Maui News

County of Maui Real Property Assessment Division reminds property owners that the deadline to apply for the long-term rental exemption and classification is Dec. 31, 2023. 

Specifically, Lahaina customers within and near the burn zone are asked to reduce toilet flushing, bathing, washing clothes and cleaning dishes. Doing so will safeguard the system against potential sewage spills. 

The Flash Flood Warning is canceled for the island of Maui as of 2:38 p.m. The National Weather Service reports that the heavy rain has ended. Hāna Highway has been reopened, but portions of Piʻilani Highway remain closed. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. on Friday for all of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Waiehu Beach Road is now open in both directions. The road was closed earlier due to an accident involving a vehicle and a moped.

A red “closed” placard was issued on Wednesday to a Wailuku restaurant by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch.

In its 2023 Annual Purpose & Impact Report, the World Surf League’s One Ocean Initiative celebrates its key environmental milestones, such as protecting and restoring 45,374 hectares of critical surfing ecosystems and planting 100,000 corals, while amplifying community involvement.

The Moaʻe Molokaʻi Digitization Project is the recipient of a grant award totaling $100,000 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Moʻomeheu Program Grant will support the Native Hawaiian community by improving the preservation of and access to ʻike Molokaʻi.

The County of Maui, along with state and federal partners, are continuing to prepare fire-damaged areas should flooding occur.

The Kahului Disaster Recovery Center at Maui College is suspending operations Wednesday, Nov. 29, because the forecast shows locally heavy rains, thunderstorms and possible flooding over the next three days. 

Lisa Paulson, executive director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, has been honored with top industry recognitions, including Hospitality Executive of the Year by Pacific Edge magazine.

Hawaiian Electric and developer Innergex Renewable Energy have terminated an agreement for a planned grid-scale solar and battery storage project in South Maui. According to HECO, the project was hit with lengthy delays resulting from the developer’s legal challenges and pandemic-related cost and supply-chain issues. Of five solar projects approved on Maui since 2018, only one is being built.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will hold a community meeting to discuss proposed actions for tourism in support of Maui’s recovery. The meeting will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall on Monday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Especially in the context of the devastating Lahaina wildfires in August of this year, the Pledge is a commitment to strengthen Hawai’i’s ability to respond to unforeseen challenges and help Maui recover, rebuild, and prepare the islands for the future.

A kona low west of the islands continues to threaten the state with the potential for heavy rain and thunderstorms. A Flood Watch remains in effect until Thursday afternoon for the entire state. There is also a Winter Weather Advisory in effect through Thursday morning for the Big Island summits.

This week on Maui, the band Kanekoa is performing at a benefit concert for Maui wildfire victims, the free annual Jimi Hendrix tribute takes place in Pāʻia and for the observance of World AIDS Day there is “Music For Hope” at the ʻĪao Theatre. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Mayor Richard Bissen submitted to the County Council a bill to amend a section of the County Code in an effort to immediately increase the inventory of housing available to survivors of the August wildfires.

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents beginning Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, for Zones 11B, 11D, 11E, 11F and 13D. Those with vehicle passes will be granted access from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

In early 2024, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation will begin working on a management plan for 23 acres of newly acquired county land on Maui’s north shore, which includes Wawau Point, often referred to as “Baby Beach.”

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council will host the December edition of its “Know Your Ocean Speaker Series” featuring Alika Garcia and Blake Nowack of Kuleana Coral Restoration, on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sphere Theater at the Maui Ocean Center.

This series of events includes the annual Hāna Community Winter Show which features community groups and Hāna School class performances; hosting a holiday photo booth for free professional family portraits; and hosting a holiday craft booth at the Hāna Farmer’s Market.