In Case You Missed It
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in ‘Īao reopens; Caution urged near storm damaged pavilions
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in ‘Īao Valley, reopened Saturday after severe damage from back-to-back Kona low storms in March, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation. The public is advised that Picnic Pavilions 1 and 2 at Kepaniwai remain closed as repairs continue. Parkgoers are asked to proceed with caution and follow all warning signs when visiting the facility.
West Maui water quality testing finds few impacts after Lahaina wildfire
In 10 years of monitoring West Maui’s waters, one network of citizen scientists has noted other findings like rising salinity due to years of drought and declining nitrates as the residual impacts of Lahaina’s plantation days fade away.
6 tons of trash removed from Pūlehu Road, 34 abandoned vehicles tagged during ‘routine cleanup’
Heavy equipment and a police cruiser were observed Tuesday morning on Pūlehu Road between Hoʻokele Street and Hansen Road, near Safeway, blocking traffic in both directions.
Maui Council passes $1.6 billion budget; adds security funding after terroristic threatening arrest
The Maui County Council gave final approval Thursday to a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, sending the spending plan to Mayor Richard Bissen’s desk, but not before adding $50,000 for Maui County campus security.
Polls show incumbent Bissen, challenger Sugimura dueling for top spot in 10-candidate mayoral primary race
Sugimura has a lead of more than 10 points in two polls, but Bissen’s camp says its polling shows him with a 6-point lead.
Costliest repairs to Lahaina Harbor still ahead as dredging gets underway
More than $20 million worth of projects are left to be completed at the harbor, including work on the piers and dinghy dock that cost $8 million and are expected to start this year.
2026 Maui Bon Dance Schedule: annual Buddhist observance honors loved ones, embraces gratitude
The Puʻunēnē Nichiren Mission will host the first Obon of the 2026 season on Saturday, June 6, with the dance beginning at 7 p.m. The season will conclude on Sept. 12 at Hāna Buddhist Temple.
Mokuʻula in focus: Input sought on master plan for Lahaina Royal Complex, building a ‘living framework’
The completion of a master plan does not translate to immediate construction, but rather establishes a “living framework” for subsequent environmental reviews, historic reviews, permitting and multi-phase implementation over generations.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park facility improvements project begins July 6
A facility improvements project at Waiʻānapanapa State Park in Hāna, Maui, will enter the construction phase on Saturday, July 6. The project includes a new comfort station adjacent to the park’s eastern parking area and resurfacing of Honokalani Road. Construction of the comfort station is expected to be completed in the fall, with road improvements scheduled for completion in early 2027.
New program at Hawaiʻi-CC and UH Maui College aims to address cesspool challenges
In response to the cesspool crisis, Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College launched a new certificate program that trains students to work alongside contractors and engineers assisting with cesspool conversions and installing more sustainable systems.
Maui County leaders urge preparedness as hurricane season starts with above-normal predictions
Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi runs from June 1, through Nov. 30, 2026, and with an above-normal season forecast — including five to 13 tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific — County of Maui and Maui Emergency Management Agency officials are urging residents and visitors to prepare well before a storm is on the horizon.
Historic Pacific Ocean Row reaches half-way point to Maui
After a month on the water, Joshua Dukes and his three rowing companions are nearing the halfway point on their historic journey from Washington to Maui, Hawaiʻi. The 3,100 mile trek across the open ocean started on May 2, 2026 and is expected to take a total of 50-70 days to complete.
Congressional candidate arrested on Maui for alleged Terroristic Threatening incident in Wailuku
A 40-year-old Kīhei man identified as Congressional candidate Kirill Basin, was placed under arrest Friday for first degree Terroristic Threatening after he allegedly entered a county building off of Main Street in Wailuku while brandishing a firearm and engaged in a verbal altercation with county employees, police said.
Pacific Whale Foundation helps document a record-breaking whale voyage
The Pacific Whale Foundation has helped publish a new study that documents the longest individual humpback whale movements ever recorded—including one animal tracked crossing more than 8,700 miles between Brazil and Australia over 22 years. The foundation was a co-lead organization on the research, published May 20 in the journal Royal Society Open Science. The […]
Maui Health and UHCC launch new Maui-based healthcare degree programs with full scholarship opportunities
Maui Health, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges, has announce new Respiratory Therapy (RT) and Radiologic Technology (Rad Tech) training programs on Maui — creating local access to these in-demand healthcare careers for the first time.
New hotel zoning clears Council committee, 6-1, despite planning commissions’ opposition
The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-1 Tuesday to advance new hotel zoning districts for thousands of short-term vacation rentals facing a county-mandated phase-out—overriding unanimous rejection from all three county planning commissions.
Timeline for repairs to sinkhole on South Kīhei Road rests on federal funding for Kona Low Storm recovery
The County Department of Public Works’ pursuit of emergency federal funding and the complexity of repairs are shaping the timeline for permanent restoration of South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole Beach Park II, where a sinkhole forced the closure of both lanes during severe weather in March.
‘She’s up with the saints’: Meli Watanuki, one of Kalaupapa’s last living patients, dies at 91
Loved ones remember her “thousand-watt smile” and “spark plug” personality. Her death puts public access to Kalaupapa in question, as she owned and sponsored the only permitted tour to the area.
Hoʻonani Village project recommended for first reading passage by full Council; calls for deferral set aside
A Maui County Council committee voted 5-1 Wednesday to recommend passage of two land use bills that would clear the way for the proposed Hoʻonani Village mixed-use development on former sugarcane fields near Kahului Airport, overriding deferral recommendations from three county departments with concerns about infrastructure shortfalls.
Maui football standout Kaholi Krau commits to Utah State University
Baldwin High School senior Kaholi Krau has officially committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Utah State University, where he will play football for the Aggies in the Pac-12 Conference.
