Catherine Cluett Pactol
Maui Nui ReporterCatherine Cluett Pactol is Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s Maui Nui reporter. She lives on Molokaʻi and is HPR’s first full-time employee based on a neighbor island. Having served as a contributing HPR reporter on and off since 2008, she officially joined the HPR newsroom in summer 2023.
Previously, she worked at The Molokai Dispatch, Molokaʻi’s only newspaper, for 15 years and served as its editor for more than a decade. During that time, she led the paper’s small team to win more than 30 Excellence in Journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaiʻi chapter, while also freelancing for magazines and publications across the state. She has a degree in creative writing from Bates College, and her work has been led by a passion for storytelling through community journalism.
Contact her at cpactol@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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A Maui decision over whether to phase out certain vacation rental units has drawn controversy and division within the community. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on a discussion over free speech that arose in a recent hearing. -
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen wants to increase the number of rental units available for locals. Opponents say that would hurt tourism and local jobs. -
FEMA is ending its in-person availability for fire survivors at Maui recovery centers. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports. -
Maui's The Spirit Horse Ranch started a therapy program after the pandemic. It also helped Maui fire survivors navigate shock and loss. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports the program has now expanded to Molokaʻi. -
Maui County's Committee on Housing and Land Use is in the midst of listening to nearly 200 testifiers signed up to voice their opinions on a proposal that would phase out about 7,000 transient vacation rentals. HPR's Catherine Cluett-Pactol has more. -
One of 25 shelters across the country, Maui Humane Society was chosen to pilot a project that helps reunite lost pets with their families. -
Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia have left on their voyage to circumnavigate the Pacific. But another traditional double-hulled canoe is making a month-long tour closer to home. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol has more on the journey of the Iosepa. -
After uncertainty regarding federal funding cuts, the Head Start program has received the federal funds needed to open this school year in nine locations across Maui County, operated by Maui Economic Opportunity. -
A 47-unit West Maui rental housing development for Lahaina educators is expected to be completed in December. -
Summer wildfires have hit the Upcountry Maui community of Kula the past two years. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on what residents are doing to get ready ahead of this year’s fire season.
