#state of Hawaii
West Maui resort’s emergency erosion measures, blocked beach access stir public pushback
The Hyatt Regency Maui says it needs to shore up the beach after last month’s Kona storm swept away much of the sand, but community members say it will lead to more beach loss.
FEMA housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors extended 18 days while yearlong extension under review
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended its temporary housing and financial assistance to Feb. 28 for the approximately 1,500 people still receiving it.
Cybersecurity Alert: Phishing threat masquerading as Hawaiʻi departments
Cybercriminals are creating deceptive web addresses to trick users into providing sensitive personal information or login credentials.
State-run Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing for Lahaina fire survivors is finished; 450 units soon-to-be full
Wednesday’s celebration announced that the 450-unit, $185 million West Maui complex is complete and ready to be filled to its capacity with about 1,500 people who were displaced by the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.
$800 million Maui wildfire settlement closes in on final approval at Legislature
House and Senate conference committees are recommending final passage of House Bill 1001, which provides more than $800 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for deposit into the Maui wildfires settlement fund for a “timely and compassionate resolution” for fire survivors. The bill commits the state to spending $400 million in fiscal 2026 and […]
Temporary tiny homes to replace tents at homeless shelter near Kahului Airport
The state says the homes will be converted into a kauhale — a community of tiny homes with shared amenities — though the location has yet to be determined.
Environmental assessments online for public review including Wākiu Master Plan in East Maui
Two final Maui environmental assessments and one draft are posted online in the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development’s Feb. 8 issue of The Environmental Notice.
Olowalu, Ukumehame brace for change with state’s plan to move coastal highway inland to combat sea level rise
The $160 million project is part of a yearslong effort to move Honoapi’ilani Highway away from the shoreline and improve access to and from West Maui.
After Lahaina fire ruled ‘accidental,’ survivors still want accountability, compensation
Some families are struggling to rebuild and plan for the future with the timing of the proposed $4 billion settlement for survivors up in the air.
With 257 acres of dry Mā‘alaea landscape under public control, fire prevention is a key focus
“It’s important because it is connected to a much larger set of lands that go all the way to the summit (of the West Maui Mountains),” said Scott Fretz, the Maui branch manager of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “Fires often start at those mauka lands and come down in the direction toward the highway. And often they start at the highway and go up this parcel into the mauka lands. So, that connectivity is important.”
Education loan repayment program for health professionals gains traction in Hawaiʻi
The application deadline is July 1 for a second round of healthcare professionals seeking help in a new Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program.
Temporary Housing Resource Fair for Lahaina wildfire survivors, March 2 at the Sheraton Maui
Local residents and organizations are invited to participate in an event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. This event aims to match individuals in need of temporary or permanent housing with state, federal and local organizations assisting individuals and families in need of housing support.
Tax credits available for earned income, childcare expenses, low-income renters and more
The Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation is encouraging Hawaiʻi’s families to include available tax credits when filing 2023 individual income taxes.
Kupu ‘Āina Corps seeks participants, host sites for wildfire recovery on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island
Kupu ‘Āina Corps, a program formed to restore lands and communities affected by the wildfires on Maui and Hawaii Island, is now accepting applications for participants and host sites. Participants may apply for paid, career-building experiences with additional benefits. Organizations engaged in wildfire recovery and resiliency efforts on Maui and Hawai’i Island may apply as host sites.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority heard this message at Maui public meeting: Prioritize locals over visitors
The draft plan called “Tourism Support for Maui’s Recovery” was developed for the purpose of how best to respond to the Tourism Emergency Declaration issued on Aug. 19 by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green due to the Aug. 8 fires.
Maui’s unemployment drops to 7.4% for October 2023, but up from 3.7% a year ago
Maui still has not totally bounced back from the job losses due to the August fires. A year ago in October, Mauiʻs unemployment was only 3.7%.
Hawaiʻi nominees to US District Court considered at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
Micah Smith, an assistant U.S. attorney, and Judge Shanlyn Park, State of Hawaiʻi court judge, were introduced on Thursday to the US Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing to consider their nominations to the US District Court for the District of Hawai‘i.
Work underway to move those impacted by Maui wildfires from emergency shelters to hotel rooms
The hotel housing is being provided through a FEMA program, which the Red Cross is administering under a contract with the state of Hawai‘i, and those impacted by the deadly wildfires will be able to stay in hotels as long as it takes to find long-term housing solutions.
Officers named for state’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board for FY 2022/23
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s has announced the officers for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board for Fiscal Year 2022/23.
Is Hawaiʻi ready for a Category 4 hurricane? State conducting readiness exercises
The State of Hawaiʻi will conduct the annual 2022 Makani Pahili series of exercises to test statewide hurricane preparedness and response capabilities May 9 to 16.
