Live Aloha, Give Aloha: The Marine Institute

Inside the Marine Institute's Work to Protect Maui's Honu, Monk Seals, and Coral Reefs

The Marine Institute: Outplanted coral plugs established on the reef (PC Nāhoa Kai Productions)

There's a moment almost every visitor to Maui experiences: a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (honu) gliding past during a snorkel at Honolua Bay, a monk seal sunbathing at Poʻolenalena, a flash of color on a reef wall at Molokini. These encounters feel like magic, but behind every one of them is a fragile, interconnected ecosystem — and a small team working around the clock to keep it that way.

I became aware of their work through a friend who volunteers with a team to disentangle sea turtles.  He is an experienced diver and professional underwater cinematographer.…

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How to Bring Your Pet to Maui: What You Need to Know about Direct Release and Quarantine

How to Bring Your Pet to Maui: What You Need to Know about Direct Release and Quarantine

Bringing a pet to Maui takes careful planning, but with the right timeline, pet owners do not have to subject their pets to quarantine. 

As a Maui resident, I've gone through this process myself with my dog Lily.  I've taken her with me on two trips to the mainland, and gone through this process with the guidance of the Maui Humane Society's Direct Release program.

To be honest, I was nervous about flying with Lily and getting everything done properly.  I worked with Judson Goode of MHS and he answered all of my questions and helped guide me through the steps and how to fill out the State paperwork properly.  When we landed back on Maui the first time, he met…

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Maui Vacation Rental FAQs: What you need to know about STRs and TVRs

Maui Vacation Rental (Transient Accommodations) FAQ's

Maui's short-term rental landscape has changed more in the last nine months than in the previous two decades, and it continues to evolve.

The County Council passed Bill 9 (Ordinance 5909) in December 2025, launching the largest short-term rental phase-out in Hawaiʻi's history. Under Bill 9, more than 7,000 apartment-zoned units that have operated as legal vacation rentals must cease short-term rental use by January 1, 2029 in West Maui and January 1, 2031 in the rest of the county. The legislation's goal is to convert these units into long-term, affordable housing for Maui residents.

In the wake of the ensuing litigation, the County Council passed Bill 88 (Ordinance 6008) in June 2026 — a…

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Aloha Friday in Kapalua: Music & Food on August 28, 2026

Aloha Fridays Return to Kapalua: Local Market, Live Music, and Island Aloha

Aloha, and welcome back to the blog!

Maui Land & Pineapple Company Inc. is bringing back one of West Maui's favorite community gatherings, and it is the perfect reason to spend a Friday evening outdoors in Kapalua.  Aloha Fridays offers a wonderful glimpse into the warmth and connection that make this community special.  The event spotlights local vendors, food trucks, and talented musicians and entertainers.

Event Details:

• Event: Aloha Fridays at Kapalua
• Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Location: 1000 Kapalua Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761
• Admission: FREE and open to the public
• What to Bring: Guests are encouraged to bring their…

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Maui HLU Committee Reviews Hotel Rezoning Resolutions for Sea Level Rise Properties

Update: Maui County Council is continuing to meet on this with the next meeting scheduled for September 9, 2026.

Maui County's Housing and Land Use Committee is looking at rezoning apartment-zoned properties scheduled to phase out short-term rentals per Ordinance 5909 (Bill 9) that are unlikely to convert to affordable housing for a variety of reasons, including mixed zoning on the property, high maintenance fees, sea level rise exposure area.  

On August 5, 2026, the Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee began reviewing properties in the Sea Level Rise Exposure Areas.

This is similar to the last round of council meetings that advanced to the Planning Department for consideration on September 4, 2026 which recommended several…

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Property Spotlight: The Whaler on Ka'anapali Beach

Property Spotlight: The Whaler on Ka'anapali Beach
Introducing Whaler 412

Inside Whaler 412: A Fully Turn-key, Updated Ocean View Condo on Kaʻanapali Beach

Whaler 412 is an updated one-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium for sale at The Whaler on Kaʻanapali Beach.  Renovated with a beachy vibe, this single level floor plan is bright and airy, with an open flow to the large outdoor lanai.  The living room and bedrooms both have views of the ocean and beach.  Guests arrive at the property through a beautiful lobby that opens to Koi ponds and Tropical Gardens.  The Whaler is comprised of two buildings, and offers a beachside pool, a fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, a covered parking garage and elevators.  Located at the North end of…

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Maui County Council Advances Hotel Zoning Recommendations to Maui Planning Department: July 29, 2026 Zoning Update

Maui County STR & Zoning Update, July 29, 2026

Update 8/10/26: Maui County Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on September 4, 2026 to review these ordinances.

On July 24, 2026, the Maui County Council passed two resolutions that would transition over 2000 apartment zoned short-term rentals into new hotel zoning.  The vote was 7-1.  

The properties are currently subject to Ordinance 5909, known as Bill 9, which will phase out short-term rentals in A1 and A2 apartment districts in West Maui on January 1, 2029 and across the rest of Maui County on January 1, 2030. At that time,  uses would be limited to long-term rentals (six months or longer), owner-occupied units, or non-owner-occupied (second homes).

Resolutions 26-110 and 26-111 efer…

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West Maui Condominiums: Mid Year Market Update 2026

West Maui Condo Market Update: First Half of 2026 

The West Maui condominium market shifted meaningfully between the first half of 2025 and the first half of 2026. Closed sales rose 22% across the region, from 121 transactions to 148, while median and average sale prices eased and properties spent more time on market before selling. Together, these numbers point to a market with more choice for buyers and more competitive positioning for sellers.

Below is a look at what moved across West Maui overall, then district by district in the Kapalua Resort, Napili/Kahana/Honokowai, Kaanapali, and Lahaina.

West Maui Condos at a Glance

Sales activity picked up notably, with closed transactions climbing from 121 to 148 year over year, a 22% increase.…

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Live Aloha, Give Aloha Spotlight: Aloha Pu'u Kukui

Live Aloha, Give Aloha:
Protecting the Forest That Gives Kapalua Its Water

The Kapalua Resort sits within an expanse of the most extraordinary ahupua‘a on Maui — a traditional land division that runs unbroken from the mountain summit to the sea. It's easy to fall in love with the golden light on the golf courses, the turquoise water at D.T. Fleming Beach, or the quiet elegance of a Kapalua sunset. But none of it exists without what's happening quietly, far above the resort, at the top of the West Maui Mountains.

That's where Pu‘u Kukui begins.

We're kicking off a new series here on the blog called Live Aloha, Give Aloha — a spotlight on the organizationsdoing the real work of caring for Maui, and the many ways you can join in, whether that's…

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Market Spotlight: Kapalua Bay Villas 17G1-2-3

The Kapalua Bay Villas have three ocean-view swimming pools & BBQ areas

Introducing Kapalua Bay Villa 17G1-3

Perched along one of West Maui's most coveted stretches of coastline, Kapalua Bay Villa 17G1-3 offers a rare combination of oceanfront serenity and resort-level convenience. This fully furnished, move-in-ready two-bedroom, three-bathroom condominium is set within the iconic Kapalua Bay Villas community: a gated, low-density enclave known for direct beach access, sweeping Pacific Ocean views, and some of the finest resort amenities in Hawaii.

Kapalua Bay Villas 17G1-3 is updated with beautiful ocean views from every room

Kapalua Bay Villas 17G1-3 features an updated kitchen and dining room with a view of the Pacific and…

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