Our Stories - Hawaii Journalism Initiative

Akakū continues fight to preserve Maui County’s public access funding with $400,000 in annual cuts looming

The nonprofit public access station now is appealing a ruling that focuses on a 15-year franchise renewal that the state agreed to with cable company Spectrum.

$241M solar energy project to power 18,000 Maui homes moving through permitting process

The Kūihelani Solar Phase 2 project needs to complete the permitting process before federal tax credits expire next year due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Family of Maui patient evacuated to O‘ahu after storm scrambles to relocate him again

Clayton Kim says the hospital where his son Brent Kim was temporarily transferred can no longer provide care for his disabled son.

For many sinkholes left by March storms on Maui County roads, cost and timeline for repairs unclear

Some, like the sinkhole on South Kīhei Road, are expected to take several months to fix, while others may not be completed until next year as the county seeks emergency federal funding.

‘She’s up with the saints’: Meli Watanuki, one of Kalaupapa’s last living patients, dies at 91

Loved ones remember her “thousand-watt smile” and “spark plug” personality. Her death puts public access to Kalaupapa in question, as she owned and sponsored the only permitted tour to the area.

HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines

Hawaiian Electric started work this week to replace wooden poles with steel and composite fiberglass on a key stretch of Honoapi’ilani Highway that it calls the “first targeted area of critical pole hardening.”

May 18, 2026

‘Historic opportunity’: County plans to acquire Maui Land & Pineapple’s water system in West Maui

The two sides have reached a tentative agreement, but a price still needs to be negotiated and the council must approve it, with the chair saying it’s “not a done deal.”

May 17, 2026

Expansion plans of Lāna‘i luxury resort are economic win to some residents, cultural loss to others

Pūlama Lāna’i, the management company owned by billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, wants to rezone about 170 acres to urban land and build nine villas and five more spa units for Sensei Lāna’i.

May 16, 2026

Lahaina fire survivors urged to apply for housing rebuild programs as August deadline approaches

Property owners whose homes were destroyed by the Lahaina fire in 2023 have until Aug. 31 to apply for reconstruction and reimbursement programs.

May 14, 2026

Lahaina school rebuild gets nearly $200M, wildfire study misses out on funding

Maui Health also got funding in the budget as the legislative session closed last week, but lawmakers think it won’t be enough for repairs to the storm-damaged Kula Hospital.

Our
Stories:

May 31, 2026

Akakū continues fight to preserve Maui County’s public access funding with $400,000 in annual cuts looming

May 30, 2026

$241M solar energy project to power 18,000 Maui homes moving through permitting process

May 29, 2026

Family of Maui patient evacuated to O‘ahu after storm scrambles to relocate him again

May 28, 2026

For many sinkholes left by March storms on Maui County roads, cost and timeline for repairs unclear

May 24, 2026

‘She’s up with the saints’: Meli Watanuki, one of Kalaupapa’s last living patients, dies at 91

May 23, 2026