County Reopens Ukumehame Firing Range Following March Storm Damage Repairs
The Ukumehame Firing Range has reopened after being closed for months due to flood damage from March Kona low storms. Multiple sources reported that the County of Maui completed extensive repairs to damaged berms and surrounding areas. The facility reopened on Friday, June 5, 2026, after being closed since March due to storm damage Back-to-back […]
Maui Mayor Race Features Debate Over Short-Term Rental Housing Policy
The 2026 Maui mayoral election includes incumbent Richard Bissen and County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura, with short-term rental conversion to affordable housing emerging as a key campaign issue. Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen faces County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura and other candidates in the mayoral race. Short-term rental conversion to address affordable housing shortages […]
Federal Agencies Crack Down on Laser Attacks as Maui Resident Faces Jail
Multiple news sources report on federal enforcement efforts against aircraft laser incidents following a Maui man’s guilty plea. Jesse Kong, 30, awaits sentencing after admitting to providing a laser pointer used to target a federal aircraft. Jesse Kong, 30, of Maui pleaded guilty April 15, 2026 to being an accessory after the fact to a […]
FEMA Updates Housing Rules, 569 Rebuild Permits Issued for Fire Survivors
FEMA released new guidance on temporary housing payments and maintenance requirements for wildfire survivors, while 569 rebuild permits have been issued with 310 homes currently under construction. A Housing & Resource Fair will be held June 6 at Royal Lahaina Resort to connect survivors with housing programs and rental listings. FEMA temporary housing residents must […]
Oahu Woman Sues City Over $600K Fine for Accidental STR Advertisement
An 83-year-old Oahu property owner is challenging $600,000 in fines from Honolulu for accidentally advertising her rental as a short-term rental due to platform errors. The case highlights enforcement of the city’s 2019 law that allows daily fines up to $10,000 just for advertising illegal STRs. Honolulu can fine property owners up to $10,000 per […]
Maui Council Advances Bill That Could Preserve Thousands of Vacation Rentals
Multiple sources report that the Maui County Council is considering legislation that could allow thousands of vacation rentals previously slated for phase-out to continue operating through new hotel zoning designations. The Committee on Housing and Land Use voted 6-to-1 in favor of the measure this week, despite opposition from local planning commissions. Bill 88 would […]
Council Committee Advances New Hotel Zones for Vacation Rental Properties
Maui County Council’s Housing Committee voted 6-1 to advance new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning districts for 4,500 grandfathered vacation rentals, overriding planning commissions’ recommendations for denial. The new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning categories would provide a pathway for 4,500 vacation rentals on the Minatoya List to seek hotel zoning. All three county planning […]
Maui County Advances $30M Tax Increase on Short-Term Rentals
Maui County Council moved forward with plans to increase property taxes by $30 million, targeting short-term rentals, non-owner-occupied homes, and timeshares while reducing taxes on owner-occupied and long-term rental properties. Maui County Council approved a $30 million property tax increase affecting short-term rentals, non-owner-occupied homes, timeshares, and some bed-and-breakfast properties. The plan reduces taxes on […]
Mayoral Candidate Vows to Repeal STR Phase-Out Law, Cut Property Taxes
Former Planning Commission chair Denise La Costa is running for mayor promising to repeal Bill 9 that phases out vacation rentals in apartment districts, plus cut various county taxes and fees. La Costa wants to repeal Bill 9, which phases out vacation rentals from apartment districts over 3-5 years. She claims repealing the STR phase-out […]
Maui County Signs Deal to Acquire West Maui Water Infrastructure
Multiple sources report that Maui County has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire key West Maui water systems. The agreement comes after a year of negotiations and represents the first phase of a broader effort to transition water resources from private to public ownership. The MOU would increase […]