Council Defers Vacation Rental Bill

Maui County has 1,100 to 1,500 unpermitted vacation rentals, according to estimates by the Maui Vacation Rental Association. Councilmember Couch has proposed capping the number of legal vacation rentals at 400.  Planning Director Spence said his department issued only 28 warnings about vacation rentals and conducted 78 site inspections in

Planning Commission Approves Variance for Hotel “School”

A mainland entrepreuner got permission to operate a school/spa/hotel in Makawao's Fred Baldwin Memorial Home. It will become the Lumeria Maui educational retreat. Critics called it "a luxury boutique hotel" and it can accomodate 48 guests.

Stop Clubbing Endangered Monk Seals

Target: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Pacific Region Sponsored by: Animal Advocates At least three Hawaiian monk seals were found clubbed to death on Molokai and Kauai coasts. There are currently 1,100 monk seals left in the world, and the species is predicted to go extinct in 50 to

The Real Causes of Our Declining Fish Stock Aren’t Monk Seals

The Maui News recently ran a lovely photo of a Hawaiian monk seal on the beach at Olowalu; no reference was made to the tragedy of the four seals killed on Molokai and Kauai in recent weeks… no editorial, no statement from our county or state officials. Hawaiian monk seals

Panel to Discuss Recent Monk Seal Attacks

On Sunday, January 8th DLNR Chairman Bill Ailā, Moloka`i resident Walter Ritte, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Co-manager Elia Herman and Nā Mea Hulu Project Director Kehaulani Watson will participate in a panel on the recent monk seal attacks as part of Nā `Ōiwi `Ōlino: People Seeking Wisdom.   The show will air

County Council Committees Can Change Public Testimony Time

The Maui County Council unanimously approved a resolution to allow council committees to change the time limits allowed for public testimony at meetings.

Maui Has 2 of Top 10 Hawai’i Toxic Release Sites

MECO's Kahului generating station ranked 5th worst for toxic releases with 190,022 pounds of chemicals in 2010, and their Maalaea generating station was 10th with 84,199 pounds.

LUC Approval: Kula Ridge Goes Forward

The state Land Use Commission voted Friday to approve district boundary amendments allowing the Kula Ridge subdivision to move ahead with its $35 million development of 116 homes on 51 acres mauka of Kula Highway. LUC allowed 34.5 acres to go from agricultural to urban district and 16.5 acres from

Are Developments Blocking Ocean View?

A concerned citizen sent in these photos of a development at 4605 Hana Highway that impacts the scenic coastal view plane at top of Manawai Rd.   The owner has planted bamboo and plans on building a “barn” that will obstruct ocean views in noncompliance with the terms of his SMA

PV Limit Under Review

This is an article from Mother Nature News discussing the 15% limit on rooftop PV. Hawaii, California removing barrier limiting rooftop solar projects The nation’s top 2 solar states are re-examining rules that can discourage rooftop solar projects. Other states are expected to follow their lead. By Maria Gallucci, InsideClimate