Maui Council advances $1.6 billion budget, splits 5-4 on mayoral spending limits

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali is planning a weeklong Fourth of July celebration that trades traditional fireworks for a choreographed drone light show and the resort’s signature “flowerworks” — a helicopter drop of orchids over the pool deck.

This full-day summit will bring together more than 200 practitioners — including developers, investors, state and county agencies, financial institutions and nonprofit organizations — for a deep dive into the newly updated Opportunity Zones (OZ) 2.0 program.

Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea has become the first bar in Hawaiʻi to receive recognition from The Pinnacle Guide, earning a Two Pin distinction from the global cocktail bar rating system that honored just 46 establishments worldwide in 2026. The accolade places Pilina among an elite tier of bars recognized internationally for exceptional cocktail […]

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public that a guardrail project on Honoapiʻilani Highway beginning on Monday, May 18, will affect lanes.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division reminds consumers to evaluate their insurance policies before hurricane season, which begins June 1. Forecasters are indicating that El Niño conditions may develop heading into summer, which can increase hurricane activity in the Central Pacific Basin and heighten the potential for impacts to Hawaiʻi. 

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, memorialized Maui Police Officer Suzanne O, who was shot and killed by a ghost gun while on duty last year. At a full committee markup, Senator Hirono honored Officer O by highlighting her dedication to her community and sharing tributes from her fellow officers. 

To increase flexibility, the County of Maui Department of Public Works (DPW) Development Services Administration has implemented new procedures for factory-built housing in the Lahaina Burn Zone.

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 Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation dedicated a new electric vehicle fast charging station at Kapalua Airport on Wednesday, May 13. The $3.2 million charging station at the Kapalua Airport parking lot is now open for public use and has four 150-kilowatt direct current chargers.

Alexander Academy presents Alice in Wonderland, a delightful ballet performance bringing Lewis Carroll’s classic tale to life. This spring production will be performed on June 6 at 2 and 6 p.m., and June 7 at 12 and 4 p.m. at the Seabury Hall Aʻaliʻikuhonua Creative Arts Center.

The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. to discuss legislation to dedicate 20% of the county’s annual transient accommodations tax revenue to a Climate Action and Resiliency Revolving Fund, Council Member Gabe Johnson announced.  

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and Southwest Airlines are continuing their partnership to help empower Maui students through financial education, leadership development, and access to new opportunities beyond the classroom.