Maui Discussion

Nine Maui youth who are members of the Youth Council of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi have urged lawmakers to pass tobacco control policies HB 756 and HB 380 this session.

“Building homes and making renovations to existing ones — and even wildfire recovery — will soon be easier throughout Maui County, now that Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a bill that was unanimously approved earlier this month by the Maui County Council,” according to Jonathan Helton policy analyst at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi.

In the heart of Māʻalaea Village, nestled on Maui’s south shore, a community’s love for the land drives its dual battle against environmental degradation and wildfire risk. This close-knit village, a hub for marine research and education, is home to the Hawaiʻian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Keʻālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, and visitor treasures like the Maui Ocean Center and the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Op-ed: The County of Maui is working to revive glass recycling after a decade-long pause, with a project to crush glass potentially starting in August 2025, pending budget approval.

Op-Ed: Howard Kihune Sr. (a businessman, alumni of King Kamehameha III, and former chair of the Maui County Council) and Howie Kihune Jr. (President of ʻĀina Lani Pacific, a workforce housing developer) share their perspective on rebuilding Kamehameha III Elementary closer to its original location in Lahaina. *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****  

At 18 years old, I now have the right and privilege to persuade and influence through the power of my vote.

Housing affordability is one of the most critical issues facing our community today. As the president of the REALTORS Association of Maui, I want to emphasize our commitment to fairness, transparency, and responsible practices in the real estate industry.

September marks Hunger Action Month—a time to raise awareness about hunger, advocate for change, and take meaningful action to combat food insecurity. This year, the significance of this month is particularly profound for us here on Maui. In the wake of the devastating wildfires, the demand for food assistance has surged by over 65%, pushing our community to the brink.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi released today a second policy brief regarding how to speed up homebuilding on Maui in the wake of the deadly August 2023 wildfires that killed 102 people in Lahaina and left thousands of people homeless. It outlines four actions to assist with the rebuilding of destroyed housing or the construction of new temporary housing in the Lahaina burn zone, and two reforms that it says would increase Maui County’s housing stock in general.

A vacation rental advocacy group has released a statewide poll it says shows that Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed ban on short-term rentals is “unpopular” with most Hawai‘i registered voters.

A second season of “Breaking Bread with Alexander” will feature Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, M.D., and US Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

On Maui and in the whole state of Hawaiʻi, we are fortunate—the virus has not reached here; no bird flu has yet been detected in any species of birds or animals. But as a precaution, Hawaiʻi is not importing any cattle from areas on the mainland where the virus has been found. *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****  

Op-Ed: From fire to fairness: To find solutions to rebuild Maui, we must address tax disparities and land ownership. By Shay and Ian Chan Hodges, Responsible Markets. The path to recovery should include re-evaluating the foundations of our local economy, addressing the concentration of land ownership in non-local hands, and ensuring that any outside owners are actively contributing to — and not just benefitting from — the sustainable rebuilding of Maui County. *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****  

Op-ed Commentary submitted by The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi: ‘Wildly unbalanced’ planning commission potential problem for Bissen’s TVR phase-out. *****Views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author’s alone and do not reflect or represent the opinions, policies or positions of Maui Now.*****  

Op-Ed: A plan to phase out more than 7,000 transient vacation rentals that have been operating legally in Maui apartment districts since 1989 likely has a long and rocky road ahead of it, according to The Grassroot Institute of Hawai’i.

Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey (District 6 – West Maui, Māʻalaea, Waikapū, South Maui) thanked Gov. Josh Green for releasing $3,2000,000 in capital improvement project funds to finance improvements at Māla Wharf and Ramp in West Maui, including resurfacing of the roadway and parking areas, drainage and comfort station improvements, and new lighting.

OP-ED: Senator Angus McKelvey (District 6, West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui) issued a statement responding to Governor Green and Mayor Bissen’s interim housing plan for Maui wildfire survivors.

Viewpoint/Op Ed by Debbie Cabebe, CEO of Maui Economic Opportunity: There’s a push by a group of nonprofits for government entities to include adequate funding for administration of grants. Often, government agencies expect 100% of funds allocated to go to clients – but there are also costs for nonprofits to administer programs, including staff and infrastructure.

Preliminary analysis suggests that the pink color of water at Keālia Pond appears to be the result of a single-celled organism called halobacteria. Officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service say halobacteria are “salt-loving organisms” found in high salinity water bodies.

Ongoing school bus driver shortage to impact student transportation services on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi in upcoming school year. High school bus routes on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island have been modified due to the bus driver shortages, but school bus service will continue. School bus routes on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are currently not affected. School bus routes on all islands are subject to change should further staffing shortages occur.