Maui News

The Maui County Department of Planning outlined its multiyear effort Wednesday to rewrite the County’s outdated Title 19 zoning code — a rulebook that shapes nearly every aspect of how and where homes, businesses and farms can be built across Maui Nui.

Mayor Richard Bissen signed into law Friday morning an approximately $1.61 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, officially closing a public and Maui County Council review process that began March 25.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents a celebration of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning musicians nominated this year, as well as past awardees. The concert dubbed Nā Hōkū Hou, will be in Castle Theater at the MACC on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 7 p.m.

US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and Papa Ola Lōkahi, which coordinates health care programs and services for Native Hawaiians, will receive nearly $25 million in federal funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The Hawaiʻi State Junior Golf Association | First Tee Hawaiʻi (HSJGA|FTH) conducted the 2026 King Auto Group 13-18 State Championship at The Village Course at Waikoloa on June 17-18.

These awards leveraged more than $10 million in qualified manufacturing investments statewide, underscoring the importance of continued Manufacturing Assistance Program funding to sustain growth, modernize production capabilities and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s manufacturing competitiveness.

Maui Huliau Foundation is offering a series of free professional learning opportunities this summer designed to deepen climate literacy, strengthen place-based teaching, and connect educators with the community partners leading environmental and cultural stewardship across Maui. Educators are encouraged to RSVP by June 24.

The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet Monday at 9 a.m. to receive comments from the county’s special counsel on the status of the wrongful-termination lawsuit filed this spring by former county official Leo Caires, Committee Chair Kauanoe Batangan announced today.

For Maui, ‘ulu is especially notable to those in Lahaina, which was traditionally known as Ka Malu ʻUlu O Lele or “The shaded breadfruit grove of Lele” for its ancient breadfruit groves. Since the 2023 wildfire, efforts are underway to revive the native agricultural food system.

This final action authorizes the execution of all binding documents needed to complete the acquisition of key portions of the system from Dole Food Company, Inc. and Wahiawā Water Company, Inc., officially concluding the transition of these critical assets under state ownership.

The rate for parking between six to seven hours will increase from $23 to $24, the rate for parking between seven to eight hours will increase from $25 to $27 and the rate for parking eight hours or more (including overnight parking) will increase from $27 to $29. There is a free 15-minute grace period for drivers dropping off or picking up passengers.

HDOT’s wildfire efforts are heavily focused on vegetation management based on priorities received from county fire departments and creation/maintenance of evacuation routes in vulnerable communities.

Over the past year, DLNR’s preparedness and response capabilities have been enhanced with new equipment, expanded aerial firefighting support, ongoing vegetation management and increased coordination with partner agencies.

Estimated damage from the March Kona Low storms has reached roughly $100 million, members of the Maui County Council’s Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee heard Wednesday.

The County of Maui Office of Recovery, in collaboration with the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society, invites kūpuna and their ʻohana to join the next Hot Kūpuna Nights on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.

A structure fire in Haʻikū destroyed a partially enclosed carport/storage shed on Wednesday night, causing an estimated $5,000 in damages to the structure and $50,000 in damage to the contents.

Created for women to reconnect, restore and rise together, the two-day E Hoʻi I Ka Piko: 2026 Maui Nui Women’s Conference from July 9-10, 2026, in South Maui will feature opening remarks by First Lady Kaʻihi Bissen.

Act 67 modernizes Hawaiʻi’s voter registration system by automatically registering eligible residents to vote when they apply for or renew a Hawaiʻi driver’s license or state identification card, unless they choose to opt out.

State House District 14 candidate Sne Patel announced that he has earned the endorsement of the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, marking additional labor support for his campaign. 

Hāna Highway at Kālepa Point is closed to traffic on weekdays (M-F) between mile markers 38 and 39 while Kālepa Rockfall Netting Replacement project work is conducted. Work takes place Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is anticipated to last five months.