#Maui Now
County of Maui to launch four new, all-electric transit buses in January
Four new, all-electric transit buses will be rolling out for driver training next week and for official Maui Bus passenger service starting the week of Jan. 5, 2026, the County of Maui Department of Transportation announced.
Hawaiʻi to restrict soda purchases under SNAP in 2026; local groups oppose
Hawaiʻi is among six states approved by the US Department of Agriculture to impose new restrictions on food purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a change that will limit what SNAP recipients can buy beginning in 2026.
Gov. Green announces appointments to boards and commissions
Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday announced several appointments and reappointments to state boards and commissions, bringing experience in water resource management, ethics, agriculture and community development to state service.
Imua Family Services to debut ‘Be Reel Child and Youth Film Festival’ in May 2026
Imua Family Services has announced the launch of the Be Reel Child & Youth Film Festival. The three-day film festival “created for kids, about kids and by kids” is set to debut in May 2026.
Nāpili Kai welcomes slack key show for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve
The Slack Key Show – Masters of Hawaiian Music will mark the holiday season with two special performances at the open-air Aloha Pavilion at the Nāpili Kai Beach Resort: a Christmas Eve concert featuring Herb Ohta Jr. and Jon Yamasato, and a New Year’s Eve warm-up show showcasing Da Tree Podagee.
Hawaiʻi State FCU opens applications for 2026-27 scholarship program
Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union has announced that applications are now open for its 2026–2027 Scholarship Program, which will award financial assistance to Hawaiʻi students pursuing higher education or vocational training.
Special Olympics Maui to host annual golf tournament fundraiser Jan. 31
Special Olympics Maui will hold its Annual Golf Tournament and Helicopter Golf Ball Drop fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at The Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course.
Mālama Maunalua awarded $4.6M grant for community-led ridge-to-reef restoration
Mālama Maunalua announced it has received a $4.6 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund to implement the next phase of its community-led, ridge-to-reef restoration strategy for Maunalua Bay.
Volunteers replant Keawaiki Park at Lahaina Harbor with native plants
On Dec. 6, representatives from the three Lahaina Rotary Clubs, Treecovery, and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation came together to replant Keawaiki Park with native Hawaiian trees, groundcover and vines.
Westin Maui announces New Year’s Eve event and midnight drone show
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali is hosting an exclusive New Year’s Eve Soirée featuring live entertainment, special food and beverage offerings and a midnight drone show. The event is open to guests ages 21 and older.
Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi names Dave Erdman interim president and CEO
Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi announced Tuesday that Dave Erdman has been appointed interim president and chief executive officer, effective January 2026.
Hawaiʻi State Energy Office to launch contractor training program in 2026
The program will provide hands-on training and nationally recognized certifications for contractors, builders and tradespeople across Hawai‘i.
UH: $2M Moore Foundation grant backs new postdoctoral science fellowship
Eleven emerging scientists will soon take on some of Hawaiʻi’s most urgent environmental and scientific challenges through a new University of Hawaiʻi systemwide postdoctoral fellowship program, funded by a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Rep. Ed Case introduces bill to expand duty-free trade with Pacific Island nations
US Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening economic partnerships between the United States and Pacific Island countries.
Atelier Gallery to open new exhibition in Wailea featuring Maui-based artists
Atelier Gallery in Wailea will open a new exhibition, “Weavers of Enchantment,” on Dec. 27, featuring work by Maui-based artists Carolina Manchester, Christina DeHoff and Stephanie Sachs. The exhibition will run through Jan. 31.
Lawmakers cite Haleakalā impacts in call to address National Park staffing
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI-01), is urging Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to address staff shortages at national parks and refrain from further workforce reductions, citing impacts on visitor safety, park operations and economies of neighboring “gateway” communities.
If quitting smoking or vaping is a New Year’s resolution, these Hawaiʻi resources may help
As 2026 begins, health officials encourage residents to take advantage of free cessation resources offered statewide, such as the Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline and My Life, My Quit programs.
MEO 2026 Gala honoring state Sen. Troy Hashimoto sold out
Maui Economic Opportunity’s 2026 Gala, which honors state Sen. Troy Hashimoto, is sold out.
Hawaiʻi nonprofit among 35 nationwide to receive major youth mental health grant
Hale Kipa has been selected as one of 35 organizations nationwide to receive a grant from the Decolonizing Wealth Project’s inaugural Youth Mental Health Fund, which supports culturally grounded mental health services for young people and families.
Indie folk artist John Craigie to perform at the MACC Feb. 28
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center will present indie folk singer-songwriter John Craigie in concert in the McCoy Studio Theater, on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
