#Maui County
Court ruling protects recovery funds for Maui Wildfire survivors
Gov. Josh Green welcomed a court ruling that limits attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement claims, calling the decision an important step toward ensuring more recovery funds reach survivors and families directly impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires.
Polls show incumbent Bissen, challenger Sugimura dueling for top spot in 10-candidate mayoral primary race
Sugimura has a lead of more than 10 points in two polls, but Bissen’s camp says its polling shows him with a 6-point lead.
Costliest repairs to Lahaina Harbor still ahead as dredging gets underway
More than $20 million worth of projects are left to be completed at the harbor, including work on the piers and dinghy dock that cost $8 million and are expected to start this year.
State reminds residents to apply for disaster-related unemployment assistance as deadline approaches
Eligible individuals will receive a minimum of $346 and up to $868 for the weeks beginning March 15, 2026, through the week ending Oct. 10, 2026. The deadline to file a DUA claim is June 15, 2026, which is 60 days from the federal disaster declaration.
Kona Low storms drenched Maui County; second wettest season in 30 years
Maui County logged its second wettest season in 30 years during the 2025–2026 wet season. Rainfall totals ran 100 to 250% of average across most of the county and catastrophic flooding hit multiple areas statewide, according to a summary released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Family of Maui patient evacuated to O‘ahu after storm scrambles to relocate him again
Clayton Kim says the hospital where his son Brent Kim was temporarily transferred can no longer provide care for his disabled son.
For many sinkholes left by March storms on Maui County roads, cost and timeline for repairs unclear
Some, like the sinkhole on South Kīhei Road, are expected to take several months to fix, while others may not be completed until next year as the county seeks emergency federal funding.
HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines
Hawaiian Electric started work this week to replace wooden poles with steel and composite fiberglass on a key stretch of Honoapi’ilani Highway that it calls the “first targeted area of critical pole hardening.”
Maui Council committee forwards Pāʻia Town project to the Maui Planning Commission
A mixed-use development proposed for 40 acres of former sugarcane land near Pāʻia won committee approval Wednesday, moving a project that would bring up to 170 homes, commercial businesses, a medical clinic and a public parking lot to the next stage of a years-long entitlement process.
‘Historic opportunity’: County plans to acquire Maui Land & Pineapple’s water system in West Maui
The two sides have reached a tentative agreement, but a price still needs to be negotiated and the council must approve it, with the chair saying it’s “not a done deal.”
Expansion plans of Lāna‘i luxury resort are economic win to some residents, cultural loss to others
Pūlama Lāna’i, the management company owned by billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, wants to rezone about 170 acres to urban land and build nine villas and five more spa units for Sensei Lāna’i.
Lahaina fire survivors urged to apply for housing rebuild programs as August deadline approaches
Property owners whose homes were destroyed by the Lahaina fire in 2023 have until Aug. 31 to apply for reconstruction and reimbursement programs.
Maui fire survivors to see settlement money, but ‘not better off,’ economist says
Wildfire survivors in Maui County can expect to receive settlement money for the first time this year. However, economists say the payments won’t make most families whole, especially as higher electricity bills and gas prices intensify pressure on households still rebuilding their lives.
Lahaina school rebuild gets nearly $200M, wildfire study misses out on funding
Maui Health also got funding in the budget as the legislative session closed last week, but lawmakers think it won’t be enough for repairs to the storm-damaged Kula Hospital.
Maui unsheltered homeless jumps 40% as overall numbers remain flat, new count shows
Unsheltered homelessness on Maui climbed 40% while overall numbers remained essentially flat, according to results from the 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count released Wednesday.
Free fall prevention workshop coming to Kīhei May 19
A Kīhei-based home care agency is hosting a free community workshop this month focused on one of the most serious health risks facing older adults—falls. Ohana Care Maui will present the May installment of its ongoing speaker series on from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 19 at Kalama Heights, 101 Kanani Road, Kīhei. A question-and-answer […]
Pā‘ia Mantokuji given another year to find a fix for erosion threatening Buddhist temple, nearby graves
The century-old temple on Maui’s north shore is looking into sand replenishment or an offshore artificial reef to curb the waves before the building and graves are lost to the sea, but neither solution is quick or cheap.
Maui County launches redesigned website with new features, AI chatbot
Maui County has partnered with technology vendor CivicPlus to launch a redesigned version of its primary website, www.mauicounty.gov, featuring a new layout, an artificial intelligence-based chatbot and improved self-service tools.
Federal disaster aid available for Kona storm victims on Maui; deadlines approaching
County officials are urging residents and business owners affected by March’s Kona low storms to take advantage of federal disaster assistance programs before key application deadlines pass.
Workshop set for May 7 on historic district hurdles for Lahaina commercial properties
A free workshop focused on the unique challenges of rebuilding within Lahaina’s historic districts is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall. The Commercial Property Workshop: Historic District Recovery, hosted by the Maui County Office of Recovery, is geared toward commercial property owners in Lahaina Historic […]
