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Daily Smile

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Smile 26 10 21

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026</title>

The best doggo duo...

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

WEB square crop Hayley Lehman Headshot RGZ1636

Haley Lehman

Government & Politics

Have you wanted to represent your community and share your voice on a county board or commission? If you're a resident of Maui, Lānaʻi or Molokai, now might be your chance.

The County of Maui is looking to fill 77 seats on more than 30 boards and commissions. Board members and commissioners are selected by the Independent Nomination Board, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the county council to 

 listening to public testimony, reviewing policies and standards, and making recommendations to the mayor and county council.

Mayor Richard Bissen stated in a news release that Maui County residents shape the community’s future.

“Our volunteer boards and commissions members help guide the decisions that affect lives, strengthen government, and support vital County services,” Bissen said. “As a member, your voice matters — your experience matters. We have a critical need for boards and commissions volunteers whose insights and experiences will shape the County of Maui for generations to come.”

 on the Affirmative Action Advisory Council, Board of Variances and Appeals, Board of Water Supply, Conservation Planning Committee, Dangerous Dog Adjudication and Appeals Board, Fire and Public Safety Commission, Hāna Advisory Committee, Housing Advisory Board, Independent Nomination Board, Kula Ag Park Committee, Liquor Control Adjudication Board, Liquor Control Commission, Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Maui County Cultural Resources Commission, Molokai Planning Commission, Public Works Commission, Urban Design Review Board and Commission on Healing Solutions for Homelessness.

Applications for boards and commissions are due Nov. 11. Interested applicants can fill out the application 

, submit an application by mail or pick up a paper copy from the Maui County Business Resource Center in Kahului and the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku. Applicants are required to fill out their contact information and length of residence in Maui County, and can share their education and employment record, interest in serving, previous service on boards, commission or committees and qualifications.

Not living in Maui County but still interested in serving on a board or commission? Seats are also available at The 

, which has three vacancies on boards and commissions; 

Maui County

<title>Maui County seeks volunteers for boards and commissions</title>

The County of Maui is looking for applicants to fill vacancies on 30 boards and commissions.

Maui County seeks volunteers for boards and commissions

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

Ward Village — Howard Hughes' 60-acre master-planned community located between Downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī —

 broke ground Wednesday on its 11th residential tower, The Launiu Ward Village.

You’ll find The Launiu on the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue, marking the makai entry into the neighborhood. In an announcement Wednesday, the developer said the project will add to the community another 486 one-, two- and three-bedroom homes; more ground-floor retail and restaurant spots; and 21,000 square feet of public open space.

To commemorate Wednesday’s groundbreaking, Ward Village and its construction partner, Swinerton, donated a combined $40,000 to two local nonprofits: Laukahi Network and Downtown Arts Center

“The Launiu at Ward Village marks a significant milestone in the continued evolution of our master-planned community,” Doug Johnstone, president of the Hawai‘i Region and National Condominium Development for Howard Hughes Communities, said in the announcement. “This groundbreaking reflects the momentum of our vision and our commitment to delivering design-forward, quality homes that integrate the character and lifestyle of Hawai‘i.”

The Launiu was designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, with interiors by San Francisco-based ODADA and landscaping by San Rafael, California-based VITA, Inc. It was inspired by “the historic coconut groves of the Ward family estate,” the announcement reads. “Its slender, mid-century coastal profile is oriented toward Diamond Head and Honolulu’s coastline, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliet balconies and open layouts that capture expansive views and abundant natural light.

In addition to retail and dining, the street level also will have landscaped sidewalks, pedestrian and bike paths that connect to 

, which opened in September, and the adjacent Ulana Ward Village, the announcement notes.

A Ward Village spokesperson told Aloha State Daily via email that construction on The Launiu is expected be finished in 2028.

According to the developer, 324 units, or about 67% of the residences, were under contract as of June 30.

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Ward Village has sold out its first seven mixed-use residential towers: Waiea, Anaha, Ae‘o, Ke Kilohana, ‘A‘ali‘i, Kō‘ula and Victoria Place.

In addition to The Launiu, new residential buildings under construction or in development at Ward Village include Ulana Ward Village, The Park Ward Village, Kalae, Melia Ward Village, and ‘Ilima Ward Village, which is being developed in partnership with Discovery Land Co.

The Ward Village spokesperson told ASD that residents are set to move into Ulana Ward Village, which will have 697 workforce units, in November. Construction began in 

According to the spokesperson, The Park Ward Village is scheduled to be finished next year. This development is located adjacent to Victoria Ward Park and will add another 546 new homes to the neighborhood.

, located between residential towers Victoria Place, which 

, and is bordered by Auahi Street on one side and Ala Moana Boulevard on the other.

Kalae is expected to welcome residents in 2028, adding another 330 new homes, creating more green space along Ala Moana Boulevard and bringing new ground-floor retail spaces and public art to the neighborhood, the spokesperson noted.

Meanwhile, a construction timeline for Melia Ward Village, and ‘Ilima Ward Village — which are planned for the block where Ward Centre is currently located — has not been finalized, the spokesperson says.

The 33-story ‘Ilima Ward Village will have 148 homes while Melia Ward Village, its 35-story companion, will offer 221 residences

“The two buildings will be connected by a native botanical garden pathway linking the restored IBM Building to Ka Lei Park, a 1-acre public space with walkways and native planting

A $17.8 million elevated walkway connecting Victoria Ward Park Makai to Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin 

01 The Launiu Groundbreaking courtesy of Ward Village

<title>Ward Village breaks ground on 11th residential tower</title>

Located at the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue, The Launiu Ward Village will provide 486 homes, more retail and 21,000 square feet of public open space.

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

ASD Staff

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