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Residents encouraged to attend County’s Lahaina Community Meeting on Aug. 12
While usually held the first Wednesday of each month, the Lahaina Community Meeting for August was moved to the following week out of respect for the three-year mark of the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires.
Kahului residency area funds available for fiscal year 2027
Grant funds totaling $150,000 have been made available for Kahului in Maui County’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which took effect July 1, Council Member Kauanoe Batangan announced Friday. Eligible applicants include organizations seeking to “support local initiatives that enhance the quality of life, strengthen neighborhoods and respond to community-identified needs” in the Kahului residency area. More information and a list […]
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Volcano Watch: A decade of disaster response; mahalo to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno
Magno, who navigated the Hawaiʻi Island response to volcanic eruptions from multiple volcanoes, the COVID-19 pandemic, fires, earthquakes, tsunami warnings, hurricanes and historic kona low storms, retires effective Aug. 1.
REALTORS Association of Maui Community Foundation awards scholarships to 39 Maui County students
The REALTORS Association of Maui Community Foundation (RAMCF) has awarded scholarships to 39 outstanding students from Maui County through its 2026 Presidential Scholarship program.
UH extends fall 2026 application deadline to Aug. 14 for community colleges
The University of Hawaiʻi extended its fall semester application deadline for community colleges, UH Maui College, UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu to Aug. 14 to give prospective students more time to submit applications.
House committee approves funding for invasive species strike teams
The US House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill deploying specialized strike teams to combat invasive species. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually, protecting native ecosystems from severe ecological damage.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announces 2026 Community Enrichment Program recipients
Several Maui organizations among 49 throughout the state selected to receive funding and present authentic experiences for the residents and visitors from July through December.
Maui police seek help locating woman reported missing by a concerned family member
Mcclellan was reported missing by a concerned family member on Friday, July 24, 2026. Her last reported contact with her family was sometime during May 2026.
Maui affordable housing manager Laura Valenzuela appointed to the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission
Gov. Josh Green appointed Maui affordable housing manager Laura Valenzuela to the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission on Friday. The governor also selected five other community leaders for state oversight roles, including seats on the Hawaiian Homes and Campaign Spending commissions.
Hawaiʻi DOH confirms fourth case of cyclosporiasis
The individual traveled internationally before returning to Hawaiʻi prior to getting sick. The assessment of risk of cyclosporiasis to the public in Hawaiʻi remains low.
Groundbreaking ceremony for Lahaina Recreation Center playground highlights hope, renewal, resilience
County of Maui officials, project partners and community members gathered Thursday, July 30, 2026, to mark the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the Lahaina Recreation Center playground, a highly anticipated project that symbolizes hope, renewal and resilience for the West Maui community.
Public Safety Power Shutoff watch: Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions
Hawaiian Electric is monitoring high winds and dry conditions in West Maui, Ōmaʻopio and Pūlehu in Kahului, and areas of Hawaiʻi Island which may lead to an increased risk of wildfires. At this time, the company is in a Public Safety Power Shutoff “watch” condition, meaning that if weather conditions intensify in the next 24 to 48 hours Hawaiian Electric may proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.
Hawaiʻi Energy to open EmPOWER Grant applications for small businesses, restaurants and nonprofits
Grants of up to $15,000 will be available for qualifying projects, potentially covering up to 100% of project costs. Applications open Aug. 5, 2026 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wai‘anae man arrested on suspicion of illegally hunting on private lands
The owner of a West O‘ahu ranch contacted DLE Saturday morning to report a group of people hunting on private ranch property without permission. The owner also reported hearing what sounded like numerous gun shots in the area where the suspected illegal hunters were located.
Third person arrested in ongoing investigation into theft of luxury items from Wailea shops
A 17-year-old Lahaina male turned himself in on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in connection with the investigation of an organized retail theft of thousands of dollars in luxury items from Wailea retailers earlier in the week. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft and criminal conspiracy.
Eighth person arrested in ongoing Kāʻanapali riot investigation
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, a 14-year-old Lahaina boy voluntarily turned himself in at the Wailuku Police Station. He was arrested on the suspicion on riot. On Thursday, July 30, 2026, a 14-year-old Lahaina boy voluntarily turned himself in at the Wailuku Police Station. He was arrested on the suspicion on riot.
Filipino national with ties to Maui, charged with unlawfully voting as an alien
United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Bernadette Acaso, 19, a Filipino national residing in Honolulu, Oʻahu and Kahului, Maui, was charged by criminal complaint on July 22, 2026, with unlawfully voting as an alien.
County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grant applications to be accepted July 31-Aug. 31, 2026
The County announced its Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grant applications open July 31 through Aug 31, 2026. The average award is expected to range from $25,000 to $50,000. New Kūikawā Grants max request $2,500 for FY2027. An informational webinar is scheduled for Aug 11 at 11 a.m.
Maui Council panel reviews non-binding agreement for ML&P’s Honokōhau ditch system, other West Maui water assets
Maui County could more than double public control of West Maui’s drinking water under a proposed deal with Maui Land & Pineapple Co., but County Council members on Wednesday pushed back on provisions in a memorandum of understanding that would bundle the water purchase with zoning changes for housing on land the company wants to keep for development.
Maui County to launch two recovery grant programs supporting workforce development, public services
The County of Maui Office of Recovery today announced it will be launching two competitive grant opportunities through its Hoʻokumu Hou program, open to nonprofits and government agencies that are working to support community members’ recovery from the 2023 Maui Wildfires.









