Maui Council Committee Advances New Hotel Zoning for Vacation Rentals

Wailea Elua Village Maui — Maui Council Committee Advances New Hotel Zoning for Vacation Rentals | Maui Tom's News

A Maui County Council committee approved Bill 88 to create new H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning categories that could provide a pathway for some vacation rental properties affected by the Bill 9 phase-out. The measure now goes to the full council for consideration. Bill 88 creates H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning categories but does not […]

Council Advances 170-Unit Housing Development Near Congested Paia Town

Paia Town, Maui — Council Advances 170-Unit Housing Development Near Congested Paia Town | Maui Tom's News

Maui County Council committee voted to advance a 170-home development proposal on former sugarcane land near Paia, despite existing traffic and parking issues in the already crowded north shore town. The development would include 120 single-family homes, 50 multi-family units, commercial businesses, and a medical clinic on 40 acres. A 200-stall public parking lot is […]

Maui Tourism Recovery Accelerates Despite Visitor Cost Concerns

Napili Point Resort Maui — Maui Tourism Recovery Accelerates Despite Visitor Cost Concerns | Maui Tom's News

Maui is seeing faster tourism recovery than other Hawaiian islands with 11.5% increase in arrivals and rising hotel occupancy, though visitors are becoming more cost-conscious and planning shorter stays. Maui arrivals increased 11.5% year-over-year by February 2026 with hotel occupancy rising from 71.5% to 78.0%. The Lahaina-Kaanapali-Kapalua corridor saw occupancy climb from 69.2% to 76.3% […]

Maui Vacation Rental Owners May Have Funded Their Own Attack

Maui vacation rental owners who generously donated to wildfire relief may have unwittingly funded lobbying efforts against their own properties. An alarming ethics complaint reveals that funds intended for fire victims were allegedly hijacked by a for-profit group masquerading as a charity. With no financial disclosures and connections to political attacks on vacation rentals, this situation raises serious questions about the integrity of charitable giving. Discover how these property owners became victims of a deceptive scheme and what legal recourse they may have to seek justice.