Maui Discussion

EPA officials and their colleagues from the state Department of Health got an earful from angry Mauians protesting open cane burning.

Maui’s new short-term rental housing ordinance is supposed to allow “small businesses to benefit from tourism.” But there are many caveats. Here is a breakdown.

“I would like to introduce you to Peggy Kan Hai. A woman with a heart big enough to love the world.”

HC&S’s ambitious plans in renewable energy are cast in a setting of many new risks and unknowns.

As Maui’s energy future comes info focus, Maui Now begins a series of articles on what’s coming next in fuels and renewables, and the people who are making it happen.

“Educators should definitely be held accountable for their student’s level of achievement. But beware, for there is a fine line between useful assessment and useless paperwork…”

Tourism is leading Hawaii out of the recession, visitor arrivals and state tax collections are strong. Jobs not so much.

Maui Now test drove the Nissan Leaf at the April 27 EVA conference, and found it smooth, fast and comfortable – a car in every respect, except that it’s totally silent and it doesn’t use gas.

Opponents and Hawaii’s media have criticized US Rep. Mazie Hirono’s lack of participation in political debates for the 2012 election. What do you think?

What do you think is going on with the proposed vacation rental bills? Vote now to have your say.

Wailuku residents got an update on planning efforts for their town in a report that called for an urban grocery, more parking and a town where “you could walk everywhere.”

Senate Bill 755 is one of the most controversial measures now before the Hawaii State Legislature. Critics say it guts environmental laws. Supporters say it’s a jobs bill that will get public works going again.

The 2013 Maui County Budget with revenues and expenses estimated at $626.8 million is now being reviewed by the County Council. Mauians are encouraged to comment on the financial document in April.

“This version HB2078, SD2 gets rid of the requirement that owners living out of state or on another island use a licensed rental agent to manage their properties.”

“…So in some convoluted way, they decided that if they forced non-resident owners, like myself, to hire licensed property managers to manage our condos, somehow they’d catch the tax cheats.”

“…large scale harvesting of unburned cane in Hawaii is not viable and maintaining the ability to burn is still an important factor in the survival of the company and the jobs it provides to Maui residents.”

As cane burning season begins, Maui Now aimed to get some insight into what health effects – if any – it has on residents.

Maui contractors are hanging on, hoping for better times. There’s more to bid on than in the past, but there’s more competition too.

UH economists report that the recovery in construction is slow in coming. The outlook for Honolulu is stronger than the neighbor islands. For Maui, commercial building is faring better than residential or government projects.

Maui Republicans caucused Tuesday night to select a presidential nominee.