County Council Committee Backs $4M More for Wailuku Cultural Center Project
A Maui County Council committee approved adding $4 million in bond funding for the under-construction Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts cultural facility in Wailuku, bringing the total project cost to $50.5 million. The additional $4 million would restore items cut during construction including commercial kitchen equipment, security systems, and rooftop solar panels. The original $46.5 million […]
Ethics Questions Raised Over Official’s Private Jet Trip to Packers Game
A Maui mayor’s office director allegedly traveled by private jet to a Packers game in Sentry Insurance’s luxury box, raising ethics concerns about gifts from companies receiving county funding. The county later allocated $100,000 to the Sentry PGA tournament in its budget. Social media video allegedly shows Maui Mayor’s communications director at Packers game in […]
Federal Agency Blocks Closure of Kahului and Hilo Power Plants
The EPA rejected Hawaii’s plan to shut down fuel oil-fired power units at generating stations in Kahului and Hilo, citing concerns about grid reliability and legal issues with forced closures. EPA partially disapproved Hawaii’s regional haze plan that would have closed power units at Kahului and Kanoelehua-Hill generating stations. The federal agency cited concerns about […]
South Kihei Water Outage Planned for Sunday Night Maintenance Work
Maui County has announced a scheduled water service outage in South Kihei for maintenance work. The outage will affect several roads in the area during late night and early morning hours. Water service will be interrupted from approximately 10 p.m. on May 19 to 3 a.m. on May 20 Affected areas include S. Kihei Road […]
Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash on Honoapiilani Highway Claims Haiku Woman’s Life
A 55-year-old Haiku woman died from injuries sustained in a three-vehicle collision on Honoapiilani Highway near North Kihei Road intersection. This marks Maui County’s third traffic fatality of 2026, down from nine at the same time last year. Teresa Campisi of Haiku died May 17 after her Jetta crossed the median into oncoming traffic on […]
County Moves to Control 93% of West Maui Water Through Private Acquisitions
Multiple sources report that Maui County has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire water infrastructure from Maui Land & Pineapple Company, part of a broader effort to gain control of private water systems in West Maui. The move would increase county control of the region’s water from 45% to 93% and support housing development […]
Maui County Plans to Buy Private West Maui Water Systems for Public Control
Maui County is pursuing deals to purchase three private water systems in West Maui, which would increase county control from 45% to 93% of the area’s water supply. The acquisitions include watershed land, wells, and infrastructure currently owned by private companies. County seeks to buy water systems in Olowalu, Launiupoko, and from Maui Land and […]
Maui County to Acquire Private West Maui Water Systems from MLP
Multiple news outlets report that Maui County has reached a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire the company’s West Maui water infrastructure. The agreement would increase public ownership of West Maui drinking water systems from 45% to 93%, though the County Council must still approve the final purchase. County signed […]
Maui County Students Awarded $37K in Educational Scholarships
Ten high school seniors from Maui County received Takitani Foundation scholarships totaling $37,000 for academic excellence and community service. The scholarships are part of a statewide program that awarded $232,000 to 63 students across Hawaii. Lauren Ghotane from King Kekaulike High School received the top $8,000 Karen Uno Distinguished Student Scholarship. Maui High School’s Aleizy […]
Memorial Day ceremony planned at Makawao veterans cemetery May 25
The Maui County Veterans Council will host a Memorial Day tribute ceremony on May 25, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at the Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao. The public ceremony will include wreath presentations and honors for fallen service members. Memorial Day tribute scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at Maui Veterans Cemetery […]