A large historic stone enclosure above Waipuilani Gulch in Kihei—identified as the Waiohuli Corral (SIHP 5233)—has been removed during recent development. This loss highlights a growing pattern of cultural erasure,
A targeted solution for one of Kihei’s most flood-prone areas, the Kulanihakoi Elevated Roadway concept lifts the road to restore natural water flow, reduce flooding, and protect surrounding homes and
Waipuilani Gulch is not a single crossing problem. It is a continuous mauka-to-makai flood system that collects both upcountry runoff and localized rainfall across Kihei before converging into a constrained
The extreme floods of March 2026 revealed a system that was never built to handle the full watershed. The damage was predictable—and preventable.
Flooding in Kihei is not random. It’s the result of a stormwater system that fails under real conditions, leaving streets, homes, and communities exposed.
After the August 8, 2023 fire, Maui officials promised Lahaina would rebuild safer and stronger. This article looks at whether that promise is becoming reality by examining evacuation routes, underground
At a time when Maui needs more homes, affordable housing, and a stronger local economy, the island is building more hotels. This long-form article examines why that trend should raise
Bill 9 will phase out thousands of Minatoya-listed vacation rentals across Maui. Who stands to gain from that shift? Why does the hotel industry have the strongest incentive—and how do
An explainer on how financialization and institutional land consolidation are reshaping housing, water, and economic control in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi is undergoing a quiet but profound shift as land, housing, and commercial infrastructure move from local stewardship into institutional portfolios. This long-form analysis examines the Alexander & Baldwin sale,
Tourism on Maui didn’t grow by accident. It was a deliberate response to the slow collapse of sugarcane, designed to keep families on island and communities alive. This article explains
Maui’s construction surge, including “affordable housing,” masks a deeper crisis. Without a thriving local economy, small business recovery, or wage growth, construction profits leave the island while local families struggle.
Maui County Wetlands Overlay Mapping Project Fail How could the consultants get this wrong? These two major wetland gulch stream systems are
Still Controlled: Maui’s Tourism Industry Is Dominated by Legacy Corporations—and They’re Turning Locals Against Each Other The Big Five might sound like
The proposed Ledcore Maui development in the Wailea area has ignited significant concerns among local residents, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and environmental advocates.
The King’s Trail, also known as the Alaloa (“long road”), was an ancient thoroughfare that once encircled the island of Maui, stretching
The South Maui Sand Dunes are remnants of ancient coastal processes, primarily shaped by sea-level fluctuations during the Pleistocene epoch. These dunes
For the past several generations, a well-known Kihei forest has provided one of Kihei’s last green spaces, and also a habitat for
Lowering house prices on Maui could make the housing market more attractive and vulnerable to mainland buyers for several reasons: Higher Purchasing
Dangers of South Maui’s Limited Road System South Maui’s road infrastructure is heavily reliant on two main roads: Piilani Highway and South
Importance of a Viable Drainage Plan for the South Maui Flood Plain A viable drainage plan for the South Maui floodplain is
Preserving Paradise: The Maui County Wetlands Protection Bill and Its Impact Maui County, renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, has
Perpetual Repairs: The Challenges of South Kihei Road’s Infrastructure Introduction South Kihei Road, a vital thoroughfare in Maui, serves as a lifeline
Groundwater Over-Extraction and Subsidence Hazards in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Abstract Kihei, a coastal town on the island of Maui, faces significant challenges
Beyond the Beaches: Maui’s Struggle Without a Micro-Economy Maui may be world-famous for its beaches and luxury resorts, but beneath the surface
South Maui’s Expansion: A Strain on Natural Resources South Maui, a region known for its stunning beaches and vibrant community, is experiencing
South Maui, Hawaii, is facing the imminent threats of climate change and sea level rise. These threats pose significant risks to property,
The Importance of Preserving Green Spaces in the South Maui Floodplain Abstract The preservation and maintenance of green spaces in the South
Stormwater flooding is a natural occurrence. What is unnatural is that we are still building in the gulches, wetlands, flood zones, and
Our island community needs to step forward to protect victims and wildfire survivors, for their immediate short-term needs, as well as their
Protecting Lahaina post-wildfires Does Mayor Bisson need to declare an emergency moratorium on real estate sales in Lahaina and the affected Wildfire
The year is 2023 and developers are still bulldozing wetlands in Kihei. South Maui only has a fraction of its once-extensive Wetlands
Maui is losing a lot more than its land to development, we are also losing our beautiful views. Our magnificent views and
Hawaii’s economy, including Maui’s, has been shaped by the dominance of a few major corporations historically known as the “Big Five.” These
Maui’s unique environment needs protection! Our group, Protect Waiehu Ahupua’a (PWA) was formed in July of 2022 in response to a California
Maui’s building boom is being driven by developers, luxury housing, off-island buyers, and land conversion, while local residents face rising costs, infrastructure strain, housing displacement, and growing pressure on limited
Access to Safe Drinking Water One of the biggest issues that we humans are facing is access to a reliable source of
Affordable Housing is a Trojan Horse Beware of For-profit Developers bearing Gifts: The Affordable Housing (AH) program has become a Trojan Horse for
Buyer Beware most risks are not disclosed to new Homebuyers, Buying a new home is an exciting proposition and a lifelong dream
On Mauii, the Affordable Workforce Housing system is being used by developers as a form of “Social Washing” to make their business more socially palatable. These are still for-profit condo
South Maui is suffering from a Degraded Watershed South Maui’s watershed is severely degraded due to poor soil management, overgrazing on uplands
Affordable Workforce Housing rules are being used to exploit vulnerable lands Developers are able to use Affordable Housing rules and “Pro affordable
Kihei’s Overdevelopment Started in the 1970’s In 1970, Maui County planning staff and a consultant jointly prepared the Kihei Civic Development Plan
Impacts to Watershed of the North South Collector Road Kihei: This ongoing project has the potential to cause major changes to the
Grand-Wailea Hotel built on Hawaiian Burials – Kahamanini Bay
Developer Blasting Cultural Sites and Petroglyphs Blasting Alert!! June 1- July 1 2021, Daily at 3:45 pm Monday through Friday. Canadian Developer, Plans
More gated communities for Wailea At a time when house prices are rising and affordable houses are in short supply, and many
The Fong’s Gulch is the widest part of the makai end of Waipuilani Gulch, which is in the middle of our North Kihei neighborhoods. This is where the worst floods
Protecting the rights of the water, and the cultural and traditional rights of the people are at the core of this issue.
