Maui Helicopter Tours Shift Toward Private Charters and Immersive Experiences
Maui’s helicopter tourism market is moving away from shared sightseeing routes toward private, customizable charters and immersive add-ons like doors-off flights and rainforest landings. Operators are increasingly marketing these premium experiences to high-end visitors seeking personalized aerial itineraries. Private helicopter charters are the fastest-growing segment, with groups able to customize routes, timing, and special-occasion elements. […]
Federal Funds Bring $25M in Maui Grid Resilience and Hazard Upgrades
Hawaii has secured $18.5 million in federal funding to support $25 million in electrical grid resilience projects across Maui, Hawaii Island, and Oahu, with completion expected between 2027 and 2029. Projects include West Maui grid hazard mapping, energy system modernization, and Critical Customer Hubs in Lahaina to keep essential facilities running during outages. Five projects […]
Maui July 2026 Visitor Arrivals and Spending Both Rise ~5.7% Year-Over-Year
Maui welcomed nearly 248,000 visitors in July 2026, a 5.6% increase over July 2025, with visitor spending up 5.7% to $539.9 million. The island has recovered to 83.4% of pre-wildfire July 2023 visitor levels. July 2026 saw 247,857 visitors to Maui, up 5.6% from July 2025, with spending rising to $539.9 million (+5.7%). For the […]
New Research Tracks Lasting Health Impacts on Lahaina Fire Survivors
Three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, new research indicates the disaster’s toll extends well beyond immediate casualties and property loss, with survivors continuing to face significant health and financial hardships. A landmark study is tracking long-term physical and mental health effects on Maui wildfire survivors, with findings suggesting impacts far beyond initial casualties. Many […]
West Maui to Get Its First Recycling Center with $3.6M Federal Grant
The County of Maui has been awarded a $3.6 million EPA grant to build West Maui’s first waste collection center, accepting recyclables, green waste, and bulky items. The project has a three-year timeline from land acquisition to opening. The EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant will fund land purchase and construction of a drop-off […]
UH Scores $538K to Record Lahaina Survivor Stories and Maui History
The University of Hawaii’s Center for Oral History has received four grants totaling $538,000 to document Lahaina wildfire experiences, water history, and women’s histories on Maui. Projects will produce hundreds of recorded interviews and digital archives through 2029. The largest grant — $250,000 from the Maui Strong Fund — will fund up to 100 hours […]
Three Years Out: Only 25% of Lahaina Homes Rebuilt, Full Recovery Still Years Away
A data analysis of Maui County building permits finds roughly one quarter of single-family homes destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fire have been rebuilt, with full recovery potentially still four years away. Multi-family construction is further along at 38% completion, though the majority of those units stem from a single pre-fire development. About 25% of […]
Hawaii’s $20B State Budget Allocates $200M for Maui Wildfire Recovery
Hawaii’s executive operating budget includes $200 million designated for Maui wildfire recovery efforts, including rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary School. The budget was shaped by revenue losses, federal funding cuts, and ongoing climate disaster costs. $200 million in state funds has been directed toward Maui wildfire recovery within Hawaii’s $20.32 billion operating budget. Rebuilding King […]
Kahua Card Program Highlights Maui’s Ongoing Long-Term Recovery Needs
Nearly three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, a local community card program called Kahua is helping displaced residents as long-term recovery continues well beyond the initial emergency relief phase. New research shows persistent mental health, housing, and financial challenges among fire survivors. Over 70% of displaced Maui residents in temporary housing have remained in […]
UHERO: Maui Fire Survivors Gain Housing Ground But Jobs and Income Still Lag
Multiple news outlets covered the release of a new University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) report marking three years since the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The report, based on the ongoing Maui Recovery Survey, finds meaningful progress in housing stability but persistent gaps in employment, household income, and financial assistance for fire-affected residents. About […]