Hawaii Supreme Court Voids Maui’s SMA Permit Exemption Rules
The Hawaii Supreme Court struck down Maui Planning Commission rules that had exempted certain construction and renovation projects near the shoreline from requiring Special Management Area permits. The court found the exemptions violated the Coastal Zone Management Act by bypassing required case-by-case environmental review. The court ruled that Maui’s 2024 categorical permit exemptions for SMA […]
Maui Unemployment Ticks Up to 3.2% in June; Leisure & Hospitality Sheds Jobs
Maui County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in June 2026, up from 2.5% in May, mirroring a statewide uptick. Leisure and hospitality was the hardest-hit sector across Hawaii, losing 1,800 jobs during the month. Maui County unemployment climbed to 3.2% in June, slightly above the 3.1% recorded in June 2025. Leisure & Hospitality shed 1,800 […]
Iao Valley Remains Closed Indefinitely; Kepaniwai Gardens Open as Alternative
Iao Valley State Monument is closed until further notice due to ongoing repairs, with no confirmed reopening date. Nearby Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens has reopened and offers visitors a partial alternative in the same valley. Iao Valley State Monument is closed indefinitely — the previously posted July 24 reopening date has been replaced with ‘until further […]
Wailea Golf Courts Family Travelers as U.S. Golf Participation Surges
Multiple outlets report on Wailea Golf’s growing appeal as a family-friendly destination, set against a backdrop of record U.S. golf participation. The National Golf Foundation notes the sport’s participant base has grown 41% over the past six years, with family play identified as a key driver of that growth. More than 48 million Americans age […]
Maui Named Among Top U.S. Staycation Destinations as Domestic Travel Rises
A domestic travel surge is driving stronger visitor demand at U.S. beach and leisure destinations, with Maui listed among the top spots benefiting from Americans choosing shorter, closer-to-home trips over international travel. Americans are increasingly opting for domestic short trips over long-haul international holidays, boosting demand at coastal and resort destinations. Maui is cited alongside […]
Maui Ranks Top 5 in U.S. Domestic Travel Search Demand
A study analyzing Google search trends over the past 12 months ranked Maui among the top five most-searched domestic staycation destinations in the U.S. Key West led the list, followed by Yosemite, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks, and Maui. Maui placed in the top five most-searched U.S. staycation destinations based on Google search volume data […]
West Maui Hotel Rates Now Among Hawaii’s Most Competitive, State Data Shows
West Maui resort room rates have shifted notably compared to other Hawaii destinations, with May 2026 averages at $412/night — well below Wailea’s $665. The area that once commanded premium pricing is now more competitively positioned against other island markets. West Maui’s average hotel room rate was $412/night in May 2026, making it cheaper than […]
Hawaii Resorts Launch Golf Initiative After PGA Tour Drops Maui, Oahu Events
Twelve Hawaii golf resorts have formed ‘Play Hawaii Golf,’ a global marketing push to promote the state’s 70 courses after the PGA Tour canceled its Maui and Oahu tournaments. The PGA Tour’s shift to a for-profit model and focus on major markets drove the decision to drop Hawaii from its schedule. Twelve premier Hawaii golf […]
Free Immersive Cultural Film Screening at Maui Ocean Center July 10
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is hosting a free 360-degree film about the history of Mokuʻula at Maui Ocean Center’s The Sphere on July 10 at 6 p.m. Reservations are required but admission and parking are free. The immersive film experience ‘E Hoʻi Ka Nani I Mokuʻula’ screens Friday, July 10, 2026 at 6 p.m. at […]
Hawaii Visitors Spending More Per Day But Cutting Trips Shorter
May 2026 Hawaii visitor data shows total spending and daily spend both rose year-over-year, but average trip length dropped 10.3%—from 8.47 to 7.60 days—across nearly every major visitor market. The trend suggests travelers are trading vacation length for affordability rather than skipping Hawaii altogether. Statewide visitor spending rose 5.3% to $1.77 billion in May 2026, […]