How the Narrative Gets Steered
Public narratives can be controlled and shaped during major policy debates, power quietly shifts away from communities, and people can lose agency even when change feels like progress.
Housing
Who Stands to Gain From Bill 9?
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
Financialization and Land Consolidation in Hawaiʻi
An explainer on how financialization and institutional land consolidation are reshaping housing, water, and economic control in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi for Sale: How Institutional Capital Is Quietly Rewriting Our Future
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,
Bill 9 and the Illusion of Simple Solutions
Maui County’s Bill 9 was intended to address housing affordability, but on a small island economy, removing one sector creates ripple effects felt across jobs, small businesses, and community stability.
The high cost of living in Maui, Hawaii, has significantly impacted generational wealth and housing affordability
The high cost of living in Maui, Hawaii, has significantly impacted generational wealth and housing affordability. Here are some key points: High
How Legacy Corporations Shape Maui’s Tourism—and Keep Locals Out
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
Luxury Developments Threaten Maui’s Sacred Lands and Community
The proposed Ledcore Maui development in the Wailea area has ignited significant concerns among local residents, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and environmental advocates.
High rents a barrier for Small Businesses in Maui
High rents a barrier for Small Businesses in Maui High Rental Costs Prohibitive Expenses: Successful small businesses, such as food trucks, often
The lack of affordable housing in Maui County is a symptom of low wages and a depressed economy
The lack of affordable housing in Maui County is a symptom of low wages and a depressed economy, and not just a
Lowering house prices on Maui could make the housing market more attractive to mainland buyers
Lowering house prices on Maui could make the housing market more attractive and vulnerable to mainland buyers for several reasons: Higher Purchasing
Shutting down temporary vacation rentals on Maui might not make housing more affordable
Economic Impact: The vacation rental industry is a significant part of Maui’s economy, providing jobs and generating tax revenue1. Reducing the number of
South Maui’s Expansion: A Strain on Natural Resources
South Maui’s Expansion: A Strain on Natural Resources South Maui, a region known for its stunning beaches and vibrant community, is experiencing
How to Protect Your Property from Flooding
How to Protect Your Property from Flooding: Practical Tips and Strategies Flooding is a common and costly disaster that can strike anywhere.
Kihei Beach Hotel increases its Flood Protection
The Kihei Beach Hotel in north Kihei is expanding its rock wall, presumably to be better protection during floods. For the past
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES: So sad we are seeing our favorite local restaurants and food trucks on the verge of
Fast-tracking Development after Wildfires is Harmful to our Communities
Our island community needs to step forward to protect victims and wildfire survivors, for their immediate short-term needs, as well as their
Why You Should Never Sell your Home on Maui
If you live on Maui and you have family here, you should NEVER sell your home. Once you sell a home you
Developers Are Leveraging Anti-Tourism Sentiment to Fuel Maui’s Building Boom
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
New Affordable Housing Bill to make Homes Cheaper for Maui Homebuyers
UPDATE AND MEETING RECAP: This meeting was for a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan that includes new rules that would make affordable housing
Affordable Housing is a Trojan Horse
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
Buyer Beware most risks are not disclosed to new Homebuyers, Buying a new home is an exciting proposition and a lifelong dream
Social Washing by Condo Developers
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
Affordable Workforce Housing rules are being used to exploit vulnerable lands
Affordable Workforce Housing rules are being used to exploit vulnerable lands Developers are able to use Affordable Housing rules and “Pro affordable
More gated communities for Wailea
More gated communities for Wailea At a time when house prices are rising and affordable houses are in short supply, and many
Unregulated Development in Kihei
Kihei’s flooding crisis is not just a modern problem. It is the legacy of decades of unregulated development, buried drainage systems, wetland impacts, and short-sighted land use decisions made without
Maui Coast Proposes a NEW Six Story Hotel in Kihei
Maui Coast Hotel wants to double in size by adding a new 6-story tower on South Kihei Road across from Kamaole Beach