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

As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric will use drones to inspect power lines, poles and other electrical equipment in wildfire risk areas across Maui and Lānaʻi.

Maui police released the identity of the man killed in a single-vehicle crash reported last week in Lahaina. Manuel Olivas, 18, of Lahaina suffered fatal injuries in the Honoapiʻilani Highway crash reported at around 1:33 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2026, near the intersection with Kāʻanapali Parkway.

The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns Immigrant Services Division offices on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, for staff training.

Coming off the heels of a difficult decision, OHCRA turns its sights on the Molokaʻi Hoe presented by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 where — weather permitting — the men’s crews will challenge the Kaiwi Channel.

The voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia, along with their crews, were prepared and ready to depart Auckland for Fiji and Tuvalu last week to support Pacific leaders and communities gathering around the UNFCCC Pre-COP. However, a series of cold fronts and gale-force winds delayed the canoes’ departure from Aotearoa. 

The Lahaina Energy Partnership will host two virtual community presentations in October to share the results of technical assistance provided by the US Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in support of Lahaina’s long-term energy planning and recovery.

Maui County Council Member Tom Cook will host a South Maui town hall on storm recovery, road projects and other county issues at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Malcolm Center in Lipoa, formerly known as the Maui Research & Technology Park.

Hawaiʻi’s Deposit Beverage Container Program will change how redemption centers convert container weight into container counts starting Oct. 1, the state Department of Health announced.

This October, evenings at The Shops at Wailea pair live local music with the Center’s open-air shopping and dining experience as Wailea Wednesdays features two complimentary performances: Oct. 7 featuring Max Angel; and Oct. 28 featuring Arlie Asiu.

With Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) reporting that service has been restored to nearly all West Maui customers, the County of Maui closed its emergency shelter at Lahaina Civic Center Gym at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

The four Lahaina public schools that remained closed Monday following Hurricane Nolo will reopen to students and staff Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.

The Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee (COMPAC), a non-partisan non-sectarian committee who handles the Maui Chamber’s candidate endorsement process, announced the Chamber’s “business-friendly” endorsements for State and Maui County races this year.