In Case You Missed It
‘Green fee’ proposals to boost Hawai‘i’s environment, disaster resilience on path to approval
A plan to use $130 million from the state’s first climate impact tax got the full backing of lawmakers on the critical House Finance Committee. Now it heads to the Senate.
Gov. Green announces closure of schools, state offices due to severe weather
Gov. Josh Green announced that all public and charter schools and state offices on Oʻahu, Kaua‘i and in Maui County will be closed on Friday, March 13, due to severe weather expected to impact the islands.
All Maui County, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Hawaiʻi Island public schools closed Friday, March 13, in anticipation of severe weather
In alignment with Gov. Josh Green’s directive issued on March 12 in response to severe weather conditions impacting the state, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will implement the closure of all public schools and HIDOE offices on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and in Maui County on Friday, March 13.
Mental health crisis after 2023 Maui wildfires extends beyond burn zones
The 2023 Maui wildfires were linked to significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety among residents, with impacts extending beyond the burn zones and closely tied to housing and income disruption. That’s according to a new University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study published March 11 in “JAMA Psychiatry.”
As e-bikes grow in popularity, Maui County and state lawmakers try to curb dangerous riding
Measures would require helmets for underage riders and bar “exhibition riding” like wheelies and stunts.
Hisako Film Lab launches first-ever Fast Kine Maui 4-Day Film Challenge
Hisako Film Lab, in collaboration with Fuzz Box Productions, hosts its first-ever Fast Kine Maui 4-Day Film Challenge, taking place March 25-29 on Maui.
Free kamaʻāina community sails as Trilogy returns to Lahaina Harbor
Trilogy Excursions announces that beginning March 18, the company will officially resume sailing from Lahaina Harbor for the first time since the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires. The milestone marks a deeply meaningful homecoming for the Lahaina-founded company and signals another step forward for West Maui’s recovery.
Mayor Bissen appoints Margaret Willis as new County Director of Human Concerns
Citing successful houseless programs in major California cities and her deep experience addressing human needs with compassion, Mayor Richard Bissen appointed Margaret “Maggie” Willis as the new County of Maui Director of the Department of Human Concerns.
Hoʻōla LTRG and Mennonite Disaster Service mark milestone with completion of their first two rebuilt homes in Lahaina
Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group, in partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service, reached a major milestone in long-term wildfire recovery with the completion of their first two rebuilt homes in Lahaina.
Major housing and infrastructure investments for wildfire recovery move forward
The County of Maui Office of Recovery’s Hoʻokumu Hou program announced major investments in the long-term recovery from the 2023 Maui wildfires with the selection of seven multifamily rental housing projects and 22 infrastructure and mitigation improvement projects that have been conditionally awarded Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding.
South Maui’s saltier, more turbid waters could signal drought is taking a toll
A group of citizen scientists and water quality experts are working to find out what’s causing recent changes offshore.
Grand Wailea’s expansion plans advancing after years of debate over ancestral remains, tourism impacts
The resort finally got tentative approval to add 137 new rooms but must meet over 30 conditions related to water, traffic and protection of potential burials.
Prolonged period of stormy weather in forecast next week
“A strong low pressure system will bring deep moisture over the state, leading to the potential for heavy rain, flash flooding and thunderstorms,” according to the NWS. “The threat for flash flooding could develop over Kaua’i County late Monday, spreading eastward to the entire state Tuesday and Wednesday, and persisting through the rest of the week.”
Olowalu residents fear failing crops, fire risks if water company raises rates dramatically
Olowalu Water Company wants to increase annual revenues by 325%, which residents say would make it nearly impossible to afford water for farming.
Mayor Bissen’s 2026 State of the County Address
In his address, he highlighted Maui County’s continued progress across housing, recovery, well-being and economic stability, while outlining actions to strengthen communities and build a resilient future.
Hawaiʻi public schools advance farm-to-school efforts with new small farm partnerships
Students at Kahaluʻu Elementary School enjoyed locally grown microgreens on their lunch plates this week, harvested just across the street from campus at Kupu Place. Because of the farm’s close proximity, the greens were picked Sunday, delivered Tuesday, and served to students Wednesday.
Maui Food Bank purchases eight-acre Central Maui parcel to build future resiliency campus
Maui Food Bank has completed the purchase of an eight-acre parcel of land located at the corner of Kūihelani Highway and Waikō Road in Central Maui for $9.25 million. The property was acquired from Pacific Rim Land, Inc. dba Waikō Industrial Investment, LLC.
Kahului Airport’s main runway built during World War II prioritized for first reconstruction project
“After 80 years of fixing and milling and filling … the cracks, it’s added useful life. But, we’re at the end of it’s useful life,” said Curt Otaguro, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s deputy director for airports. “It’s done.”
Home fire in Kanaio displaces six, results in $550,000 in damage
A home fire in Kanaio on Monday morning displaced six individuals. The incident was reported at 8:35 a.m. on March 2, 2026 on Kanaio-Kalama Park Road.
Maui’s overtourism hotspots Road to Hāna, Honolua Bay targeted for relief under new management plan
The hotspot priorities were selected because action is urgently needed and “actually possible” over the three-year lifespan of the 2026-2028 Maui Destination Management Action Plan.
