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The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it has awarded $2.2 million in grants to Hawaiʻi for a recycling project in Hilo and a study of waste management across several islands.

A total of 464 Lahaina properties have been cleared by EPA of household hazardous materials. Two business zones re-opened on Wednesday, Sept. 13: Lahaina Cannery parcel and a business area that some know as Lahaina Business Park.

Young Brothers has shipped much cargo for Maui fire relief efforts, including a mobile medial unit and communications trailer for Kaiser Permanente.

Properties with inactive service should NOT flush toilets, allow water down drains even if service appears operable. Although a toilet may appear to continue to flush and water may drain initially, if the service is not active, the property will risk eventual sewage backing up within the home or business.

Council member Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins announced today that the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet in the Council Chamber on Monday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. and on Sept. 27 at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali, to discuss a resolution to develop a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August wildfires.

Cook said the meeting is a collaboration with county departments and other agencies to provide South Maui residents with information regarding fire mitigation efforts, emergency management and impacts to the local economy.

FEMA is hiring on Maui. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking writers, liaisons, planners, historic preservation and geospatial information specialists, and digital communications specialists, to name a few. Four job fairs will be held Sept. 14-17 in Kahului, Lahaina and Wailuku.

As of 10 a.m. on Sept. 13, County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions have been lifted for Business Zones 5B and 5E, which includes the Lahaina Cannery Mall parcel and the business area of Kupuohi and Ulupono streets.

“Most of the 13 boats, as well as the pier they’re tied to, appear to be largely untouched by the flames of Aug. 8,” according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. “One boat, the Reel Luckey, the last name of its owners, is a metaphor for the line of white vessels, still afloat in stark contrast to the blackened landscape, buildings, and harbor structures.”

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned a panel of experts about how artificial intelligence (AI) has reportedly been used to spread disinformation and sow mistrust in the federal government during times of disaster, specifically in the wake of the Maui wildfires.

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined more than 70 of her colleagues in both chambers in sending a letter to President Biden, urging him to take further executive action to combat gun violence and limit the sale of assault weapons.

Free animated films featuring trolls and a singing crocodile provide family fun and are among the top 20 things to do this week on Maui. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

Effective Sept. 12, 2023, the Department of Water Supply announces that the Unsafe Water Advisory for Upper Kula has been amended to remove Zone 1 from the affected area. Water serving homes and buildings in Zone 1 has been determined to be safe for unrestricted use. To determine if your address is in a specific zone, please refer to the interactive map at the following link:  Zone Map

The Maui Invasive Species Committee hosts a teacher development workshop for K-12 teachers and environmental educators on Oct. 12 and 13 featuring the place-based Hōʻike o Haleakalā curriculum.

The Maui Police Department released the name of one more victim from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Buddy Carter, 85, of Lahaina.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center will present two solo exhibitions in Schaefer International Gallery that activate spatial potential through fiber, sculpture, and immersive installations. Chenta Laury: Adaptive Frameworks and Holly Wong: Mending Body / Mending Mind will run concurrently from Sept. 12 to Oct. 28, 2023. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will be offering a distance learning hub for K-8 Lahaina students starting Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at Citizen Church located at 4275 Hine Way in Lahaina. The learning hub will provide distance learning students with in-person opportunities for teacher support and peer socialization, as well as access to meals, recess, social-emotional learning and other resources.  Two additional learning hubs in the works for West Maui students

The Ludacris Foundation, the nonprofit organization founded by actor-rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges joins with the Tate Bros Foundation founded by his close friend and actor Larenz Tate, to extend their support to the Maui community following last month’s devastating wildfires. This week, they announced the launch of their “Maui County First Responders Feeding Program Fund.”

The Maui Family YMCA will host a special curated in-person casting event to meet American Idol producers and sing for the chance at a VIP virtual audition with an executive producer. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Maui Family YMCA located at 250 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului.

Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi hosts Maui Strong Support Groups Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku.