Hotel or housing? Battle drags on over which Maui properties should have short-term rentals banned

From Aug. 14 to 16, 2026, Hurricane Lala passed south of the Hawaiian Island and caused extensive flooding, landslides, property and infrastructure damage and power outages across the state. Visitors who arrived by air service to Hawai‘i during this period were affected by delays and cancellations of interisland and transpacific flights. A week later (Aug. 22 – 24, 2026) Tropical Storm Moke brought heavy rain and wind to parts of Hawai‘i island and East Maui.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience have discovered how Mozambique tilapia regulate prolactin genes to survive extreme salinity, a finding that could help enable brackish water aquaculture and preserve precious freshwater resources.

Nearly 100 supporters gathered at Hanakaʻōʻō, Canoe Beach on Monday as Pāʻele Kiakona officially launched his general election campaign for State House District 14, flanked by union leaders, kūpuna, fire survivors, land stewards, and a former opponent now standing in his corner.

The Department of Human Concerns issued a request for proposals Monday for a program to provide backup power supply during electrical outages to residents who rely on life-sustaining, electrically powered medical equipment, Council Member Kauanoe Batangan announced.

The public is invited to attend a series of public meetings in October in East Maui, North Shore and South Maui for Assessment and Recommendation of the New Special Management Area (SMA) Boundary for the island of Maui, hosted by the County of Maui Planning Department.

Hanalei Elementary School on Kauaʻi will be closed to students and staff today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, due to heavy rain and flooding on Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei River Bridge, preventing safe access to and from the school.

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointments of: (L to R) J. Elise Hannigan to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board (HTSB); Cyrus Johnasen to the state Land Use Commission; and Kristen Lum Brummel to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board.

The Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro continued on Tuesday with the Men’s Round of 64 at Praia de Maresias on the coast of São Paulo. Stop No. 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) 2026 Challenger Series (CS) brings some of the world’s best surfers to the region through Oct. 3. This marks the first time São Paulo has hosted a Challenger Series event. The next call is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 a.m. local time, with a possible 7:35 a.m. start.

Akakū will bring the excitement straight to viewers with a three-hour live broadcast on its community cable channels, streaming on YouTube, on its website and on the free MauiStream app. Hosts Kathy Collins and Joe Abella will host the live broadcast on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. from the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku. Watch here.

US Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) is seeking qualified applicants for his Congressional nomination to the nation’s four service academies: the US Military Academy (West Point/Army); US Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point/Merchant Marines).

From the deck of an onboard floating classroom to the seat of a submarine, Maui’s youngest ocean explorers spent their summer getting closer to the sea than a classroom ever could. Three programs, three age groups, one shared goal: to help Maui’s keiki fall in love with the ocean.

Maui United Way invites the community to attend our ʻUlana Gala: Weaving a Stronger Maui Nui on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is hosted by Old Lāhainā Lūʻau.