Maui News
Updated Maui water conservation rules take effect March 1
The updated rules follow the Maui County Council’s approval of Bill 158 in January, which amends the County Water Code to address water waste, promote responsible water use and ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply.
A Call to the Public: Share your thoughts on Hawaiian street names
Hawaiʻi’s street names memorialize ancient stories, events and people significant to that area, as well as to traditional land division names. The kamaʻāina of each community know their area’s moʻolelo and natural weather patterns and are therefore the best ones to interpret the proper spelling and meaning of their community’s street names.
Schatz, Hirono lead resolution celebrating Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
US Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a resolution celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.
Former Maui Police Department officer sentenced to 65 months for unjustified tasing
Carlos Frate, 41, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for using unreasonable force against an arrestee. Frate previously pled guilty in August 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
MEO Transportation to enroll all riders in ride confirmation system starting March 2
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Transportation division will enroll all riders in a ride confirmation system starting Monday, March 2, to improve service and to accommodate last minute changes.
State warns of potential public health risks from whale carcass off Kona Coast
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and its partners began monitoring the sperm whale carcass Feb. 6; waters from Makalawena to Honokōhau are of particular concern during the next few weeks.
Attorney General provides scheduled, biweekly update on ongoing investigation into possible public corruption
Attorney General Anne Lopez provided a scheduled, biweekly update on Friday, concerning the ongoing investigation into possible public corruption. This comes after a Feb. 13 briefing in which she vowed to update the public every two weeks on the department’s progress.
J. Walter Cameron Center receives ʻOhana Fuels ‘Fuel Up. Do Good.’ donation
The J. Walter Cameron Center is the recipient of $6,462 in proceeds from the fourth quarter 2025 ʻOhana Fuels “Fuel Up. Do Good.” program. The contribution represents a portion of fuel sales generated at ʻOhana Fuels stations across Maui from October through December 2025.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle puts Hawaiʻi’s endemic loulu palms at risk
While coconut palms top the list of CRB’s preferred foods, endangered loulu is also on the menu. Loulu’s small crowns are easier for beetles to penetrate than those of coconut palms, which results in a higher risk of lethal damage or secondary fungal infection. Extinction is a worry.
Hāna metals collection event to be held March 5 and 6
East Maui residents may drop off appliances, automobile batteries, tires, propane tanks and scrap metal during a Hāna metals collection event on March 5 and 6, 2026.
Montage Kapalua Bay re-opens The Hideaway
The Hideaway at Montage Kapalua Bay has reopened as a reimagined indoor-outdoor cocktail lounge overlooking Kapalua Bay. Featuring warm wood finishes and textural details that reflect the surrounding landscape, the newly enhanced space offers an open-air setting for island-inspired cuisine and cocktails at sunset over the Pacific.
Royal Lahaina Resort to host Nike Tennis Camp this summer
This exclusive camp provides a rare opportunity for Maui’s youth to experience nationally recognized instruction right at home, while also inviting young athletes from across the country to pair world-class instruction with a memorable family vacation on Kāʻanapali Beach.
Rep. Tokuda introduces bill to remove tariffs on farm inputs, lower costs for farmers
US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi introduced the Tariff Free Farming Act to lower costs for farmers by eliminating President Trump’s tariffs on essential agricultural imported supplies.
UHERO: Hawaiʻi economy turns a corner, moves beyond recession with modest growth
Hawaiʻi’s economy is moving beyond last year’s mild recession, but the recovery will be gradual, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s first quarter forecast for 2026 released on Feb. 27. Maui is the standout, as ongoing recovery from the disastrous 2023 wildfires will continue to propel rising tourism activity, if at a slower pace than last year.
Hirono, colleagues introduce SPARK Act to supercharge minority entrepreneurship
US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi joined colleagues in introducing the Strengthening Place-based Access, Resources, and Knowledge (SPARK) Act to spur entrepreneurship and increase access for underserved entrepreneurs nationwide.
MC&A hires Event Rental Sales Manager for new division based on Maui
MC&A, a destination and event management business across the Hawaiian Islands, announced the hiring of Bobbilyn Jones as Event Rental Sales Manager for the company’s newly launched division, MC&A Event Rentals.
Seabury Hall to host New Zealand University Fair, March 4
Hawaiʻi Association of College Admissions Counselors in partnership with New Zealand Education will host a New Zealand University Fair on Wednesday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Seabury Hall Dining Hall.
Livestream camera restored; Forecast window for next lava fountaining is likely March 6-16
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the V3 camera for live streaming of eruptive activity at Kīlauea, is now back online after onsite maintenance. Scientists with the HVO say preliminary models suggest the likely forecast window for the onset of episode 43 lava fountaining is March 6-16.
Free public Pre-K applications open on March 2
The Executive Office on Early Learning announced today that applications for its public prekindergarten program for the 2026–2027 school year will open on March 2, 2026.
Additional site for rock scaling work along Hāna Highway
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public of upcoming intermittent road closures at mile marker 19.5 on Hāna Highway (Route 360), for rock scaling work.
