60 Front Street Homes to Rise from Ashes as Lahaina Rebuild Kicks Off
A groundbreaking ceremony on October 6 marked the start of reconstruction for 60 fire-destroyed homes at 1034 Front St. in Lahaina, with construction set to begin October 19 and completion expected in about 18 months. Six two-story apartment buildings at 1034 Front St. will be rebuilt, restoring all 60 homes to their original size and […]
FEMA Sends $15M to Maui for Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Management
FEMA has approved $15 million for Hawaiʻi to administer hazard mitigation projects tied to the 2023 Maui wildfires, part of a broader $226 million federal disaster funding package. The funds are intended to cover project management and administration costs, though which agency will oversee the money has not been specified. The $15 million comes through […]
Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Survivor Housing Cases from State
Maui County has launched a Housing Navigator Program to continue case management for roughly 1,100 households displaced by the August 2023 wildfires, replacing the state-run Disaster Case Management Program. A contractor team will assign each household a dedicated navigator to support ongoing housing recovery planning. Maui County’s new Housing Navigator Program assumed ~1,100 open cases […]
Maui Beaches Hammered by Storms, Erosion Worsening Across South and West Coasts
A series of storms and an unusually active Pacific hurricane season have accelerated coastal erosion on Maui, leaving portions of beach parks roped off and shoreline walkways blocked. Experts warn that ongoing El Niño conditions could make recovery even harder heading into next year. South Maui and West Maui beaches have been hit hardest, with […]
Maui Council Greenlights Upcountry Water Wells Agreement with Hawaiian Home Lands
The Maui County Council passed on first reading a bill authorizing a deal with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to build three water wells in Waiʻōhuli, potentially yielding up to 1.728 million gallons per day. The six-year project has drawn scrutiny over whether water will actually reach Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries or be […]
South Maui Growth Plan Stalls Again Over Infrastructure and Density Concerns
The Maui County Council is unlikely to finalize the South Maui Community Plan before the current council term ends, as residents and lawmakers clash over developer-friendly provisions and unresolved infrastructure gaps. Key disputes involve affordable housing requirements, evacuation routes, flooding, and water availability in Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, and Māʻalaea. The South Maui Community Plan, already […]
Hawaii Supreme Court Clears Path for $1.1B in Maui Fire Victim Payments
Multiple outlets reported that the Hawaii Supreme Court unanimously upheld Maui Circuit Judge Peter Cahill’s attorney fee structure for the $4 billion Lahaina wildfire settlement, rejecting an appeal brought by three attorneys and one fire victim. The ruling removes the final legal obstacle to releasing approximately $1.1 billion already held in trust to roughly 21,750 […]
Waiko Industrial Brush Fire Contained After Less Than an Hour
Multiple Maui County Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) alerts reported a brush fire near E. Waiko Road and Kuihelani Highway in the Waiko Industrial area on October 2, 2026. The fire was reported at 4:04 PM and confirmed contained by command at 4:55 PM. MEMA continues to monitor the situation and asks the public to avoid […]
99th Maui County Fair Runs Through Sunday at War Memorial Complex
Multiple sources report that the 99th Maui County Fair opened this week at the War Memorial Stadium Complex in Wailuku, drawing thousands of attendees on opening night. The four-day event, running October 1–4, marks the fair’s second year back after a six-year hiatus, with Mayor Richard Bissen credited with spearheading its revival. The 99th Maui […]
Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Housing Case Management Starting Oct. 1
Maui County launched its Housing Navigator Program on October 1, taking over disaster case management for wildfire-displaced families from the State of Hawaii. Contractor BDO, MEO, and Hawaiian Council will jointly deliver services, with all current participants expected to be contacted by October 23. The County of Maui’s new Housing Navigator Program officially replaced the […]