Maui News
DLNR puts on Invasive Species Awareness Month webinars, activities
May is Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month.
Hirono, Chu introduce bills to address mental health in AANHPI communities
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and US Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) reintroduced a package of bills focused on mental health awareness for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities in observance of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month and AANHPI Heritage Month.
Hawaiʻi Gas relaunches summer hire program
Designed for recent high school graduates and college students, Hawaiʻi Gas is recruiting for a range of temporary positions at all locations statewide.
178-unit affordable housing complex breaks ground in Kahului, prioritizing wildfire survivors
The complex will prioritize families displaced by the August 2023 wildfires, offering stability to a community hit hard by both the disaster and Maui’s ongoing housing crisis.
Realtors Association of Maui opposes Bill 9, urges a ‘balanced approach’ to housing crisis
The Realtors Association of Maui (RAM) formally announced its opposition on Friday to Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed Bill 9, which seeks to eliminate approximately 7,000 short-term rentals (STRs) in apartment-zoned areas by 2026. Mayor Richard Bissen responded to a request for comment from Maui Now saying, Bill 9 is “one part of a collective strategy” to address Maui’s severe housing crisis.
Applications open for Pacific Century Fellows program class of 2025-2026
Hawai‘i’s emerging leaders can now apply for the Pacific Century Fellows program, a nine-month experience designed to connect participants with top leaders and explore key challenges facing the state.
Real property tax sale set for Tuesday, May 20, in Kīhei
The County of Maui Department of Finance will be holding a real property tax sale on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and will continue the sale on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, if necessary. The sale will auction off properties that have been delinquent for three or more years and have received their final notice of tax sale.
Lahainaluna and Maui High students shine at 2025 Citizen-Scholar Awards
RJ Arconado of Lahainaluna High School was named Top Maui County Scholar, and Ciana Cooper of Maui High School earned the prestigious title of Top Overall Female Scholar in the state. Both students were recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service.
MAPA launches final phase of capital campaign for new theatre
Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is launching the final phase of its $15 million capital campaign to create the Main Street Arts Project, MAPA’s new performing arts campus in Wailuku. This project is the culmination of MAPA’s decades-long dream to own its own home and revitalize Wailuku through the arts.
Coconut rhinoceros beetle follow-up treatment at Kona airport this week
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, with the assistance of the County of Hawaiʻi Public Works Department, began another round of treatment of palm trees at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Tuesday, May 6, in an effort to stop the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) from becoming established on Hawaiʻi Island. This was a follow-up to treatment conducted last month at the airport.
Bite of Lahaina fundraising event aims to raise $15,000 for West Maui projects
The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset recently hosted an inaugural “Bite of Lahaina” fundraising event at the rooftop venue of the Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate factory. Seven chefs and food establishments provided samples while guests enjoyed music by Wilmont Kahaialiʻi and Dayan Kai. Attendees voted for their favorite bite, with Smash Maui Food truck winning the top prize. DeeJay Duque, […]
Dorn and Brighton sign National Letters of Intent to compete at the collegiate level
Micah Brighton and Bromo Dorn, both members of Seabury Hall’s class of 2025, were celebrated by classmates, faculty, coaches, friends, and family as they signed letters of intent to compete in NCAA athletics.
Update/located: Missing Wailuku teen last seen Thursday catching bus to the mall
Jennia Henos has been located and is okay. The Maui Police Department thanked the public for their assistance.
Areas of War Memorial Complex to close briefly during public events this month
Areas of War Memorial Complex in Wailuku will temporarily close to accommodate public events for four days in May, according to the County of Maui Department of Park and Recreation.
Longline fishing vessel seized after alleged operations in Hawaiʻi State Territorial Sea
It is illegal to longline fish in state waters within the state Territorial Sea, which extends from the high-water mark to 12 nautical miles from shore.
Urban Design Review Board hears opposition to modern homes in historic Lahaina
Facing strong public opposition to modern home designs for rebuilding in Lahaina, the Urban Design Review Board on Tuesday began scrutinizing a lengthy draft guide outlining post-wildfire building standards for the historic town devastated by a deadly wildfire in August 2023. Off the cuff, board members expressed reservations about its 187-page length and a lack […]
Modular home delivery for wildfire survivors to continue this week
Beginning Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16, the modular homes will be hauled nightly from the staging site near the Kahului small boat ramp to Lahaina.
Mana Up Market opens first Maui location in Lahaina; Celebrate with Kalani Peʻa, May 16
Mana Up, the Hawai‘i-based accelerator dedicated to growing local product businesses, is expanding to Maui with “The Mana Up Market” at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows. Set to open in May 2025, this new retail space will showcase products from entrepreneurs who have participated in Mana Up’s statewide accelerator program — bringing their locally made goods to both residents and visitors to Maui.
UHERO: Hawaiʻi appears headed for a mild recession
The UHERO second quarter forecast for 2025 reports: “sharp increases in US import tariffs, sweeping federal layoffs, and volatile fiscal and immigration policies are undermining consumer confidence, raising inflation expectations, and worsening the business outlook—both nationally and in Hawaiʻi’s visitor-dependent economy.”
Maui teacher detained in federal immigration raid describes tense, ‘upsetting’ moments
A Maui teacher, who along with other educators was detained by federal law enforcement officers during an early morning raid at a Kahului home Tuesday morning, said agents were looking for a convicted felon.
