Erin Nolan

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is trying to unseat Mayor Richard Bissen in a closely watched race this election.

Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is trying to unseat Mayor Richard Bissen in a closely watched race this election.

Federal Housing Programs For Maui Fire Survivors Extended Until 2027 The program will now run through Feb. 10, 2027.

The program will now run through Feb. 10, 2027.

Maui Fire Survivors Face Tough Choices When Federal Housing Program Ends The state is seeking another extension to the FEMA housing program that thousands of Maui residents have relied on since losing their homes in the 2023 wildfires. It's currently set to end Feb. 28.

The state is seeking another extension to the FEMA housing program that thousands of Maui residents have relied on since losing their homes in the 2023 wildfires. It's currently set to end Feb. 28.

Fire Ant Invasion Has Reached A Tipping Point On Maui The population of tiny stinging ants has surged despite efforts to control the invasive species. Experts fear devastating consequences if the infestation spirals out of control.

The population of tiny stinging ants has surged despite efforts to control the invasive species. Experts fear devastating consequences if the infestation spirals out of control.

Hawaiʻi’s Critically Endangered Crow Is Soaring In Maui Forests Extinct in the wild since 2002, several ʻalalā have survived their first year since being released on the Valley Isle.

Extinct in the wild since 2002, several ʻalalā have survived their first year since being released on the Valley Isle.

Delayed Maui County Grants Leave Local Nonprofits in Limbo The county says it is tightening up its oversight of public money to prevent fraud and abuse.

The county says it is tightening up its oversight of public money to prevent fraud and abuse.

‘The Maui Method:’ A New Fix For A Major Fire Hazard In Hawaiʻi Government officials developed a way to deal with tons of electric vehicle batteries left in the aftermath of wildfires and found at illegal dumpsites.

Government officials developed a way to deal with tons of electric vehicle batteries left in the aftermath of wildfires and found at illegal dumpsites.

Maui Vacation Rental Bill That Divided Community Is Signed Into Law The County Council plans to take up a separate measure Friday that could effectively exempt more than half of the affected properties.

The County Council plans to take up a separate measure Friday that could effectively exempt more than half of the affected properties.

Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals In Limbo After Council Hits Gridlock Kāʻanapali condo owners have filed the first lawsuit so far against the county over Bill 9.

Kāʻanapali condo owners have filed the first lawsuit so far against the county over Bill 9.

Maui To Settle Landfill Legal Battle After Scrapping Plan To Seize Property The county won't say how much it intends to pay the company in damages over the eminent domain case to acquire a dump site for Lahaina fire debris.

The county won't say how much it intends to pay the company in damages over the eminent domain case to acquire a dump site for Lahaina fire debris.

Hawaiʻi’s New Remote Weather Stations Boost Wildfire Risk Assessment The state has installed 16 new weather stations across Maui County since the deadly fires in August 2023 and plans to install more soon on other islands.

The state has installed 16 new weather stations across Maui County since the deadly fires in August 2023 and plans to install more soon on other islands.

Split Maui Council Can’t Agree On New Member. Now The Mayor Will Decide Since the death of Tasha Kama, the council is divided into two equal factions of four members. 

Since the death of Tasha Kama, the council is divided into two equal factions of four members. 

Maui County Council Advances Plan To Phase Out Short-Term Vacation Rentals The split council will take the legislation up for final reading in two weeks, and plans to hear a separate bill that could effectively exempt many of the roughly 7,000 affected properties.

The split council will take the legislation up for final reading in two weeks, and plans to hear a separate bill that could effectively exempt many of the roughly 7,000 affected properties.

Maui Is Deploying Water Tanks Around The Island To Help Fight Fires The tanks hold thousands of gallons of water so firefighters have a ready supply, especially in dryer and harder to reach areas.

The tanks hold thousands of gallons of water so firefighters have a ready supply, especially in dryer and harder to reach areas.

Maui Church Makes Space Amid Pews To House Fire Recovery Volunteers The cost of renting a place to stay has been prohibitively expensive for some who want to come help the island rebuild. Now, there's a new option.

The cost of renting a place to stay has been prohibitively expensive for some who want to come help the island rebuild. Now, there's a new option.

Maui Council Member Tasha Kama Remembered For Life Of Service Her death leaves a void on the ideologically split nine-member council as it confronts major housing policy decisions.

Her death leaves a void on the ideologically split nine-member council as it confronts major housing policy decisions.

FEMA Scales Back Direct Lease Housing For Maui Fire Survivors Citing no more unmet needs, the agency canceled $2 million worth of contracts with a company managing residential units leased from property owners.

Citing no more unmet needs, the agency canceled $2 million worth of contracts with a company managing residential units leased from property owners.

Dark Money Group Blankets Maui In Ads To Influence Vacation Rental Bill Some Hawai‘i nonprofits are objecting to the mainland organization's meddling in local politics and overall lack of public transparency.

Some Hawai‘i nonprofits are objecting to the mainland organization's meddling in local politics and overall lack of public transparency.

Major GMO Seed Company Is Maui County’s Top Water Customer While the genetically modified seed industry has declined across Hawaiʻi, records show Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has increased its water usage on two Maui farms by 13% since 2021.

While the genetically modified seed industry has declined across Hawaiʻi, records show Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has increased its water usage on two Maui farms by 13% since 2021.

Maui Is Racing To Spend $20M On Lahaina Land Deal With Prominent Developer The county plans to use 160 acres from Peter Martin for flood control, evacuation routes and other projects that could help the fire-torn town recover.

The county plans to use 160 acres from Peter Martin for flood control, evacuation routes and other projects that could help the fire-torn town recover.

Controversial Bill To Phase Out Maui Vacation Rentals Could Get Watered Down A temporary investigative group recommended rezoning thousands of apartment-zoned units so they can be used as both short- and long-term rentals.

A temporary investigative group recommended rezoning thousands of apartment-zoned units so they can be used as both short- and long-term rentals.

Packed Maui Animal Shelter Makes Desperate Plea For Help The 2023 wildfires exacerbated the housing shortage on an island that’s already one of the hardest places to find a place to live with a dog or cat.

The 2023 wildfires exacerbated the housing shortage on an island that’s already one of the hardest places to find a place to live with a dog or cat.

Pinball Is Illegal For Maui Kids. Yes, Really — But That Could Change The Maui County Council is taking up a bill to repeal a 1944 law that's still on the books.

The Maui County Council is taking up a bill to repeal a 1944 law that's still on the books.

‘Come On, Trees!’ Lahaina Nonprofit Plants A Natural Firebreak Kaiāulu Initiatives, a grassroots nonprofit, aims to revitalize Lahaina's landscape and prevent future wildfires by planting native plants and trees.

Kaiāulu Initiatives, a grassroots nonprofit, aims to revitalize Lahaina's landscape and prevent future wildfires by planting native plants and trees.

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it's scapegoating.

County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it's scapegoating.

There is so much happening on Maui and across the county, and I'm really looking forward to continuing to report for the community!

Makawao Family Struggles After Police Shoot Woman Living With Them The family of Macayla Deponte’s boyfriend took her in and accepted her as family. But when the young couple broke up, she locked herself in a room with a knife.

I also had the privilege of speaking to some of those who loved Macayla Deponte, a 20-year-old woman who was fatally shot by a police officer in February.
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Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals Dozens of people turned out to testify on Mayor Richard Bissen's effort to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing in a bid to ease the affordable housing crisis.

Those are the circumstances fueling a heated debate over Mayor Richard Bissen's proposed plan to convert thousands of short-term rentals into long-term housing.

www.civilbeat.org/2025/06/emot...

www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/maui...

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