Maui News & Breaking Local Updates
Welcome to your definitive source for Maui news. From real-time breaking alerts and weather updates to deep dives into local government and community events, Maui Now provides the most up-to-date, comprehensive coverage on the island. Driven by a deep commitment to independent, local journalism, our on-the-ground reporting team publishes fresh, critical updates throughout the day. Stay connected with the latest headlines, community stories, and essential information impacting Maui County below.
New conservation framework helps guide critical decisions for Maui forest birds and other endangered species
A new conservation framework co-authored by UH Mānoa provides a tool to guide high-stakes decisions like translocating Maui forest birds outside their historical ranges.
Water service shut off scheduled for a portion of Kula Friday morning
Private construction work is expected to temporarily shut off Maui County water today to residential areas of Kula. File photo. Private construction work by Goodfellow Bros. will temporarily shut off County water services on Friday to some Kula homes off…
Hoʻokuaʻāina awarded $100,000 grant to advance Indigenous food justice in Hawaiʻi
Hoʻokuaʻāina receives $100,000 in grant funding over the next two years to continue its work of advancing Indigenous food justice for the kids of Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation reminds taxpayers of upcoming filing and disaster relief deadlines
The Hawai‘i Department of Taxation reminds all taxpayers of upcoming key tax deadlines, including routine filings for income tax, general excise tax, and transient accommodation tax, as well as relief measures related to Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell.
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Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation and ʻĀina Momona award $11,000 to 17 Maui County students
The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation and ʻĀina Momona announced 17 recipients of the 2026 Mercer “Chubby” Vicens Memorial Scholarship, with awards totaling $11,000. The scholarship provides gap funding to Maui County students pursuing college, university, graduate, and trade-school education.
Jury convicts Kaneholani of first-degree murder in shooting death of MPD Officer Suzanne O
After a two week trial, a 2nd Circuit Court jury convicted Clembert Kaneholani, 39, of first-degree murder Thursday for killing Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O more than a year ago in Pāʻia. The conviction carries a sentence of life…
Whalers Village invites West Maui families to celebrate ‘Ohanaween with free Halloween festivities
Whalers Village invites the West Maui community and visitors to celebrate ‘Ohanaween, a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. throughout the center.
Keiki artists encouraged to enter annual Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards
Lexus Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts present the 2026-2027 Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 12, students from public, private, charter, and home school institutions between grades 7 through 12…
NOAA ecologist to discuss El Niño, hurricanes and Hawaiʻi reefs Oct. 13
The effects of El Niño and hurricanes on Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs will be the focus of a free virtual presentation at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13 on Zoom, according to an announcement from the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. Thomas Oliver, a research…
Maui Hotel & Lodging Association PAC endorses 2026 candidates
The Board of Directors and Political Action Committee (PAC) of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) announced its candidate endorsements for the upcoming 2026 General Election.
Statewide Office on Homelessness responds to audit, highlights Kauhale progress and fund recovery steps
At the direction of Governor Josh Green, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions has accepted all 11 recommendations from a state Office of the Auditor report to strengthen controls and recover improper payments, while disputing several of the…
Lahaina Strong to host community-led candidate forum ahead of 2026 General Election, Oct. 14
Lahaina Strong will host a community-led candidate forum bringing together candidates for the Maui County Mayor and County Council races to meet directly with the community and share their priorities, plans, and vision for Maui County’s future.
Two kayakers stranded by strong winds, rescued outside Kahului Harbor
Two Maui residents in their mid-20s were rescued after becoming separated from their group while kayaking outside of Kahului Harbor, Thursday morning.
Coconuts Fish Cafe launches new fundraiser program for local nonprofits and schools
Coconuts Fish Cafe in Kīhei is launching a new Community Fundraiser Nights program for local nonprofit organizations, schools, teams and community groups.
Hoʻoikaika partnership hosts 2026 Annual Conference ‘E Ulu Ē / Growing Stronger Together’
The day offered opportunities to build relationships, share stories and practice self-compassion among people working with Maui County’s keiki and ʻohana. The ulu tree inspired the theme, symbolizing nourishment, growth, resilience, and responsibility across generations.
2026 Ironman World Championship in Kona on Big Island once again will feature men, women sharing the field
This year, 2,548 athletes, 110 of them professionals, are registered to take on the grueling 240.6-mile swim, bike and run course.
Scholarships help Maui farmers attend HFU Annual Convention returning to Oʻahu
HFU is accepting applications for its Mahiʻai and Youth Scholarship, which provides a limited number of awards to new and beginning farmers, ranchers, fishers, and youth in āina-based programs from neighboring islands to attend the convention.
Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee endorses Yuki Lei Sugimura for Mayor of Maui County
Maui County mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura has earned the endorsement of the Chamber of Maui Political Action Committee (COMPAC), the non-partisan, non-sectarian committee that handles the candidate endorsement process for the Maui Chamber of Commerce.
HGEA raises privacy concerns over Automated License Plate Recognition cameras
The Hawai'i Government Employees Association is raising privacy and accountability concerns over the state's use of license plate recognition cameras. HGEA leaders say the State Department of Law Enforcement's proposal deserves full scrutiny to ensure civil liberties are protected.
President approves Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaiʻi areas impacted by by Hurricane Lala
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Hawaiʻi to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Lala from Aug. 14–16, 2026.
Lahaina Community Land Trust to steward Kainehe, ʻāina momona that once fed Lahaina people
LCLT is setting forth on a new path to steward Kainehe, known in recent decades as 1050 Front Street. LCLT’s dream for Kainehe is to create a living, breathing public space where art, play, and ancestral knowledge come together to…
Olowalu reef study links historical land use to declining coral growth
A 253-year-old coral core from Olowalu Reef revealed that historic land-use changes, such as sugarcane expansion, led to increased sediment inputs and declining coral growth, providing critical long-term context to guide current watershed restoration efforts.
Uncertainty at Kīlauea summit prompts safety closures at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closing Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 because of continued inflation and increased seismicity at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.
2026 Maui County Fair contests winners announced
From artwork to horticulture, livestock and happy babies, the heart and talent of the community were showcased at the 99th Maui County Fair.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier placed on paid administrative leave amid commission investigation
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has been placed on paid administrative leave following a unanimous 6-0 vote by the Maui Police Commission on Wednesday, department officials confirmed.