Maui Discussion
Bill seeks a carrying capacity study for Mākena State Park due to increased visitors
Because of the increase of visitors, “amenities offered at the park are being stretched and park upkeep and maintenance are being tested,” according to the bill’s language. The hearing on SB 1136, SD1, HD1 is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Haleakalā NP to move forward with plan to use mosquitoes to reduce the transmission of avian malaria in forest birds
The NPS will use an incompatible insect technique (IIT) which consists of repeatedly releasing incompatible male mosquitoes into the wild to reduce the reproductive potential of female mosquitoes in the project area.
Maui County testifiers passionate over freedom to choose birth practitioner
Fervent testifiers over many hours at Maui County Council sought the freedom to choose birth practitioners regardless of licensure status. Apprenticeship-trained midwives would be criminalized after July 1 — when the current exemption expires — if the state doesn’t approve pending legislation.
US Sen. Schatz calls for stronger Red Hill closure consent order, more public input
US Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i today called on the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency to strengthen its proposed consent order on the closure of Red Hill to include more input from Hawai‘i residents.
Waiehu land dispute lingers as ʻohana group begins retrieval of removed items from MEO
More than a dozen people involved in a Waiehu land dispute with nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity, showed up at the organization’s Puʻunēnē baseyard Friday to retrieve items removed last week from the subject property.
Kāko’o Haleakalā calls for the removal of telescopes following diesel fuel spill on Maui
The Hawaiian rights group, Kākoʻo Haleakalā, is calling for the removal of “all telescopes” from both Haleakalā on Maui and Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. This comes following recent reports of a 700 gallon diesel fuel spill at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex near the summit of Haleakalā.
Proposed tourism carrying capacity study gets early support from Maui residents
Pointing to Haleakalā National Park, the road to Hāna and other visitor hotspots around Hawaiʻi, residents during a state hearing Thursday backed a plan to study tourism carrying capacity for Maui and other islands.
Breaking: Tulsi Gabbard announces she is leaving the Democratic Party
Former Congresswoman and 2020 Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard announced that she is leaving the Democratic Party.
Maui Now Survey Results: majority report increase in household expenses, 67% believe the quality of public education declined
In September 2022, only 5% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that the quality of public education in Hawaiʻi has improved, 29% said the quality stayed about the same, and 67% said that quality declined.
Maui Now Survey: 71% affected by residential rental prices spiking, 93% concerned with increase in violent and property crimes
In June 2022, 46% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that residential rental prices spiking 41% on Maui strongly affected them, 25% said they were somewhat affected, and 29% said that they were not at all affected.
Maui Now Seeks Reader Input for Survey: Increase in Violent and Property Crimes, Residential Rental Prices, Persisting Drought Conditions, Maui County Elections
Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about Maui’s residential rental prices spiking 41%, county government actions to create more affordable housing, persisting drought conditions, increase of violent and property crimes, and the upcoming mayoral and council races.
Maui Now Survey: Respondents divided on easing regulations to create more housing; majority think county can do more to address over-tourism
On Friday, April 22, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. Survey questions included state and local topics.
Take the Maui Now Reader Survey: Hawaii Safe Travel Program Ending, Fast Food Chains, Over-Tourism, Housing, “Historic” Drought
Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about Hawaii’s Safe Travels program ending, recent reports of “historic” drought conditions in Maui County, creating more housing units, the increase of national fast-food chains opening this summer, and over-tourism and its impact on Maui’s resources and infrastructure.
Maui Now Survey: 70% very concerned with the increase of out-of-state Maui homebuyers, 83% think Maui County should cap transient accommodations
Maui Now received 544 verified responses with 90% identifying as Maui County residents and 10% identifying as non-residents. A total of 86% of respondents identified as registered voters and 14% as non-registered voters.
Op-Ed: Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi on Maui’s Jones Act waiver resolution
The Maui County Council unanimously approved Friday, a resolution urging the federal government to grant Hawaiʻi a temporary waiver from the Jones Act for oil imports.
Maui Now Seeks Reader Input for Survey: Rising Out-of-state Maui Home Buyers, Electric Bills, Gas Prices, Cap on Transient Accommodations
Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about the projected rise of electric bills, gas prices, cap on transient accommodations, out-of-state Maui home buyers, and property taxes on second homes.
BREAKING: Hawaiʻi’s indoor mask mandate to expire March 25
Governor David Ige announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will end at 11:59 p.m. on March 25, 2022, when the current emergency proclamation on COVID-19 ends.
BREAKING: Mayor repealing Maui County Public Health Emergency Rules, effective March 1, 2022
All of Maui County’s Public Health Emergency Rules are being repealed, effective March 1, 2022, according to an announcement by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino this afternoon.
Maui Now Survey: Majority unhappy with return of cruise ships, don’t want commercial downhill bicycling tours, families feel priced out of Maui County
On Thursday, Feb. 3, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. The survey questions included topics from booster shot requirements, the return of cruise ships to Maui, staff shortages, and commercial downhill bicycling tours on the roadways of Haleakalā.
BREAKING: Vaccines no longer required to dine-in on Maui, starting Monday Feb. 21
Come Monday, Maui’s longstanding rule regarding proof of vaccination status to dine-in at restaurants or to visit other “high risk” businesses like bars and gyms, will be lifted as of Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.