Maui Discussion

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.

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.

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.

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.

Former Congresswoman and 2020 Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard announced that she is leaving the Democratic Party.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about booster shot requirements, cruise ships, staff shortages, and rising costs.

After jurisdiction at popular swimming spot Hāwea Point got a bit murky, Hawaiʻi Land Trust weighed in today, clarifying that a rule protects public use over a private homeowner’s attempts to encroach on the area. Further, the land trust said it requested that the homeowner’s private security guard no longer be situated at Cliff House, the rocky shoreline where people sunbathe, swim and jump.

Come Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, the “updated” vaccination records reflecting proof of having a booster, will no longer be required for these activities. County officials provided clarification, saying the booster will be recommended, not required; but a CDC card showing proof of vaccination is still required for these activities.