Bissen swept all districts in Maui County mayoral primary, including Sugimura’s backyard
The incumbent mayor gained the biggest advantage over Sugimura in West Maui, where the recovery from the 2023 wildfire put his reelection bid to the test.
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Hope and heartbreak: Lahaina fire survivors move through grief as recovery continues 3 years later
As Maui marks the anniversary of the deadly blaze today, residents see hope in the rebuilding but sorrow in the people and things they can never bring back.
Who should vote in Office of Hawaiian Affairs races? Some say it’s everyone’s kuleana
The reluctance to vote for OHA is a complicated mix of Native Hawaiians who don’t want to participate in an American election system, non-Hawaiians who feel like they shouldn't decide the agency's leaders and voters who simply don’t know what OHA does.
3 years after the Lahaina fire, rebuilding Front Street no longer on the backburner
One property is close to getting the first recovery building permit on the iconic street, while Maui County continues working on ways to make it easier for the many commercial landowners who haven't even started the permitting process.
Bissen, Sugimura each raise $100,000 in July for mayoral campaigns ahead of upcoming primary
Both campaigns are spending heavily on advertising as they jockey for the top spot at the ballot box on Aug. 8.
3 years after Maui wildfires: Employment, housing improve while mental health remains a concern, report finds
Researchers are especially worried about the impact on kids, who are showing early signs of emotional and physical distress in the wake of the fires.
5 political newcomers vying for Chair Lee’s Wailuku seat; winner could change balance of County Council
Longtime state airports manager Marvin Moniz has been endorsed by moderate Alice Lee, but four progressive candidates also are in the race for the Central Maui seat.
ICE sightings, detentions reported on Maui amid nationwide wave of enforcement
As ICE enforcement increases on Maui, Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green prepares to sign a slate of immigration-related bills on Tuesday that include limiting state and county law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Bathrooms, porta-potties, nothing? Dealing with nature’s call a challenge at some Maui state parks
At Mākena State Park, permanent bathrooms were recently approved amid public backlash, while at other parks, cultural sites and vandalism have forced the state to look at other options.
Political newcomers top fundraising in races to fill critical Maui County Council seats
Bobby Pahia, who is running for the Upcountry seat that could impact the balance of the council, leads all primary candidates in fundraising heading into the Aug. 8 primary election.
Moloka‘i growers feeding the island in wake of missed barges, plant shipping restrictions
Two programs are teaching new farmers how to grow and sell their products at a time when local agriculture is sorely needed.
Lahaina fire survivors return for emotional homecoming on 3-year anniversary
More than 100 people who were displaced by the fire or left Lahaina years ago are reuniting this week for a series of special events that organizers hope will mark a major step in the community's healing.
Spending reports in Maui County mayor’s race show Sugimura leading Bissen in fundraising
Both campaigns are well funded and spending big in the lead-up to the Aug. 8 primary election, although Sugimura has a much bigger war chest left with the general election on Nov. 3.
Fired Maui County official sues Mayor Bissen, Board of Ethics for defamation
In a lawsuit, Luana Mahi says the allegations that she improperly oversaw grants that benefitted her family members were based on "inaccurate" information and they publicly tarnished her reputation before she had a formal chance to defend herself.
North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward
The state project to build a 4.5-mile northern extension of the bypass had stalled for decades due to a lack of funding, but that changed with Maui County committing $100 million in Lahaina disaster relief funds earlier this year to help build the road that now has a price tag of $220 to $250 million.
Maui County’s fringe mayoral candidates add unique ideas, opinions, entertainment to race
"It's one of my favorite aspects of politics is the fact that all of these folks get to run no matter how realistic their candidacies are. And sometimes they bring up really important issues, and sometimes they help shift the nature of what the mainstream candidates are talking about," political scientist Colin Moore said. "And sometimes it's just really entertaining."
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