Vice President Honors Fallen Maui Police Officer at National Memorial
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance honored fallen Maui Police Officer Suzanne O at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. Officer O was killed in the line of duty in August 2025 while searching for a suspect in Paia. Officer Suzanne O was fatally shot on August 15, 2025, while searching for a suspect near the […]
Maui County Council Elections May Shift Policy Direction This Fall
Upcoming Maui County Council elections could create a progressive majority as conservative members step down and competitive races emerge. The results may influence post-wildfire recovery policies, housing decisions, and development regulations. Two conservative council members are not seeking reelection, creating opportunities for progressive candidates to gain control. Elections are viewed as a referendum on local […]
Maui County Approves Prefab Housing as Permanent Option in Lahaina
Maui County has announced it will now allow factory-built housing as permanent dwellings in the Lahaina Burn Zone, implementing new procedures to expand housing options for fire survivors. The policy change aims to reduce construction costs and streamline the path from permitting to occupancy for affected families. Factory-built housing, defined as dwellings prefabricated or assembled […]
Maui County Considers Using 20% of Vacation Rental Tax for Climate Fund
Maui County Council will discuss legislation Thursday to dedicate 20% of transient accommodations tax revenue to a new Climate Action and Resiliency Fund. The proposal would allocate about $13 million annually from vacation rental and hotel taxes to fund over 100 climate resilience projects. The proposed fund would receive 20% of annual transient accommodations tax […]
Maui County Accepts Liquor License Renewals Through June 15
The Department of Liquor Control is accepting renewal applications for FY 2027 liquor licenses until June 15, 2026. Property owners with liquor licenses should submit applications early to avoid processing delays. Liquor license renewal applications for FY 2027 are due by June 15, 2026. The renewal period started April 1 and runs for two and […]
County Signs MOU to Acquire West Maui Private Water Systems from MLP
Maui County signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire private water infrastructure in West Maui, increasing public control of drinking water systems from 45% to 93%. The MOU establishes framework for County to acquire MLP’s West Maui water system including wells, reservoirs, and the Honokōhau Ditch System. Agreement includes […]
Traffic Accident Briefly Blocks Kuihelani Highway, Now Reopened
A motor vehicle accident temporarily closed the southbound lane of Kuihelani Highway at Maui Lani Parkway. The roadway has since been reopened to traffic. Southbound lane of Kuihelani Highway was closed due to a motor vehicle accident. The closure affected traffic between Kuihelani Highway and Maui Lani Parkway. County officials have confirmed the roadway is […]
Big Island Council Debates Competing 20-Year Development Plans
Hawaii County Council is split between two development plans that will guide the Big Island’s growth over the next 20 years, rushing to approve one before November elections change council membership. Two competing plans are under consideration: a 310-page General Plan 2045 from the Planning Department and a shorter 72-page alternative from a council member. […]
Grammy Winner Paul Wertico to Perform at Ritz-Carlton Maui May 21
Jazz drummer Paul Wertico, who won seven Grammy Awards with the Pat Metheny Group, will perform his first Maui show at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on May 21. Seven-time Grammy winner Paul Wertico will debut at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua on May 21. Wertico played drums with jazz legend Pat Metheny for 18 years and won […]
Maui Musician Releases Funk-Ukulele Album with Star-Studded Lineup
Local musician Vince Esquire has released ‘Funkulele,’ a nine-track funk album featuring ukulele and high-profile backing musicians including Tower of Power horns. The project was partially sponsored by Ron Panzo, owner of Nalu’s South Shore Grill. Vince Esquire, who previously toured with Gregg Allman, released an instrumental funk album featuring ukulele as the lead instrument. […]