Annual Kaanapali Canoe Festival Draws Visitors with Rare Cultural Experience
The Waa Kiakahi Canoe Festival, now in its 20th year, takes place each June in Kaanapali and gives visitors a chance to witness and participate in traditional Hawaiian sailing canoe racing. The event is sponsored by the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association as a way to offer guests authentic cultural programming. The Waa Kiakahi Canoe Festival […]
Selenium Found in Makawao Water Supply, Levels Far Below Safety Limits
Maui County detected trace amounts of selenium in the Makawao water system during routine testing, with confirmed levels of 3.7–4.9 micrograms per liter. The EPA’s maximum contaminant level is 50 micrograms per liter, meaning current levels pose no regulatory concern. Selenium was detected for the first time in the Makawao water system, confirmed by follow-up […]
South Kihei Road Closure Hits Month Four, Businesses Report 50% Sales Drop
A sinkhole-caused closure of South Kihei Road near Kamaʻole Beach Park II has entered its fourth month, with local businesses reporting sales down 30–50% and some shutting permanently. County repairs are slightly ahead of schedule, with reopening targeted for late August. South Kihei Road has been closed since March after Kona Low storms caused a […]
Free Manta Ray Documentary Screening at Four Seasons Wailea on July 24
The Surfrider Foundation’s Maui Chapter is hosting a free public screening of ‘The Last Dive,’ a manta ray conservation documentary, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on July 24. Doors open at 5 p.m. and a Q&A with the director and marine researchers follows the film. The free event takes place July 24 […]
Māliko Bay Boat Ramp Restoration Effort Launches on Maui’s North Shore
A new nonprofit, Nā Maka o Māliko, has taken on a 50-year lease to restore the deteriorated Māliko Bay boat ramp, which was further damaged by March 2026 Kona low storms. The County of Maui has issued a $15,000 cleanup grant, while the full restoration is estimated at $1 million. The Māliko Bay boat ramp, […]
Makawao Water Outage Hits Apau Place for ~3 Hours July 9
An emergency mainline break is causing a roughly 3-hour water service outage on Apau Place in Makawao starting at 8:45 a.m. on July 9. Approximately 15 residences are affected. A mainline break triggered emergency repairs, cutting water service to Apau Place in Makawao. The outage began at 8:45 a.m. on July 9 and is expected […]
Kapalua Golf Owner Commits $500K More to West Maui Watershed Preserve
Tadashi Yanai, owner of Kapalua Golf, donated $500,000 to the Aloha Puʻu Kukui nonprofit, bringing his total giving to the West Maui watershed to $1.5 million since 2024. Funds support invasive species removal and native reforestation across the 8,661-acre Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve. The Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve is a critical source of groundwater for […]
East Maui Water Outage Continues After Second Leak Found in Koali
A water line break in the Koali area of East Maui caused an outage starting at 9 p.m. on July 3, and after initial repairs, a second leak was discovered with no confirmed restoration time. About 30 residences are affected, with a water buffalo stationed nearby for potable water access. A second leak was found […]
East Maui Ditch System’s Future Unresolved as New Land Board Chair Takes Over
A dispute over who should manage East Maui’s century-old ditch system — which supplies water to Upcountry and Central Maui — remains unresolved after more than seven months of failed negotiations between the East Maui Water Authority and farming operation Mahi Pono. A new BLNR chair took over this week, and the issue may appear […]
Maui Planning Commission Delays Makena State Park Expansion Permit
The Maui Planning Commission deferred a decision on a facilities expansion permit for Makena State Park after public testimony raised concerns about sea turtle nesting, water quality, and safety. A follow-up public hearing is scheduled for July 14. The state DLNR is seeking a special management area permit to add permanent restrooms, showers, and expanded […]