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 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 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 Prep Girls Golf Team Places Fourth at State Championships
Maui Prep’s girls golf team finished fourth at the state championships, led by senior Sacha Salem who placed 14th individually. The team had won three consecutive league titles before the state tournament. Maui Prep finished fourth at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships held at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. Senior Sacha Salem led […]
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. […]
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. […]
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 County Parks Department Placeholder – No Current News Available
Maui County’s Parks and Recreation department has no current news to report, directing visitors to check press release sections for updates. No specific parks or recreation news is currently available from Maui County. Additional information can be found in department and county press release sections. This appears to be a placeholder message on the county’s […]
War Memorial Stadium Reopens Temporarily for High School Graduations
Mayor Bissen is temporarily opening the closed War Memorial stadium for Maui High and Baldwin High graduation ceremonies on May 17-18, 2026. Expect increased traffic and facility closures in the area during these events. War Memorial stadium will open May 17-18 for two high school graduation ceremonies despite ongoing upgrades. Maui High graduation is May […]