Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More With Maui County under a Stage 1 Water Shortage the county’s Department of Water Supply reminds Central and South Maui visitors and residents to continue conserving water When the water shortage was initially declared for Central and South Maui in Sept. 2024 the demand has recently been creeping upward Central and South Maui service areas include Waihee A Stage 1 Water Shortage is declared if the anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed the available water supply by 1% to 15% DWS says irrigation is allowed only two days per week on the following schedule: Restrictions apply to all users including county parks and facilities The initial declaration mandated that customers must repair leaks breaks or faulty sprinklers; existing pools cannot be emptied and refilled using potable water unless it’s for health or safety reasons; and filling or refilling ornamental ponds is prohibited Voluntary actions include avoid washing vehicles unless using a container hose or automatic shut-off device or at a commercial car wash; do not water vegetated areas to the point of creating runoff and within 48 hours of a rainfall event; limit irrigation to landscaped areas to the hours before 9 a.m and after 5 p.m.; hotels should offer guests the option to not have linens/towels laundered daily; and restaurants are to serve water only upon request Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox The ruling overturns a water commission decision that failed to return more flows to four Central Maui streams after the closure of a former plantation in 2016 Hawaii’s Supreme Court has sided with Native Hawaiian plaintiffs in a long-running case over stream flows in Central Maui Justice Sabrina McKenna authored the 134-page unanimous opinion finding that the Commission on Water Resource Management failed to restore adequate streamflows to Waihee collectively known as Na Wai Eha or the “Four Great Waters” of Central Maui after closure of the former Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar plantation in 2016 They provide not just an abundant amount of water but they have an extensive native ecosystem and provide more than 65% of the water for the entire island,” said Hokuao Pellegrino In last Thursday’s high court decision, the justices ruled that the commission did not protect the rights of Native Hawaiians who are dependent on stream flows for a variety of purposes as required by the state constitution These protected activities include kalo farming and gathering the commission retained existing flow levels in a 2021 decision rather than take “the historic opportunity” to restore water to the four streams of Na Wai Eha That decision “appears to have resulted from passive failure to take the initiative to protect the public trust in light of HC&S’s closure.” “We are grateful that the supreme court continues to understand that the health and well-being of our community is directly linked to the health and well-being of our ʻaina wai and kai,” said Pellegrino in a news release “This ruling once again makes clear that the protection of our streams and kuleana kalo farmers’ rights is of utmost importance It further speaks to the resiliency of the Na Wai ʻEha community and our commitment to malama our water resources increase kalo production and revive mauka-to-makai native ecosystems.”  brought the case on behalf of Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha and Maui Tomorrow Foundation The Office of Hawaiian Affairs joined in the case along with the other plaintiffs Na Wai ‘Eha were drained dry for private profit but this latest ruling by the supreme court further turns the flow of history toward justice,” said Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake in the news release The court’s decision comes almost 20 years to the day when the Maui community groups sued the state over its handling of water in Na Wai ‘Eha on June 25 the court sent the case back to the water commission to properly restore Na Wai ‘Eha stream flows.  “This makes it crystal clear to them what they have to do,” said Pellegrino by phone Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation Civil Beat’s coverage of environmental issues on Maui is supported by grants from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund the Knight Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Paula Dobbyn is a reporter for Civil Beat based on the Big Island Reach her by email at pdobbyn@civilbeat.org on Twitter @pauladobbyn or on Instagram @bigislandreporter Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha has filed a formal complaint over potential stream flow violations in Waihee River but the companies that divert from the river and a state hydrologist say that the river gauge is prone to error and that the stream flows are being met Hui President Hokuao Pellegrino confirmed that the group filed a complaint with the state water commission on Tuesday based on water commission data that show Waihee River levels periodically dropping below the interim in-stream flow standard of 10 million gallons a day since Sept “Hui o Na Wai ‘Eha does not take violations to the IIFS and breaking the law lightly especially because we know how critically important sufficient stream flow is for the survivability of our native aquatic species estuaries/wetlands/eco-systems and the traditional and customary practices of Native Hawaiians who farm on kuleana lands,” the group said in a Facebook post Monday Na Wai ‘Eha refers to “the Four Great Waters” of Waihee River hui members have been expressing concerns about falling levels in the Waihee River Part of their concerns stemmed from Mahi Pono’s recent efforts to clean out the Spreckels Ditch which once diverted water from three Na Wai ‘Eha streams but has been closed and overgrown with weeds since 2016 recently cleaned out and reopened the ditch which is capable of diverting water from Waihee The water flows to the Waiale Reservoir behind the Maui Community Correctional Center before being delivered to the fields in Central Maui but Pellegrino said he wasn’t yet sure what was causing the water levels to drop said Monday that “we have not engaged in any activities that could have triggered lower stream flows in Waihee River.” “The minimal amount of water that was diverted into the Spreckels Ditch during a 10-day period earlier this month was diverted from Iao Stream (Wailuku River) “This amount of diverted water was small and our understanding is that the Iao Stream’s flow remained comfortably above the IIFS during this time.” Nakama did not provide a total amount for the water diverted but said the water was used “to flush any remaining loose vegetation” out of the ditch and into the reservoir Mahi Pono posted updates on its Facebook page about ongoing work to clean the Spreckels Ditch which residents had complained was infested with rats and overrun with weeds Nakama said Monday that Mahi Pono planned to use the ditch “as an irrigation waterway in support of our diversified food crops in Central Maui.” He added that the company “does not have any immediate plans for any other ditch reopenings.” a big concern of hui members is that the Waiale Reservoir can lose 6 to 8 mgd due to seepage Pellegrino recalled that HC&S had talked about potentially lining the reservoir or creating a bypass to prevent water loss Nakama said that “we are committed to implementing efficient irrigation methods throughout our agricultural operations.” “This commitment includes looking for ways to minimize the use of Waiale Reservoir,” Nakama said “We have already started this process and all reasonable options are being considered We hope to implement something soon.” is the other entity with diversions on the Waihee River The company doesn’t use the water for agriculture or other operations President Avery Chumbley countered the claims of falling water levels and said that “stream flows have been well above the IIFS for a continued period of time.” “We’ve had an extremely dry period and the stream flows are down but our diversions that we’re taking out of the Waihee system are nowhere near what they have been in the past,” Chumbley said “The demands and the usage have changed significantly.” Chumbley said that the Waihee River has two side-by-side diversions — a north diversion and a south diversion During the massive rains and flooding in September 2016 the south diversion was plugged up “almost 100 percent and the stream bed got altered significantly.” Since then the stream has started to flow more toward the north side “We’ve never gone in and unplugged (the south diversion) because we didn’t need the volume of water for the users as the demand has reduced significantly primarily due to no sugar,” Chumbley said Chumbley added that the gauges in the streams are not always accurate forcing the need for them to be recalibrated from time to time and that it’s not practical for Wailuku Water Co to try and control the water levels moment by moment “We have to view these things on some period of a rolling average,” Chumbley said of the stream flows hydrologist with the state Commission on Water Resource Management said that staff measured the Waihee River station below Spreckels Ditch at 11:15 a.m Online CWRM data from the same station at the same time reported 11.2 cubic feet per second Strauch said that staff who went to the river measured a discharge of 13.22 mgd “That is the most accurate reading,” he said Strauch explained that the sensor that the online data relies on works by converting a pressure reading to a discharge it’s subject to inaccuracies due to the complexities of converting something as complicated as stream flow to a number,” he said “The real-world pressure measurements by the equipment in the stream are influenced by barometric pressure and atmospheric temperature Then these readings are converted by an algorithm into a discharge measurement we are pretty confident in our current rating model (subject to revision following subsequent measurements).” Strauch said that the equipment is subject to fluctuating temperatures and that the reported stream level tends to dip in the middle of the day when the sun heats the equipment which has happened since the sensor was installed but the bottom line is that the IIFS is being met,” Strauch said “A replacement for the sensor will be expensive and we are looking at all alternatives.” If staff measured 13.22 mgd while the online gauge was reporting 7.23 mgd at the same time the gauge is extremely inaccurate and not calibrated accordingly,” Pellegrino said if the gauge was subject to heat fluctuations why hasn’t the stream dropped below 10 mgd at any other time this year Even during a summer of record-breaking heat on Maui the Waihee River has stayed above 10 mgd until mid-September “If the preliminary data online is inaccurate why is the commission staff not communicating this with all of the Na Wai ‘Eha stakeholders in a timely manner?” Pellegrino asked such as real-time gauges as mentioned earlier is the only means in which all off-stream users can be held accountable while fostering transparency within the community.” * Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com All Maui County pools on the Valley Isle will close May 14 for staff training Maui County will host a job fair with 20 different departments from police .. Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street Enrolling in Hawaiʻi’s public schools is a straightforward process that involves determining school eligibility and completing an application either online or in person We are committed to providing a high-quality education for all students and we look forward to welcoming your child to our school system. Learn how to determine your school through the SchoolSite Locator App The Department provides bus service in neighborhoods around the islands to ensure broad access to educational opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s students and serves about 25,000 student riders across the state.  Students who consistently attend school are more likely to achieve academic excellence students gain access to a world of knowledge and develop the confidence to reach their full potential.  educational specialists and staff to foster equity and excellence in our public schools skilled and passionate professionals who will help bring the Department’s Strategic Plan to life stories and events from Hawai‘i public schools 1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813Main Line: 808-784-6200Email Privacy Policy | About Our Ads The Waiheʻe-Waiehu area of Maui was ranked as number three on a list of best places for home ownership in Hawaiʻi according to a new list published by the NerdWallet consumer advocacy site The site touts itself as a location that “crunches numbers” and provides “unfiltered results” to money questions relating to banking the ranking was determined by analyzing the 49 places in Hawaiʻi with more than 5,000 residents The analysis attempted to determine which places had characteristics that were the most favorable to homebuyers by focusing on three main questions: (1) Are homes available?; (2) Can you afford to live there?; and (3) Is the city growing The Waiehu Golf Course is among the attractions in the Waiheʻe-Waiehu community the Waiheʻe-Waiehu area had an 81.6% home ownership rate a median monthly household income of $7,177 “The costs of owning a home in the Waiheʻe-Waiehu area take up just 27.3% of the median monthly household income — the lowest percentage on the list,” according to the site The area was one of only three neighbor island location included on the list and was ranked behind Oʻahu’s Kapolei and Ocean Pointe in Ewa Beach which were ranked first and second respectively Other neighbor island communities included on the list were number seven ranked Kalaoa and number nine ranked Hawaiian Paradise Park–both on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi “Hawaiʻi’s median home values are nearly three times higher than the national average making relocation to the Aloha State a major challenge,” said NerdWallet’s Sara Collins “Resources like down-payment assistance and home-buyer education classes help to ease the process,” she said noting that the new ranking helped to determine which communities offer the best conditions for buying a home The full report is available online the acquisition of land at Lipoa Point will ensure the preservation and conservation of the area’s pristine condition for the community and the people of West Maui for generations to come WEST MAUI – Joined by a delegation of Maui lawmakers and community groups Neil Abercrombie on Friday morning signed into law House Bill 1424 which authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to use an appropriation of $20 million for the purchase and acquisition of land parcels at Lipoa Point The measure also calls for utilizing proceeds from the sale to capitalize the pension plan of retirees of the land’s seller “The signing of this bill marks an important day for the residents of West Maui and all the people of Maui Through the hard work and collaborative efforts of several organizations protect and pass on a valuable Maui asset to future generations “I would like to especially recognize my colleague for introducing the bill to preserve Honolua Bay and for successfully shepherding it through the legislature.” “This measure speaks to the power of unity and diversity and what amazing things can happen when people get involved with the process phone calls and letters from people of all walks of life and all islands speaking in one voice Flanked by state legislators and members of community groups “This measure brought the environmental community business and other groups – who have been traditionally diametrically opposed on pieces of legislation – to come together as one for this important cause.” This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together,” said Sen signing the bill into law is just the first step of the journey We must continue working together to develop a comprehensive sustainable plan to ensure that the bay and surrounding lands are protected and enhanced for the benefit of all now and into the future.” Maui House legislators participating in the public signing ceremony included Souki and Representatives McKelvey Other measures signed into law Friday include: which appropriates $600,000 for the establishment of a Maalaea-based special emergency medical response vehicle unit to service Maui on a 24-hour This will supplement the two ambulances already servicing Maui and will directly impact the health of Maui residents for the better SB1412 requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to accommodate Native Hawaiian canoes for cultural and education purposes at small boat harbors across the state And HB1328 will increase the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission’s purchasing flexibility by making permanent the exemption for the procurement of food or fuel products | https://www.lahainanews.com | 143 Dickenson St “The most important concern for my district is addressing the overcrowding of schools.” Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected The following came from Troy Hashimoto, Democratic candidate for state House District 8, which includes Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku and Waikapu. The other Democratic candidates are Robert Hill and Ka’apuni Aiwohi Go to Civil Beat’s Elections Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the Primary Election Ballot Hawaii has been deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic Perhaps the biggest impact is to the economy and the tourism industry which has been Hawaii’s biggest economic driver Do you think state leaders have handled the response to the virus effectively including the approach to testing and health care as well as the stay-at-home orders that have caused serious economic harm there were so many unknowns and I believe with the facts at hand the right decisions were made to “flatten the curve.” The proof is in our results with wide-scale testing and I have continually asked the state Department of Health and Hawaii Emergency Management to make this a priority With the federal CARES funds now available it is a matter of getting organized and executing I believe asymptomatic patients are the biggest threat of continuing a first wave and creating a substantial second wave I also believe the data does not support us staying closed We must open the economy at a quicker pace while aggressively testing and tracing The state budget is facing record shortfalls All departments will have to go through their budget and eliminate unnecessary spending and any vacancies all excess balances of special funds must be transferred to the general fund and most tax exemptions of the general excise tax must be eliminated The federal government also has made available the municipal liquidity facility which is a line of credit to state and local governments who have seen their revenues collapse during the COVID-19 crisis I believe we are in a situation where using this line of credit is warranted and necessary My hope is that the federal government in their next round of stimulus relief will also offer federal dollars for state and counties for the purposes of budget shortfalls What do you think should be done to diversify the economy What would you do as an elected official to make that happen I recently read an eye-opening column by Lee Cataluna who outlined the decades of warnings by Hawaii governors to diversify the economy from the time of Gov the warnings were not heeded because in part of the difficulty to create many types of industries in the middle of the Pacific but there has been tremendous push-back in possible areas including astronomy and the bio-tech industry The first step is likely developing a collective of what the community is willing to allow in the state and pushing it forward will be our economy for the foreseeable future A priority must be focusing on attracting visitors with a higher spend rate It is my opinion that Hawaii should not be marketed as a destination for all a tipping point was being reached with an overwhelming number of visitors I believe we must double down on our main economic driver but do it in a way that is thoughtful and strategic Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities how would you propose to meet pension and health obligations for public workers Would you support reductions in benefits including in pension contributions for public employees in light of virus-related budget shortfalls I am satisfied with the current plan to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities It is a promise that was made to public employees and must be fulfilled I do not support reductions in benefits for existing employees There likely will be a point where benefits for any new employees may have to be revisited because of our fiscal reality The state’s virus response effort has exposed deep rifts within the top levels of government so what would you do to ensure public confidence in Hawaii’s government officials and top executives I believe that disagreement is healthy and normal in the political process Democracy is built on a foundation of checks and balances I believe the Legislature has been asking tough questions of the administration on a regular basis to ensure that the very best outcome is achieved for the people of Hawaii I think at times the media sensationalizes what goes on in hearings once the cameras are turned off there is a lot of collaboration going on among the legislative and the executive branches it is up to the governor and his cabinet to actually execute day-to-day activities of government and we must support them in their efforts if we want to see anything get done Recent deaths of citizens at the hands of police are igniting protests and calls for reform across the country primarily aimed at preventing discrimination against people of color How important do you see this as an issue for Hawaii What should be done to improve policing and police accountability throughout the state Do you support police reform efforts such as mandatory disclosure of misconduct records by police agencies and adequate funding for law enforcement oversight boards that have been established in recent years I can only speak from my experiences with my local police department on Maui I have not heard of widespread concerns with MPD interaction with the community but I believe there is always room for improvement MPD has always acted professionally and to my understanding has always investigated incidents of misconduct in a timely manner I understand the frustration across the nation by actions of a few police officers but we cannot make sweeping generalizations of all police officers oversight decisions are best made by the counties who fund and oversee their operations based on their own communities’ feedback Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process I believe a citizens initiative processes favors special interest groups who are well financed and do not allow for issues to be thoroughly vetted The process becomes more of who can create a better marketing campaign rather than how to best address an issue Hawaii’s public records law mandates that public records be made available whenever possible David Ige suspended the open government laws under an emergency order during the pandemic What would you do to ensure the public has access to open meetings and public records in a timely fashion there were so many unknowns at the time when these laws were suspended and it was difficult to determine what was sufficient I believe it is important for all agencies and decision-making bodies to follow the spirit of the Sunshine Law and open records law no matter the circumstances This period showed what worked and what did not and hopefully changes can be made accordingly The pandemic has also shown that our laws need updating to allow for the broader use of video teleconferencing What should Hawaii be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change including sea level rise and threats to the reefs There are many aspects to addressing the effects of climate change My focus has been on roadway infrastructure projects since I serve on the Transportation Committee A recent report by the state Department of Transportation identified 10 roadways in Maui County that will be threatened by sea level rise and the cost to mitigate is upward of $15 billion – just for these Maui County-specific projects cost is a serious concern and raising the appropriate revenue to deal with these issues must be a top concern This is especially true with the dwindling revenues from the highway fund new sources of income must be identified if we are going to see our way through this issue What do you see as the most pressing issue facing your district The most important concern for my district is addressing the overcrowding of schools within the district A new Central Maui middle school is sorely needed as both Iao and Maui Waena are bursting at the seams and relief is sorely needed for our middle school students A new elementary school is also needed in the near future Funds for planning have been included in the state budget for this coming year but completing the project will take a large financial commitment The coronavirus pandemic has exposed numerous flaws in Hawaii’s structure and systems from outdated technology to economic disparity If you could take this moment to reinvent Hawaii to build on what we’ve learned and create a better state Please share One Big Idea you have for Hawaii One area that must be worked on is being able to make government employees more flexible and being able to redeploy them where they are most needed I understand that this may be difficult with negotiated contracts and with the current silos that exist but it is necessary for streamlining and modernizing state government The recent challenges with finding enough staff to assist with unemployment showed the inability and slow pace of redeployment although some employees were moved internally the majority working at unemployment are voluntary This must change and cross-training in areas that may be needed during other types of emergencies is necessary archaeologist David Clark made one of the most significant prehistoric discoveries on Maui which is at the end of an access road across from the county’s Waiehu Golf Course yet yielded more than 30,000 pieces of materials dating back nearly 1,000 years the property was sold and covered up to make way for a golf course it was sold to the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and has gone largely forgotten by the public “We all thought this was just the tip of the iceberg,” Clark said Thursday at the site a professor at Catholic University of America in Washington returned to the site for the first time in nearly 30 years He shared his story about the site and his burning desire to see it resurface “I was committed to do five years on the project,” he said “We know it would’ve been landmark in terms of communicating this history and having the community participate in this along the way.” Clark was solicited to do an archaeological dig on the island as part of “The Year of The Hawaiian” celebration His team went through all the records and previous archaeological digs on the island and found a couple surveys from the 1960s in Waihee that piqued his interest Artifacts found in the surveys included fishhooks foreign to Hawaii and appeared to be from southern Polynesians suggesting that they were early settlers of the region Clark also surveyed the geography of the area calm nearshore waters for fishing and a channel to go into deeper water “All of those things told us that this is where there’s going to be villages Clark recalled walking the beach in 1987 and finding some old imu pits His small crew of university students and volunteers got to work digging trenches as deep as 8 to 10 feet with the goal of finding materials to be radiocarbon-dated “We all knew that this was going to be an old place,” Clark said “We just didn’t realize how much stuff there would be.” Discoveries included three large circular areas that were probably used as storage pits post molds from large buildings and substantial amounts of basalt chips used to make small tools The crew also found five or six fireplaces six or seven food preparation pits and many small finishing tools Clark said that a small piece of charcoal excavated at the site was dated to be about 870 years old but another archaeologist later found material more than 900 years old “One place had thousands of these little seeds in it and this circular depressant We left it there because that wasn’t our goal to dig this stuff up,” he said “What would we do with it anyways?” Dozens of stories published by The Maui News documented Clark’s visits to the island and two excavation periods in the summers of 1987 and 1988 Many revolved around elementary school students who helped clean uncovered materials at the site and learned about Native Hawaiian history Clark said that educating students was one of the primary goals for the project and estimated around 1,200 students worked at the site He planned to continue work for three more years “This is what we dreamed about — that this would be held in perpetuity for the Hawaiian people,” he said “But when we started this in ’87 we never realized that there was going to be this political firestorm that these guys lied to us and all the while had intentions to sell the property.” Japanese company Sokan Hawaii bought the 277-acre property for $10 million in 1988 with plans to build an 18-hole golf course The company also discussed selling memberships for as much as $66,000 and building tennis courts according to stories published by The Maui News on April 6 Clark said that he begged the company to allow his crew to continue work “I got down on my knees and went to their reps and said just give me four weeks to bring my crew to dig out and just map all the stuff that we left there and we’ll fill it in forever or whenever we’re going to come back,’ ” he recalled saying “But they made it quite clear that they did not want me there during the permit process “I was really offended by that and I was maybe a little immature on my part but if they couldn’t see the light,” then what could he do The company’s proposal sharply divided the Waihee community and was eventually put on hold in the 1990s due to a collapse in Japan’s economy The property was eventually sold to the Maui Coastal Land Trust (now part of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust) for $4.8 million in 2004 the land trust’s first executive director recalled the historic purchase alongside Clark at the renamed Waihe’e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge The preserve is now conserved in perpetuity through a partnership between the land trust and the state Department of Lands and Natural Resources “It’s a real chicken-skin place,” Bonar said The preserve is believed to be the place where the peace treaty after the Battle of Kepaniwai was agreed upon and the resting place of the goddess Mo’o “It’s a highly significant site,” Bonar said “More significant than most people even realize.” associate executive director of the land trust and Maui island director said that the preserve is unquestionably one of the earliest sites on the island and has 93 state-listed archaeological sites ranging from the 10th century to the plantation era Fischer noted another story of the region about the demigod Maui who was said to have gathered coconut husks from just behind the preserve at Pe’eloko that he used to make a net to snare the sun “It’s such an incredible place and has such a story to tell for really everyone on Maui,” Fischer said The stories about the preserve and artifacts found in the region draw parallels to the home island depicted in Disney’s film “Moana.” While creators of the film were reportedly inspired by trips to Fiji history of the Waihee area could drum up renewed interest in discovering more about the region Fischer said that he is doing postdoctoral research on paleoecology which was launched by Clark’s findings He said many questions about the origins of Polynesian people in Hawaii have been answered over the last 30 years but people still do not understand how Hawaii’s lands were quickly transformed and how the early Polynesians lived in harmony with the land “We can learn so much from our kupuna and that’s what we really need to emphasize,” Fischer said “Our kupuna went through the same challenges we’re going through now and they were able to live in harmony with one another so there’s so much more we can learn from them.” Fischer hopes archaeological work will resume at the site but needs strong support from the community grants and educational opportunities would follow Clark is eager to see the site uncovered again and hopes it will find funding and support from the community Archaeological digs for research and academia are rare nowadays despite the field enjoying the largest job market in the country ever “It’s all development,” he said “If you want to clear a highway so you can build an expressway or a building or townhouses — you bring your archaeologist in you write your report and you go on to the next one.” Clark said that his team laid out plastic before the area was filled in so someone could easily continue work He said he would like local archaeologists to take over the project “I just want a chance to go back there for a few years and set up what I started out to do,” he said “I need to go back and dig the site that I designed.” * Chris Sugidono can be reached at  csugidono@mauinews.com Troy Hashimoto and school teacher Justin Hughey have been selected by members of the Maui County Democratic Party to be considered for the vacate Senate District 5 seat that covers Central Maui Maui County Democratic Party officials have nominated a state representative an attorney and an elementary teacher to fill the Senate District 5 seat left vacant by Gilbert Keith-Agaran Josh Green will now decide between Jason Economou former government affairs director for the Realtors Association of Maui; Central Maui state House Rep former King Kamehameha III Elementary School teacher Members of the Maui County Democratic Party Committee’s Senate District 5 selection body comprised of the party’s district officers who reside in the district selected the three after a meeting at Iao Intermediate School and via Zoom Saturday and forwarded the names to the governor on Monday afternoon Senate District 5 encompasses House Districts 9 and 10 Keith-Agaran submitted his resignation on Aug Senate President Ronald Kouchi and the Maui County Democrats Keith-Agaran told The Maui News at the time that he didn’t want questions over conflict of interest to be a “distraction” as his law firm prepared to represent clients in lawsuits over the Lahaina fire The outgoing senator was first appointed to serve as the representative for House District 9 in 2009 He was appointed senator of District 5 in 2013 won the seat outright in 2014 and continued to win reelection until his retirement this year 30 to make a selection to replace Keith-Agaran “We are proud to send the names of three engaged Democrats for the Governor’s consideration,” Donna Domingo acting chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i Maui County Democratic Party Chairman Jared Sam Agtunong said Monday afternoon that there were four candidates but one was disqualified as that candidate failed to meet the requirement to get 10 Democratic voters’ signatures from the district pledging their support for the candidate which normally are taken to choose the top candidates were taken anyway at the meeting to show Green the level of support each candidate received from the selection body Hashimoto said that Keith-Agaran leaves “big shoes to fill.”  “But I believe my work and track record in the House shows that I am able to collaborate with our community and also my colleagues in the Legislature,” said Hashimoto a 36-year-old Wailuku resident who holds the House District 8 seat that includes Kahakuloa “I look at this step as a natural next step it takes years for progress to be made on issues I believe I am up to the challenge and I hope the Governor favorably considers my nomination.”  a 2005 King Kekaulike High School graduate served as executive assistant to former Maui County Council Chairman Mike White from 2011 until 2018 when he was appointed by then-Gov David Ige to fill the remainder of the term for the seat vacated by resigning Rep Hashimoto was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2020 and 2022 He also served as the Maui County Democratic Party chairman from 2013 to 2017 said that now that he is not a lobbyist for the Realtors Association of Maui where he worked with different politicians he feels he can delve into politics freely “Service has always been a major core value of mine,” said the 37-year-old Paukukalo resident who also served in the Peace Corps in Uganda He said he has “immense respect” for Keith-Agaran as the two worked together on the Maui Food Bank board He said the former senator has a “really impressive mind.”  “It just seemed like a great opportunity to go ahead and offer my service,” said Economou who has worked in politics and public policy for years He currently runs Economou Law & Consulting LLC a boutique law firm specializing in government relations Economou said he doesn’t really expect to be selected and thinks Hashimoto will be chosen describing him as an “incredible” candidate “Public service and public office is definitely things that are on my radar and this just seemed like a good way to get involved with that process,” he said used to teach at King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Lahaina Students from the school were relocated temporarily to Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary in Lahaina but Hughey had concerns about the health impacts of being close to the burn zones and now teaches at Kahului School Hughey said he put his name in the ring due to his concerns over massive failures in government from the Aug the cost of living and the maintenance of schools “The status quo is a massive failure,” he added Hughey recently authored a resolution entitled “Supporting a just recovery from the Maui wildfires for the people of Lahaina,” that was adopted by the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i The resolution calls for the governor and lawmakers to create a relief package for impacted residents and businesses using the state’s rainy day fund and to have the Legislature exempt from the state’s personal income tax any unemployment income received by impacted workers who have lost their jobs The former vice president of the Hawai’i State Teachers Association Hughey has also previously been active with Na Hale O Maui a nonprofit community land trust that provides affordable housing ownership to low- and moderate-income households Hughey was the first beneficiary of the land trust * Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the nonprofit Hawaii Land Trust a $803,700 grant under its Climate-Ready Coasts initiative the funds (part of the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities) represent its largest-ever operational grant and will be used for the restoration of Kapoho Loko Ia and Loi Kalo at HILT’s 277-acre Waihee Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge on Maui “We are grateful to NOAA for this opportunity to expand our engagement with the Waihee and Waiehu communities in collaborative ecosystem stewardship and Native Hawaiian cultural practice,” said HILT president and CEO Olu Campbell “We intend these efforts to connect people to aina strengthen coastal resilience and work toward the restoration of a sustainable HILT said it will work with the community to restore the flow of water to the taro fields and fishpond by building a ridge-to-reef model for collaborative land and ocean stewardship The process will include outreach meetings volunteer workdays and educational activities Waihee Refuge was once home to two ancient Hawaiian villages an extensive inland fishpond and several heiau The refuge was granted permanent protection in 2003 and HILT has since worked to restore natural habitat provide cultural and aina-based educational programming and share recreational opportunities for the Waihee community The Climate-Ready Coasts initiative invests in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; build resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events pollution and marine debris; restore coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; build the capacity of underserved communities and support community-driven restoration; and provide employment opportunities “Any way we can give more power to people instead of self-serving career politicians is a high priority for me.” The following came from Ka’apuni Aiwohi, Democratic candidate for state House District 8, which includes Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku and Waikapu. The other Democratic candidates are Troy Hashimoto and Robert Hill which is evidenced by the too many currently unemployed The state has continued to push and fund unsustainable industries and now we reap that bounty Our quarantine process for out-of-state travelers is still an embarrassment We could open to our local economy if we appropriately protected them from out-of-state visitors This new crisis gave us time to figure out what future we really expect The strength of our community is our people and we need to ensure that we continue to invest there and in sustainable industries I will protect our aina and our keiki and I will cut from places that take a majority of wealth earned in Hawaii to out-of-state locations We have so much power in our state that is left unused every day Is it too much to ask for our state to feed itself We have done it before for generations with a lot less technology and a lot more aloha What we need to do is regulate those that take the most and balance our power across all of our residents Kanaka were also very interested in technology I would love to see foundations built for a responsible technology sector Unfunded liabilities are the elephant in the room A lot of promises were made in the past that the future needs to pick up the slack This is not an easy answer for anyone but the state needs to look at what is realistic and what is best for everyone A point will come where the bottom will fall out and we are going to need a backup plan even if that is uncomfortable Is it my kuleana to ensure the public has confidence in incompetent people which is exactly why there are different branches of government Reform is not something people should be scared of we need to continuously update the ways we do this to evolve for all different industries how will it benefit the greater good of our state I support building a stronger mental health sector to help police We rely on the police to do too much that is out of their scope If a majority of incarcerated are Kanaka Maoli how do we adapt our police departments to better address that concern Any way we can give more power to people instead of self-serving career politicians is a high priority for me we will not move closer to progress if we don’t step in the right direction The purpose of suspending those laws are for efficiency but people are noticing that it is being used to exclude the public The public deserves leaders who will call out this injustice without fear This is a much bigger problem than what people see My mother and father told me if you are going to do it There are so many actions that people can take as individuals to attack these threats but the bigger kuleana falls on the leaders This is not a sexy topic for our state so no one talks about it I will look to use my power to balance our aina Our state can not even stop negative sunscreen from entering the ocean even when there is mountains of evidence My district has an impressive population of Native Hawaiians This means that our district is lower in test scores but higher in death rates and incarceration rates If no one prioritizes our community then our homesteads will continue to decline and it is our children who will end up suffering the most Here is an innovative idea for our current state leaders Raise the minimum wage to a point where people can survive without government help Our Hawaii can return to an era in history where we are protective When we can ensure that even the least heard can contribute to the greater society The Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a new 40-foot-tall cellular tower along Kahekili Highway that spurred objections from some residents living in the Waiehu Kou subdivisions across from the project site requested a special use permit for the tower which would include a monopole designed to look like a palm tree along with support equipment on a 980-square-foot portion of an 8.1-acre agricultural lot at 1651 Kahekili Highway The company said the cellular antenna is needed to “fill a significant gap” in AT&T’s 4G LTE coverage in the Waihee and Waiehu area and along Kahekili Highway It also will include AT&T’s 850-megahertz low-band 5G technology and help in improving communications for first responders through its efforts with the FirstNet Nationwide Safety Public Broadband Network some of which included residents of the nearby Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Waiehu Kou projects were concerned over the safety of radio frequencies from the tower the tower’s proximity to the subdivisions and the level of community outreach by AT&T The vote on the special use permit was 5-2 with Vice-Chairman Christian Tackett absent and excused Those opposed were Jerry Edlao and Kawika Freitas who asked that commissioners defer the vote so more outreach could be done for residents Freitas said that AT&T did not meet the criteria of the special use permit including being able to assure that the project does not have an adverse impact to the social environmental and ecological character and quality of the surrounding area Freitas said some Native Hawaiians finally living on homestead lands are wary about the antenna and could feel concerned enough to move He said this is enough to affect the character and quality of the areas and have social impacts to the residents Pali said that she has family who lives there and did receive a notice of the project She said some are in favor and even excited about it including one person who is homeschooling their daughter and welcomes the upgraded technology she agreed that the company’s communication with the community could have been better Thompson said he understood the concerns with 5G but noted that even opponents of the antenna likely have a cellphone and that state officials have long signed off on improving technology Commissioners were limited in their powers as a county attorney explained that federal law prevents local governments from setting stricter requirements on radio frequency emissions than the federal government Deputy Corporation Counsel Michael Hopper also said that the commission cannot deny a permit based on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions if the facilities comply with the Federal Communications Commission a study showed that the maximum cumulative simulated radio frequency exposure level at ground level would be less than 1 percent of the general public limit Tomlinson told commissioners that community engagement began around last fall and that some notification documents were even mailed to people beyond the required 500-foot radius Project officials also called community associations and set up a dedicated email account and phone number to address concerns in-person visits and community meetings were not possible He added that they took in community input early on and that the project was changed so that the antenna is now disguised as a palm tree to help it blend in further with the landscape president of the Waiehu Kou Phase 3 Association said he was contacted by someone from the project and told the caller that he was opposed to the project because of its proximity to homes “That was the one and only call I got,” he said noting more community outreach should have been done who represents Maui on the Hawaiian Homes Commission testified as as private citizen and resident of Waiehu Kou Phase 1 He said the application for the county permit does not meet all the criteria needed for approval including one condition that calls for that the public be protected from the “deleterious effects of the proposed use.” Awo quoted Scientific American magazine that showed more than 500 studies pointing to harmful biological or health effects from exposure to radio frequency radiation at intensities too low to cause significant heating He said the same article noted that electromagnetic fields affect living organism at levels well below most international and national guidelines * Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com Hawaii’s Commission on Water Resource Management has approved a settlement that will restore significant amounts of water to rivers and streams in central Maui some of which have run nearly dry since being diverted for plantation agriculture decades ago The settlement largely ends a 10 year fight over how much water Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. and the county’s Department of Water Supply can divert from Na Wai Eha (The Four Great Waters) Hui o Na Wai Eha and Maui Tomorrow Foundation has led the legal fight to force more water to be restored to streams for Native Hawaiian agriculture and ecosystem restoration The Honolulu law firm appealed a 2010 water commission decision that increased water to only two out of the four streams Earthjustice argued that the public trust doctrine required that much more water be restored than what the state commission was requiring The Hawaii Supreme Court agreed in 2012 and required the water commission to take another look at how much water should be restored to the streams the amount of water being restored to the stream beds will nearly double overall and all four streams will flow again the river was basically completely dry,” said Moriwake “So now there is going to be some major amount flowing.” The settlement requires that 10 million gallons of water be restored to Iao Stream daily The current average flow ranges from 13 to 18 million gallons a day Large amounts of water throughout the islands was historically diverted for plantation agriculture As pineapple and sugarcane declined throughout the islands large landowners have fought to hold on to their “water rights” for development purposes DLNR Chair William Aila praised the cooperation of the various parties in a statement “It was the parties themselves who chose to reach this agreement,” he said “Without their collective will to work out a solution  You can read the settlement agreement here Photo: Water diverted through a grate in Iao Valley (Flickr: jongela19)  Your kids will be thrilled to learn that a trip to Maui is in their future There’s nothing more exciting than setting off on a grand adventure and landing in a tropical destination thousands of miles away from everything else If you’re considering taking the family on a Hawaiian vacation you need to consider the best places to stay with your kids.  Let’s consider the best places to stay in Maui, Hawaii for families with kids and look at all the fantastic opportunities and fun restaurants that make them such family-friendly spots With over 730 square miles The County of Maui makes up three other islands besides Maui: Moloka’i Even though all of Maui is worth exploring it always helps to discern where you stay during your trip It’s essential if you have kids with you.  Some of the best places to stay on Maui with kids include:   Situated on the pristine coast of South Maui Wailea is known for its beautiful beaches and its luxurious resort community With no shortage of places to stay and plenty of outdoor beauty to keep you occupied you’ll have a great time staying in Wailea.  Wailea is also a great option if you have any golfers in your family Apart from the crescent-shaped beaches that line the coast the community is known for having some of the island’s best golf courses.   If you want a unique farm-to-table experience, consider Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman and a wonderful staff that treats you like family.  Humuhumunukunukuapua’a is an award-winning resort restaurant named after Hawaii’s state fish it’s the perfect place to enjoy a nice dinner and beautiful views of the sunset.  If you’re looking for something a little more familiar for the kids, you can always try out Matteo’s Osteria The Italian-inspired restaurant and wine bar feature outdoor seating that you’ll want to reserve in advance.  Wailea Beach is the obvious first stop when you’re staying in Wailea plenty of space for sunbathing and swimming and even a place where you could experience an authentic Hawaiian luau.  If you travel south a few miles to the Wailea-Makena area It’s a beautiful beachfront space with spots where you can dive or sunbathe in the sand.  Kamaole Beach Park III is another beach situated north of Wailea There’s lots of beachfront and a grassy area where you and the family can stop for a picnic.  If you’re hoping to make Wailea your summer vacation destination Prices are reasonable since it’s technically an off-season April and May are also great months to visit.   There was a time when Kaanapali was known worldwide for having the best beach in America crystal-clear ocean water is the perfect setting for a family vacation.  and sometimes you can spot whales from the shoreline.  If you feel like getting away from the beach for a while and exploring the village and learning more about Hawaiian culture.  Leilani’s on the Beach is an award-winning restaurant specializing in Hawaiian cuisine and the staff strives to treat everyone like family You and your kids will love your experience at Leilani’s.  Roy’s has served Kaanapali visitors and citizens for over 30 years you’ll find a lovely view surrounded by the beautiful West Maui Mountains.  If you want an authentic Hawaiian experience, take your kids to the Hula Grill Kaanapali Here they only serve the freshest food delivered daily by local farmers So the menu might rotate depending on when you visit.  One of the best things about staying in Kaanapali is the ready access you’ll have to Kaanapali Beach or play family games on the soft sands.  If you’re up for a trip south to the region of Lahaina, you can visit the Maui Animal Farm Your kids will love getting to see all the different animals You can even sign up for a private petting zoo tour.  Maui is known for some stellar hiking trails and staying in Kaanapali means you have easy access to volcanic mountains like Pu’u Kukui There’s a boardwalk that you can book a tour of if your kids are up for a climb.  If riding is more your style, consider checking out the Ironwood Ranch They offer horseback rides through various trails a great way to see a lot of Maui all at once.  If you’re interested in warm weather and sunbathing consider visiting Kaanapali in June or July But if you’re a surfing family or want to catch a glimpse of migrating whales the conditions are more suitable in January or February.   Want to walk the same shores where Hawaiian royalty once vacationed Consider staying in Kihei when you visit Maui with your family.  Kihei now offers a range of beautiful hotels and rental properties Situated on the island’s southwest shore You’ll love Kihei for the easy vacation vibe and the friendly locals who make you feel at home so it could be an excellent option for anyone vacationing on a budget.   Besides the occasional North Pacific Swell or Kona storm Kihei offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere for your island getaway.   If you’re looking for something specific in the food realm, Kihei has plenty of options. Nutcharee’s Authentic Thai Food offers a great selection of noodles and curry dishes that you can easily order online.  Coconut’s Fish Cafe is a top-rated Hawaiian establishment Known for its casual atmosphere and fast service you’ll find delightful family recipes and plenty of new options.  Perfect for any pun lovers in your group, make sure you check out Cafe O’Lei Kihei for lunch or dinner and the family-owned establishment is known for making patrons feel at home.   Kalepolepo Beach Park is more than just a park on the beachfront It’s a cultural landmark for many in the Kihei area once the site of a booming Hawaiian Village and you’ll love the seclusion you find here.  Kihei Regional Park is a beautiful green space where you and your family can enjoy a picnic and maybe a game of catch You won’t be bothered by swarms of other tourists and your kids can run around all they want.  If you have water sports enthusiasts in your family The best time to visit Maui and stay in Kihei is during the off-season or shoulder period of tourist season Suppose you’re interested in booking your stay for a fancy resort area; consider Kapalua It’s a beautifully manicured resort destination featuring luxury hotels and thousands of acres of paradise to explore.  One of the best things about Kapalua is the nature you can observe from your hotel window but there’s something for everyone at Kapalua.  Any golfers in your group will be happy to know that Kapalua is also home to some great golf courses History nerds will love learning about the cultural background of the area and everyone can enjoy plenty of time swimming in the ocean.  If you’re traveling all the way to Hawaii, you have to try the local seafood. There’s no better place to do that than Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar it’s easy to access and offers unique seafood creations.  Merriman’s Kapalua is another great choice if you’re looking for local fare and a great atmosphere but the oceanfront views are well worth the hassle.  Cane & Canoe offers delicious food paired with a stunning backdrop and their produce is sourced from local farmers making their entire establishment 100% Hawaiian.  The obvious first stop – after you check in to your hotel It’s a beautiful beach with clear water that makes it easy to spot fish and turtles and it’s a great spot to go scuba-diving if you feel inclined.  Fleming Beach is another great beach in Kapalua a great place for the kids to play when they’re done in the water It’s a large beach so you can spread out from the other visitors.  If you want to experience some of the best views in Kapalua then take your family to Makaluapuna Point There’s a short hiking trail and a rocky point where you can watch the waves roll into the coast.  Located in nearby Lahaina, Maui Off-Road Adventures is a fun and exciting way to experience the Hawaiian backcountry the best time to visit Maui is in the late spring or early fall and the whole island will feel quieter.   Pukalani means “window of heaven.” It’s considered part of upcountry Maui Staying in Pukalani gives you access to rare vistas of almost the entire island of Maui you’ll see why that is such a fitting name.  Pukalani is a great place to stay because you have wide access to all that Maui offers You’re also close to some great hiking trails Staying in Pukalani will give you a more localized experience of Maui while keeping you close to the action and excitement that made you want to visit in the first place.    Kalei’s Lunch Box Pukalani is a charming little spot where you can order online and take your food out for a picnic with the kiddos They have a wide range of reasonably priced meals with something for everyone to enjoy.  If you’re in the mood for Italian, you’re in luck! Serpico’s Restaurant serves the best Jersey-style pizza in all of Maui’s upcountry Mixed Plate is a great place in the area to get an authentic There are plenty of healthy options for the health-conscious in your group.  The recently opened Pukalani Skate Park is grassy right next to a swimming pool and a local school If you have any skateboard lovers in your family A great outdoor activity for the whole family is the Kahakapao Loop Trail you can take your kids to see a beautiful Hawaiian rainforest Just watch out for the mountain bikers who enjoy the trail as well A trip to Pukalani is incomplete without a visit to the Upcountry Farmers Market It’s a charming walk-through market with locally made items and fresh You can get everything from fresh fish to locally grown coffee the best time to visit Pukalani is sometime in April or May and you and your family will have a quieter Hawaiian experience.   Another charming community in Maui’s lovely upcountry is Makawao You’ll find a wide range of diverse shops and fun little eateries you might see an authentic Hawaiian cowboy Hawaiian cowboys have been an essential part of the Makawao community since the 1800s and even offer horseback riding to some visitors.  you’ll immediately fall in love with the eclectic village.   When visiting Hawaii, you might not think of Italian food first, but Casanova Italian Restaurant is a must-see in Makawao Polli’s Mexican Restaurant is another excellent example of the diverse culture you can experience in Makawao you’ll enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious drinks.  Makawao Garden Cafe is an unbeatable local option You can get delicious fresh salads or sandwiches and enjoy the garden views with outdoor seating.  Since you’re staying in paniolo country, you must check out the Makawao Rodeo You’ll have to visit over the Fourth of July to catch the big event but check out other events that might be taking place if you’re visiting some other time.  Visiting the valley around Waiohiwi Gulch guarantees a memorable experience for you and your family you can also visit the nearby falls for truly stunning views.  If you want to experience labyrinths and a 10,000-square-foot nursery, the best place to do it is the Sacred Garden of Maliko You can even take a walk through the gardens under the moonlight When you’ve had a full day of exploring and need a sweet treat to boost your energy You can find Portuguese donuts and other unique pastries at the over 100-year-old store.  But if you’re more interested in temperate weather and affordable prices try visiting in the early fall.   and many retail centers like shopping malls and department stores.  Kahului is less of a tourist center than a community But that might make it the perfect place to call home while exploring Maui You won’t have to deal with large crowds or restaurant wait times And you’ll have easy access to all the local attractions.   There are plenty of tasty options for local eateries, including Da Shrimp Hale where you can get generous portions of delicious seafood for reasonable prices.  Tiki Tiki Thai Cuisine is another stellar option hosted by locals who take pride in their cuisine Make sure you call ahead for reservations if you plan to dine in.  If you’re looking for a casual lunch spot, check out Tin Roof Maui The family-owned business is operated by Chef Sheldon Simeon They strive to make the business feel like home.   Maui Plane Rides offer tourists a great way to see Maui and other parts of the Hawaiian Islands and waterfalls when you book a plane tour of the beautiful island.  If you want to experience seven acres of beautiful Hawaiian gardens, take your kiddos to the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens There are lots of friendly staff nearby to answer any questions you might have.  Kahului Beach is an obvious destination if you’re staying in the area You can let your kids swim while you relax on the beach or get a family game of beach volleyball going.  The best time to visit Kahului is generally in the spring or fall Winter is typically the rainy season on the island but it also features some of the nicest temperatures on the island.   It’s a coastal community with excellent hotels and resort-style rental properties making it a great choice for your vacation getaway.  If you’re considering taking the kids to stay in Waihee-Waiehu you’ll love all the easy-access attractions you’re right next to stunning features of nature like the Waihee Canyon.   It’s also a great place to play a few rounds of golf if you or anyone in your family likes to hit the green every so often.  When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, head on over to one of the best diners in Maui: Tasty Crust making it an interesting and historic place to enjoy a meal.  Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe is another excellent option although it’s more fitting if you’re ready for sweets and dessert after dinner You’ll love the pastries made with fresh fruit It’s not hard to see why Stillwell’s is considered the best bakery in Maui.  Ula’Ula Cafe is a stylish food truck that offers something for everyone and even vegan options if you have any plant-based folks in your crew.  Staying in Waihee-Waiehu means plenty of fun outdoor activities to get your kids moving and having a good time. Start with the Waihee Ridge Trail if you’re looking for a challenging hike through some of the most picturesque Hawaiian valleys Waiehu Beach Park has no lifeguards There are also lovely picnic areas where you and your family can enjoy a nice meal in between all the fun.  A beautiful lookout point in the area is Waihee Point It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunset if you show up at the right time.  consider visiting Waihee-Waiehu in the early fall The water will still be perfect for swimming!  close to the upcountry part of the island along the slopes of the Haleakala Volcano.  Kula is a great place to stay with your family Your kids will have a great time exploring the countryside and enjoying beautiful views.  One of the best things about Kula is the bright flower farms that benefit from the volcanic soil It creates a stunning backdrop for family photos or for watching the sunset on the horizon.  Kula Bistro is a great local favorite you’ll feel relaxed and at home when you stop by.  all you have to do is swing by La Provence on Lower Kula Road They also have a full lunch menu and bistro classics to satisfy visitors.  Nui’s Garden Kitchen is a Thai food truck closely associated with a farmers’ market and produces farm that offers only the best produce in season.  Hawaii is known for its excellent produce. It’s the only state in America that can grow coffee. That’s why you have to try the Maui Chocolate Coffee Tours It’s an excellent opportunity to see how coffee and chocolate come into being in Hawaii.  Kula Botanical Gardens is another excellent attraction worth visiting while staying in Kula You can enjoy eight acres of beautiful Hawaiian and Polynesian flora on the volcano’s slopes.  If you have older kids in your family, try taking them on a hike up Pu’unianiau Mountain take plenty of pictures when you arrive.   If you want to experience Kula at its best consider booking your stay for late spring and you’ll have the best weather imaginable.   A family vacation in Maui is a dream come true for most families Taking your kids on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii will create great memories and give your kids amazing experiences.  Finding the perfect place to stay with your kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare knowing that there are plenty of great options for your stay.  And no matter where you go, there will be plenty of delicious local restaurants, beaches, and amazing activities to keep your family occupied.  Copyright © 2025 The Family Vacation Guide · Privacy Policy · Sitemap