#Upcountry Maui

Surrounded by supporters on May 18, 2026, Keoni Kuoha formally announced his candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 12, representing the Maui communities of Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Kula, Pūlehu, ʻUlupalakua, Kanaio and Kahikinui.

To maintain reliable service, Hawaiian Electric crews will be performing work along Piʻilani-Kula Highway near ʻUlupalakua Ranch Road at both intersections between mile markers 15 and 17 in Upcountry Maui on Tuesday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget on first reading Friday, approving a contested shoreline stabilization grant after a lengthy discussion and splitting 5-4 on election-year spending limits on the mayor’s office.

The Maui County Council will take up a $1.6 billion budget Friday morning, following a committee recommendation to trim Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal by reducing capital improvement projects while still increasing funding for day-to-day operations.

The Waihe’e Villager and Kula Islander each see fewer than five riders per hour. Maui County hopes switching these routes to microtransit, which is like a hybrid between Uber and a public bus, will increase efficiency and cut wait times.

The Upcountry Winter Fest presented by the Kekaulike High School Foundation is returning this year, bringing a sparkling array of winter activities, live entertainment, and seasonal delights to Upcountry, Maui.

A Nov. 15 event in Makawao will celebrate the launch of the Makawao Story Map, a new multimedia platform that brings the town’s rich history to life online and through virtually-guided tours of local landmarks.

Following recent rainfall that improved surface water flows and replenished reservoirs, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply is suspending the Stage 3 Upcountry water shortage alert and downgrading it to Stage 2, effective immediately and until further notice.

Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura issued a reminder about tonight’s community meeting focused on Upcountry water source development. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani.

With a Stage 3 water shortage in effect for Upcountry areas, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply is providing additional information.

Night work is scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Upcountry, Maui.

ʻUlupalakua Ranch will host its second annual Christmas in the Country community celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13, bringing together Maui residents and visitors for a full day of holiday spirit, community gathering and country fun. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is now using backup supply for the Upcountry water system starting today, Sept. 11, 2025, after receiving approval by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch to reintroduce water from Hamakuapoko Wells 1 and 2.

Due to existing and projected water shortages, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply will introduce backup supply to the Upcountry water system that serves Upper and Lower Kula, Makawao, Pukalani, Hāliʻimaile and Haʻikū on or around Sept. 5, 2025.

The event unfolds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Kēōkea Marketplace, a quarter mile past Grandma’s Coffee House.

Pukalani Terrace Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Maui will host a back-to-school supply drive on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

With weather conditions improving, Hawaiian Electric has ended its Public Safety Power Shutoff watch, which had been in effect for Maui and Hawaiʻi Island since Saturday.

Hawaiian Electric has restored electricity to all affected customers, about 330 in parts of Upcountry Maui, impacted by its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. Overnight crews and additional personnel who have been working since 6 a.m. completed inspections of the circuits enabling all customers to be restored. If hazardous conditions suddenly return, it may be necessary to shut off the power in identified PSPS areas on Maui and Hawai‘i Island to reduce the risk of a wildfire.

Seabury Hall’s annual summer program is now accepting registrations for students entering grades 1–12 in Fall 2025.

Hawaiian Electric will continue to use unmanned aircraft, or drones, for aerial inspections of its infrastructure in various areas of Upcountry Maui on weekdays throughout the month of April, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. The inspections will take place in parts of Olinda, Piʻiholo, Kula, Kēōkea and ʻUlupalakua.