News

First reading of county budget set for Friday

Local News May 14, 2026

The Maui County Council will meet at 10 a.m. Friday for first reading of bills on the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget, with a plan to invest in housing and community infrastructure, according to Chair Alice L. Lee. Friday’s meeting will also serve as a public hearing on the budget package, which includes Bill 55, CD1 (2026) on the operating budget and Bill 56, CD1 (2026) on the capital program, Lee said. The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has recommended a revised plan of about $1.6 billion, more than $8 million below the proposed budget submitted by Mayor ...

Maluhia Maui Rotary Club to hold E-cycle fundraiser May 16

Local News May 14, 2026

The Maluhia Maui Rotary Club is offering to pick up old and unused electronics such as monitors, TVs, computers and printers from people’s homes and offices from 8-11 a.m. May 16. During the club’s “e-cycle fundraiser,” each item can be recycled for a $20 donation with an additional $10 fee to securely wipe all data from electronic devices. The signup form is available at tinyurl.com/mrss8mu9. For more information, email maluhiamauirotary@gmail.com or go to maluhiamauirotary.org.

Maui residents invited to participate remembrance event

Local News May 14, 2026

Maui residents can prepare for the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii with a special remembrance event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at Maui Mall Village in Kahului. Community members will have the opportunity to honor loved ones by writing personal messages on lantern paper, which will be carried to Oahu and placed on Collective Remembrance Lanterns. The lanterns will then be set afloat from canoes during the 28th annual ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park on May 25. This free public event is officiated by Shinnyo-en, an international Buddhist community with Japanese roots. It is presented ...

Local News May 14, 2026

The Maui Cookie Lady has been nominated for the second consecutive year for best cookie shop in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Starting people can cast their vote daily at tinyurl.com/yc2vbyxf through June 8. “We’re so grateful to be nominated by USA Today for the second year in a row,” said Mitzi Toro, founder of the Maui Cookie Lady. “As a small Maui business, this recognition is incredibly special to our team and to the community that has supported us from the very beginning. After everything our island has been through recently with the Kona Low storms, ...

West Maui community center, field house meeting May 19

Local News May 14, 2026

The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a public meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 19 at Lahaina Civic Center social hall to share ideas for the new Lahaina community center and field house. A website that will collect public feedback will be unveiled at the May 19 meeting. Locations for the field house and community center have not yet been confirmed, but the site will be near the Lahaina Recreation Center complex. The field house will include two regulation-sized basketball courts that can also be used for other court sports. It may also be used as a community ...

OED announces funding for financial literacy programs

Local News May 14, 2026

The Maui County Office of Economic Development is making $150,000 in grant funding available to support financial literacy programs for Maui County residents. Eligible programs should provide accessible, real-world financial education in areas, such as budgeting, saving, credit, banking access, housing readiness and small business financial management. Programs that integrate workforce development, entrepreneurship and support for key sectors within Maui County’s kamaʻaina economy are strongly encouraged. The county is prioritizing programs that serve Maui County residents, ...