Kaanapali Beach Lifeguard Tower Plans Move Forward After Missing Tourist
A missing North Carolina swimmer at Kaanapali Beach has renewed focus on planned lifeguard services for the area. County officials say a lifeguard tower design is underway after securing private property permissions. A 75-year-old North Carolina visitor went missing while snorkeling near Black Rock at Kaanapali Resort on May 8. Coast Guard and county rescue […]
Public Input Sought for Planned Lahaina Community Center and Field House
Maui County has launched a virtual platform seeking community feedback on planned recreational facilities in Lahaina. Multiple county announcements detail the public input process running through mid-June. County Department of Parks and Recreation launched website for public comments on upcoming Lahaina community center and field house through June 14, 2026 Virtual open house seeks input […]
Officials Warn Property Owners: Prepare for Active Hurricane Season
State and county officials are urging Hawaii residents to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season, which begins June 1, with multiple sources reporting warnings of increased storm activity. NOAA forecasters predict 5-13 tropical cyclones due to developing El Niño conditions, compared to the typical 4-5 storms per year. NOAA predicts 5-13 tropical cyclones this season […]
Big Island Approves New Property Tax Structure Targeting High-Value Homes
The Hawaii County Council has approved new property tax rates for fiscal year 2026-27 that reduce taxes for primary residences while significantly increasing rates for luxury second homes. Multiple sources report the changes are designed to address a $15 million budget shortfall and rising wastewater infrastructure costs. Primary residences and affordable rental housing will see […]
County Approves $240K for Remaining Wildfire Legal Costs
Maui County Council committee approved an additional $240,000 to cover remaining legal fees from wildfire litigation after insurance coverage gap. This closes out the county’s out-of-pocket legal expenses with all future costs covered by insurance. County committee unanimously approved $240,000 to cover outstanding legal fees from 2023 Lahaina wildfire litigation. The cost resulted from a […]
County Committee Postpones Kahului Overnight Parking Ban Decision
Maui County deferred action on a proposed overnight parking ban in Kahului’s industrial area after hearing concerns about impacts on homeless residents. The committee also reviewed changes to water development fees. Bill 49 would ban overnight parking from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on three streets near Kahului businesses. Local businesses requested the ban due […]
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 […]
Hawaii Campaign Finance Law Changes and Training Sessions Held on Maui
Multiple sources reported on recent campaign finance developments affecting Hawaii, including new legislation and training sessions conducted on Maui. The changes involve restrictions on corporate spending in elections and new compliance requirements. Governor Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2471 into law as Act 11, establishing new campaign finance restrictions on corporations and nonprofit organizations (Maui […]
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 […]