting emergency repairs on a mainline break on Poni Place in Paia on July 19, causing a roughly 2-hour water outage starting at 4 p.m. About 20 residences and 2 standpipes are affected. A mainline break on Poni Place in Paia triggered an emergency water shutoff on July 19 at 4 p.m. […]
Maui Council Candidate Konohia: Bill 9 ‘Rushed,’ Supports Phaseout of STRs
Randy Konohia, a candidate for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat on the Maui County Council, says Bill 9’s vacation rental phaseout had good intentions but was implemented too hastily, creating uncertainty for owners and workers. He supports prioritizing housing for local residents over short-term rental profits. Konohia acknowledges Bill 9 — which phases out vacation rentals in […]
Front Street Reopens Aug. 1 as Lahaina Homecoming Marks Recovery Milestone
Multiple sources report that Lahaina’s Front Street will reopen to vehicular traffic on August 1, 2026, following the completion of post-wildfire repairs and improvements announced by the Maui County Office of Recovery. The reopening coincides with the Lahaina Homecoming event, a three-day community celebration held July 17–19 that brought more than 100 displaced residents back […]
Makawao Water System Shows Trace Selenium — Far Below Safety Limits
Multiple outlets including Maui County, Maui Now, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and KITV reported that trace levels of selenium were detected for the first time in the Makawao water system during routine testing. Officials from the Department of Water Supply and Hawaii Department of Health confirm the levels pose no health risk and are well below federal […]
Kimo’s Restaurant to Return to Front Street in Rebuilt Lahaina
Multiple sources report that T S Restaurants has signed a letter of intent to reopen Kimo’s Restaurant on a new Front Street location in Lahaina, nearly three years after the iconic eatery was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire. The restaurant, a Lahaina waterfront landmark for nearly 50 years, will be anchored in the historic […]