Maui Discussion

Op-Ed: Lahaina Strong’s De Andre Makakoa shares his thoughts on the rising trend of pop-up markets in Hawaiʻi saying they provide a positive shift for the local economy.

Letter: Caught in a Tsunami Watch on Maui — A teen traveler’s story: Fourteen-year-old Los Angeles resident, Lucas Hurwitz shares his perspective of getting a tsunami alert while on vacation in Hawaiʻi.

Op-Ed: Malia Hill, policy director for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi shares her thoughts on interstate Telehealth for Maui.

Op-Ed: Lahaina Strong’s De Andre Makakoa Takahashi shares his thoughts on the STR housing crisis and the movement’s road from protest to policy.

Maui Economic Opportunity CEO Debbie Cabebe says that critical federal funding through the Community Services Block Grant is at risk.

In actuality, the typical household can comfortably afford a $379,000 house. But in 2024, there were zero homes sold within that price range, and only a half dozen single-family transactions under $500,000, according to the LCLT report.

The CEOs of two major social service nonprofits on Maui claim the Trump Administration may eliminate a local program that offers preschool at no cost to low income families.

Op-Ed: A Daughter’s Plea: Don’t Stop the Search for My Father Lost at Sea By Makalapuaōnalani Alicia Hind *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****

*****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****

HB 756, a bill that could end the sale of flavored tobacco, could die if it doesn’t get a hearing by March 20. If there’s no hearing scheduled by the end of day today (due to the 48-hour notice rule), the bill is dead.

Nine Maui youth who are members of the Youth Council of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi have urged lawmakers to pass tobacco control policies HB 756 and HB 380 this session.

“Building homes and making renovations to existing ones — and even wildfire recovery — will soon be easier throughout Maui County, now that Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a bill that was unanimously approved earlier this month by the Maui County Council,” according to Jonathan Helton policy analyst at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi.

In the heart of Māʻalaea Village, nestled on Maui’s south shore, a community’s love for the land drives its dual battle against environmental degradation and wildfire risk. This close-knit village, a hub for marine research and education, is home to the Hawaiʻian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Keʻālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, and visitor treasures like the Maui Ocean Center and the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Op-ed: The County of Maui is working to revive glass recycling after a decade-long pause, with a project to crush glass potentially starting in August 2025, pending budget approval.

Op-Ed: Howard Kihune Sr. (a businessman, alumni of King Kamehameha III, and former chair of the Maui County Council) and Howie Kihune Jr. (President of ʻĀina Lani Pacific, a workforce housing developer) share their perspective on rebuilding Kamehameha III Elementary closer to its original location in Lahaina. *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****  

At 18 years old, I now have the right and privilege to persuade and influence through the power of my vote.

Housing affordability is one of the most critical issues facing our community today. As the president of the REALTORS Association of Maui, I want to emphasize our commitment to fairness, transparency, and responsible practices in the real estate industry.

September marks Hunger Action Month—a time to raise awareness about hunger, advocate for change, and take meaningful action to combat food insecurity. This year, the significance of this month is particularly profound for us here on Maui. In the wake of the devastating wildfires, the demand for food assistance has surged by over 65%, pushing our community to the brink.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi released today a second policy brief regarding how to speed up homebuilding on Maui in the wake of the deadly August 2023 wildfires that killed 102 people in Lahaina and left thousands of people homeless. It outlines four actions to assist with the rebuilding of destroyed housing or the construction of new temporary housing in the Lahaina burn zone, and two reforms that it says would increase Maui County’s housing stock in general.

A vacation rental advocacy group has released a statewide poll it says shows that Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed ban on short-term rentals is “unpopular” with most Hawai‘i registered voters.