News

Green announces $65 million for Kula Hospital restoration

Local News September 23, 2026

Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday that $65 million in state funding and a Kaiser Permanente investment will be used to restore and reopen Kula Hospital, which was damaged by Kona low storms in March. “Kula Hospital has been a cornerstone of the Upcountry Maui community for generations and we are committed to bringing this historic facility back stronger and more resilient,” Green said in a news release. “Our collective goal has been to repair what was damaged and to make the facility stronger and more resilient, while preserving the history and character that make Kula Hospital ...

9th Circuit upholds Hawaii firearm licensing requirements

Local News September 23, 2026

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld two provisions of Hawaii’s firearm licensing laws, ruling that the requirements are consistent with the Second Amendment. According to Attorney General Anne Lopez, the court upheld a 30-day period for using a permit to acquire a handgun and a requirement that certain newly acquired firearms be brought to a police station for inspection. The court concluded that the requirements impose “modest, procedural burdens” and do not materially prevent the plaintiffs from acquiring firearms. The case, Yukutake v. Lopez, was filed in ...

Free child safety seat inspections coming Sept. 26

Local News September 23, 2026

The Maui Police Department will offer free child safety seat inspections from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 in the Kihei Police Station parking lot. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will check whether seats are installed correctly and functioning properly. Parents and caregivers can also receive hands-on demonstrations and guidance on properly securing children in vehicles. The event is being held in partnership with the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Hawaii Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. No appointment is required. For ...

Flood watch issued for Maui County through Saturday

Local News September 23, 2026

A flood watch is in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe from Wednesday afternoon through 6 p.m. Saturday as a developing tropical system approaches the state. The National Weather Service said heavy rain is likely, although the system’s track remains uncertain. Windward Maui and the windward and southeastern portions of Hawaii Island are considered most likely to receive heavy rain, but very high rainfall rates and flash flooding are possible throughout the watch area. Flood-prone roads and low-lying areas could be closed because of runoff and overflowing streams. Urban ...

Photo of the Day: Blooming Beautifully

Local News September 23, 2026

Send your best photos from Maui County to mauiphotos@mauinews.com for a chance to see them featured on our website and in our weekly print edition.

Committee meeting on South Maui Community Plan recessed to 9 a.m. Wednesday; separate agenda canceled

Local News September 22, 2026

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee canceled Wednesday's separate meeting agenda to reconvene Monday’s meeting at 9 a.m. and allow the committee to continue deliberations on Section 4, “Implementation and Monitoring,” of the draft South Maui Community Plan, Maui County Council member Tamara Paltin announced Tuesday. The committee began deliberations on Section 3 on Monday after closing testimony on the Monday agenda and continued deliberations Tuesday before recessing, she said. Under the canceled meeting agenda, the committee was slated to take up ...