Big changes are coming to Hanauma Bay starting November 1, as the City of Honolulu launches a new partnership with Roberts Hawaii aimed at reducing congestion and improving the visitor experience. Up to 400 of the 1,400 daily visitor spots will now be tied to Roberts Hawaii’s all-electric shuttle packages from Waikiki and Ala Moana, allowing bookings up to 60 days in advance—while the city’s own reservations will still open just 48 hours ahead and sell out fast. The new system includes transportation, guaranteed admission, and the required safety video shown en route, offering convenience but sparking debate among locals over access and commercialization. Resident entry remains free, and conservation efforts continue to be the bay’s top priority. Source: Beat of Hawaii
Tag Archives: The Hansen Ohana
Reminder: Turn Your Clocks Back

Many think of the fall season to fall back and spring forward in the spring! Hawaii does not “fall back” for the time change because it does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST) at all and remains on Hawaii Standard Time (HST) year-round.
Committee Meeting Continues Today
The Housing and Land Use Committee will continue meeting today, Thursday October 23rd at 11:00 am HST Council Chamber, Kalana o Maui Building, 8th Floor, 200 South High St., Wailuku, Hawai‘i.
To view the meeting live via Maui Council YouTube here, online via teams here, or via Maui Council Facebook here.
Although verbal testimony is now closed, you can send a ecomment directly here.
Take the time to observe our council members during meetings—watch how they listen, how they respond, and the expressions on their faces as community members speak. You can learn a great deal about who truly represents your interests and whether they are protecting our community as a whole. Maui’s future is on the line, and now is the time for all of us to stay informed, engaged, and ready to take action.
Housing And Land Use Committee Meeting Today!
Date: Wednesday, October 22nd
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Council Chamber, Kalana o Maui Building, 8th Floor, 200 South High St., Wailuku, Hawai‘i
Agenda: Link to Agenda
Submit eComment: Link to eComment
Latest Bill 9 Update
NEWSLETTER UPDATE REGARDING PROPERTY VACANCY TAX & TIG/BILL 9 MEETING/INFO UPDATES
Aloha Once Again,
First of all, thanking all of you for hanging in there, sharing the info we send you, and above all caring about Maui and its future. It means so much to know you are out there. Below is a summary from the Maui Vacation Rental Association which is concise, and we feel an easy read. You will note our comments in CAPS.
The one other statement we would like to say to all of you is don’t allow these delay tactics to deter you,rumors to divert or fear to influence you to give up. This is just the beginning of Government Greed. Be sure to check out Summary Section 6 of the TIG Suggestions. If you don’t have the full report, email us at dad@mauirealestate.net and we will email it to you. Part of that states that a vacancy tax would compensate the government for some of lost tax revenue from taking property rights away from some STR’s.
Below is information we have obtained from MVRA with our comments in CAPS;
The Housing and Land Use (HLU) Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, October 22nd at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the findings of the Temporary Investigative Group (TIG). This meeting should bring additional clarityregarding how decisions were made about individual complexes.
Meeting Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 22nd Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Council Chamber, Kalana o Maui Building, 8th Floor, 200 South High St., Wailuku, Hawai‘i
Agenda: Link to Agenda
Submit eComment: Link to eComment
A Few Important Reminders:
- The H3/H4 zoning recommended by the TIG does not currently exist. It would need to be introducedas new legislation, undergo public hearings, and be formally adopted by the Council — a process thattakes time. EVEN IF THEY POSSIBLE GO TO THE EXPENSE AND TIME, IF THE COUNCIL EVENMIRACULOUSLY APPROVED
THE NEW ZONING MAYOR BISSEN COULD AND MOST LIKELY WOULD VETO IT WHICH THEN WOULD MAKE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF BEING VOTED BACK IN. THEY WOULD QUOTE “WE TRIED & IT GOT VETOED, WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS, IT’S MAYOR BISSEN’S FAULT”
- Until that new zoning is created, no properties can be rezoned into it, even if they are listed as part of Exhibit 2 in the recommendations.
Regarding Testimony:
We continue to encourage members to attend in person to show our engagement and presence. MANY WILL BE WEARING GREEN TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN FOR MAUI’S ECONOMY.
If you choose to testify, please consider the following:
- Keep it concise. Councilmembers are experiencing “testimony fatigue,” so shorter, focused remarks are most effective.
- If testifying on Bill 9, simply state your name, your opposition to the bill, and urge the Council to vote noon Bill 9. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS YOU CAN TESTIFY AS ANONYMOUS, SUGGEST AND STATE YOUR REASON, AND FOR EXAMPLE REGARDING BULLET POINT BELOW REGARDING YOUR ADDRESS YOU SHOULD JUST SAY MAUI PROPERTY OWNER AND I WILL VOTE. If testifying about the TIG findings, keep it brief and factual.
- Example: “My property, located in [Complex Name PERHAPS NEIGHBORHOOD OR CONDOCOMMUNITY IF YOU WISH TO BE ANONYMOUS], is within the Sea Level Rise Exposure Area but was not included on Exhibit 2. Will the Council reconsider these listings beforemaking amendments or changes?”
Additional Outreach: ***
If you reach out to Councilmembers directly, please keep your emails short and respectful. For longer or moredetailed statements, use the eComment section linked to the meeting agenda — this creates a public recordof opposition to Bill 9.
We understand that many of you have questions about the TIG report. This meeting will likely provide someanswers, but it’s important to remember that the TIG’s report represents recommendations, not final decisions.
At this stage, our focus remains clear: continue to oppose Bill 9. We need five council members to vote “NO” — and your engagement makes a difference.
Mahalo for continuing to show up, stay informed, and stand together.
| Bob Hansen PB R(B) | Clint Hansen BIC R(B) | Donna D. Hansen R(S) |
| 808-283-9456 | 808-280-2764 | 808-280-1650 |
| RB-17532 | RB-21616 | RS-49765 |
MAUI LUXURY REAL ESTATE LLC
The Hansen Ohana ~ Maui’s Real Estate Family for over 30 years
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