#West Maui

“Whose Future?” draws solely from the public record to tell the story of how the community sought to shape its own land use future. This narrative gains renewed relevance in light of the tragic August 2023 fire, as West Maui faces complex decisions around disaster relief and rebuilding.

Members of the Central East Maui Little League enjoyed the Westin Maui’s new Social Space on Saturday. The hometown heroes were among the first to experience the resort’s cutting-edge social space in celebration of a successful season that advanced them all the way to the Little League World Series tournament.

Maui United Way announced the launch of its Mā’ona Food Security Grant, a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing food insecurity challenges faced by residents of Maui County.

More than 100 coral fragments were rescued from the bay over a year ago and coaxed back to life in the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute’s saltwater tanks.

Registration is open and subsidy assistance is available for enrollment in child care programs in West Maui, following the opening of three classrooms dedicated to child care and supported by the County of Maui through the West Maui Early Childhood Collective.

In honor of the Maui wildfire remembrance of Aug. 8, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas installed a Kapa Kuiki Quilt, in their hotel lobby. The 16 panels that make up the quilt, tell stories of the history of Lahaina in a design by artists of ʻohana o Pūnana Leo o Maui. The Westin Nanea obtained the Lahaina tribute quilt in an auction at the most recent Ho‘omau event and installed the piece of symbolism for public display on the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires.

“I’ve never said any race is a given,” West Maui state Rep. Elle Cochran said Saturday night. “A race is a race and people need options and I believe in all that. And who knows? I mean our whole town has been torn upside down. I don’t know where people’s heads are at or what they’re thinking. We’re just so divided right now. I mean really, our town is very divided.”

“It’s going to be a long process,” said Kā‘eo Blas, reflecting on one year since a fire burned down his home and much of Lahaina town. “Sometimes you think it gets better but it’s always there. It’s like losing somebody you love. You still get the memories, they’re still in your heart, but they’re not there. It’s not the same.”

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali has expanded its commitment to wellness with a new partnership with Aloha Fitness Maui.

A wave of opposition has been building from vacation rental owners and property managers to Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed phase-out of an estimated 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts in Maui County.

“I have family on this side able to take me in because if not I would probably be on the Mainland.” – Ivy Navarro, Lahainaluna alum

Maui Preparatory Academy has announced an upcoming financial aid benefit, “Fly Pueo, Fly,” scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

After the devastating wildfires, her nonprofit partnered with many others in the community to provide relief efforts and is currently focused on affordable housing solutions in West Maui.  Nishiki will update members and guests on these efforts in West Maui.

Drivers should expect traffic delays and road closures on Sunday, April 21 until approximately 1:30 p.m. for the 54th annual Maui Marathon. Significant traffic delays and stops will occur, specifically on Highway 30 between Māʻalaea and Wailuku, from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Organizers say this reclamation of housing inventory would directly address the pressing need for homes and remedy the housing crisis in the community with 3,000 people still living in the hotels. 

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa along Kāʻanapali Beach has announced the launch of Nashville Nights, a once-a-month songwriter’s series featuring a lineup of talented artists from Music City. The series takes place over the next six months and features a unique opportunity for guests to experience the magic behind the music. The inaugural show is scheduled for April 27, 2024, with performances by artists Gracee Shriver and Noel Bisesti.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali marks the completion of its multi-year, $160 million transformation with the complete renovation and rebranding of the Ocean Tower into Kūkahi Tower.

A bill that seeks to establish a nine-member Lele Community District Board to facilitate rebuilding decisions for the post-wildfire Lahaina area of West Maui, is scheduled for key committee decision making on Wednesday.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will host the March edition of its “Know Your Ocean Speaker Series” featuring Andrea Kealoha, assistant professor of the Department of Oceanography at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, on Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The Maui County Council advanced two affordable housing projects on first reading Friday and referred a third to the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee for further review.