Tag: Maui fire

Mala Ocean Tavern Draws Visitors Back to Lahaina’s Front Street

Mala Ocean Tavern, the first restaurant to reopen on Lahaina’s Front Street after the 2023 fire, is drawing strong visitor interest and recently won Best Maui Restaurant in Honolulu Magazine’s 2026 Hale Aina Awards. The oceanfront spot is helping anchor West Maui’s commercial recovery for tourists. Mala Ocean Tavern reopened February 1, 2024, becoming the […]

ʻĪao Theater to Close Months in 2027 for $3.8M County Roof Repair

Maui County has budgeted $3.8 million to restore the roof of the historic ʻĪao Theater, forcing Maui OnStage to go dark for several months sometime in 2027. The organization is planning alternate venues and holding a Sept. 26 fundraiser to offset lost revenue during the closure. Maui County will spend approximately $3.8 million repairing the […]

Lahaina Youth Ocean Nonprofit Seeks $18K to Repair Hurricane Damage

Kahākūkahi Ocean Academy, a Lahaina-based youth nonprofit, is fundraising $18,000 to repair classroom and solar panel damage caused by hurricanes Lala and Lowell. The organization aims to complete repairs before fall youth programs resume later this month. Hurricanes Lala and Lowell damaged KOA’s waterfront classroom, solar array, and outrigger canoe in Lahaina. Two anonymous donors […]

Hawaii Delegation Pushes USPS to Restore Home Mail Delivery in Rebuilt Lahaina

Hawaii’s Congressional delegation sent a formal letter demanding the U.S. Postal Service reverse its policy of treating rebuilt Lahaina homes as new developments, which has blocked residents from receiving direct mail delivery. The delegation also opposes a study that could permanently close the Downtown Lahaina Post Office. USPS has been routing mail to centralized community […]

Kula Hospital Storm Repairs Ongoing, No Reopening Timeline Set

Kula Hospital’s long-term care facility and emergency department remain closed following March Kona low storm damage, with no timetable announced for repairs or reopening. Displaced patients are being temporarily housed at other Maui facilities and on Oahu. Maui Health and the state are still assessing how to repair and reopen storm-damaged sections of Kula Hospital […]

Upcountry Maui Water Conservation Request in Effect Through Early November

Maui County is asking Upcountry Maui water customers to reduce usage while the Kamole Water Treatment Plant undergoes a 6–8 week membrane retrofit upgrade. Available treatment capacity will be temporarily reduced until the plant returns to service around early November. The Kamole Water Treatment Plant is offline for upgrades, reducing Upcountry Maui water system capacity […]

Hawaii Delegation Presses USPS to Restore Home Mail Delivery in Rebuilt Lahaina

Multiple outlets report that Hawaii’s full congressional delegation has sent a joint letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding the reinstatement of direct home mail delivery to rebuilt Lahaina properties. The delegation objects to USPS classifying reconstructed homes as ‘new developments,’ which would route residents to centralized community mailboxes rather than restoring pre-fire delivery. Lawmakers […]

West Maui Youth Ocean Program Needs $18K After Hurricane Damage

Kahākūkahi Ocean Academy, a nonprofit serving Lahaina children since the 2023 wildfire, sustained storm damage to classrooms, solar equipment, and an outrigger canoe during Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. The organization is fundraising $18,000 to complete repairs before fall programs begin. Hurricanes Lala and Lowell damaged classrooms, a solar system, and an outrigger canoe at the […]

Maui Fire Dept Receives $29,500 Grant for Wildfire Equipment

Hawaiʻi Water Service awarded nearly $29,500 to Maui County’s fire department to purchase portable high-pressure pumps and thermal cameras for wildfire response. The funding comes from a new grant program and does not impact customer water rates. Maui County’s fire department will use the grant to acquire seven portable high-pressure pumps and seven thermal cameras […]

West Maui Youth Ocean Program Needs $18K to Fix Hurricane Damage

Kahakukahi Ocean Academy, a free ocean education nonprofit serving Lahaina youth since the 2023 wildfires, sustained damage to its West Maui facility from hurricanes Lala and Lowell and is fundraising $18,000 to restore operations before fall school groups arrive. Hurricanes Lala and Lowell damaged KOA’s classrooms, solar system, and outrigger canoe at its West Maui […]