Contractor Fraud Draining Lahaina Rebuild Funds, No Criminal Cases Filed
Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors since the 2023 fire. Despite at least 10 police reports and multiple state complaints, no criminal charges, fines, or license revocations have been issued. Individual homeowners have lost between $20,000 and $650,000 to contractors who abandoned projects or […]
Hawaii Secures $18.5M in Federal Funds to Strengthen Grid Resilience on Maui
Multiple sources report that Hawaii has secured $18.5 million in federal funding to support $25 million in electrical grid resilience and hazard mitigation investments across Maui, Hawaii Island, and Oahu. The funding, announced August 31, will back five projects focused on protecting the grid from wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes, with completion targeted between 2027 and […]
Lahaina Community Meeting Set for Sept. 2 With Recovery and Fire Risk Updates
The County of Maui is hosting its monthly Lahaina Community Meeting on September 2, 2026, covering fire risk reduction, housing recovery programs, and a planned recycling center. The meeting will be held in person and livestreamed. The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria and will be livestreamed on the County’s […]
One-Third of Lahaina Fire Survivors Still Lack Permanent Housing as Hurricanes Approach
A new UHERO study finds that three years after the 2023 Maui wildfires, roughly one-third of displaced households still have not secured permanent housing. At the same time, Category 4 Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Lowell are tracking toward Hawaii with potential Labor Day weekend impacts. About one-third of fire-affected households remain without permanent housing […]
FEMA Awards $9.3M to Repair Lahaina-Area Elementary School
FEMA has approved $9.3 million for permanent repairs to King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Maui County as part of a broader $79 million federal disaster recovery allocation. An additional $3.7 million will fund an AI-powered hazard mitigation resource website for Hawaii homeowners. King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Maui County will receive $9.3 million […]
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 […]