Featured
President Joseph Biden approves Hawaiʻi Disaster Declaration
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaiʻi and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on Aug. 8, 2023, and continuing. The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Maui County.
Maui wildfire updates for Aug. 10: Death toll rises to 55; fires still active; FEMA assistance available
As firefighting efforts continue, two additional fatalities have been confirmed this evening amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 55 people. FEMA assistance is available: If you are impacted by the fires in Hawaiʻi, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or download the FEMA App for more information on available resources.
Top 20 things to do on Maui Aug. 10-16: John Cruz’s Island Style music, Don Barnhart’s Hypnomania Comedy and Grammy winner George Kahumoku performs in Napili
Legendary Mick Fleetwood and his House of Rumours band highlight a week of fabulous concerts and Hawaiian festivals on Maui. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.
Lahaina Front Street photo journey: West Maui wildfire aftermath
A devastating wildfire sparked by gusty winds from a passing hurricane, left Maui’s Lahaina Town in an unrecognizable state. The popular tourist destination in the historic district of West Maui was described in media reports as being “flattened by fire” with businesses gutted and cars abandoned, leaving charred trees along a now shadeless and shambled path. Remaining is an ashy imprint of a moment in time, captured in these photos of what is now a present day reality.
Maui government leaders issue statement on wildfire emergency
“Today, we offer our condolences and aloha to the ʻohana of those who have lost their lives, and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods to the wildfires on Maui. We share our aloha with our neighbors on Maui as we face devastation in Lahaina and around the island…”
Update: Checkpoint still enforced on Honoapi‘ilani Highway
Many residents and visitors spent hours and even overnight in their cars waiting for Honoapi’ilani Highway to reopen for non-emergency responders.
Kīhei fire photos: fire suppression efforts continue
Firefighting efforts continue at the in Lahaina, Pūlehu/Kīhei and Upcountry areas. The photos above are from the Pūlehu/Kīhei fire and were taken from the corner of Olukai and Hoalike Street in Kīhei on Wednesday afternoon.
Coast Guard, partners continue mass rescue operations from Maui wildfires
Tuesday evening, the 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew arrived on scene and rescued 14 survivors from the Lahaina Harbor Breakwall with all survivors reported to be in stable condition.
Hawaiian Airlines is extending its operations with additional late night flights
Hawaiian Airlines is extending its operations today with three additional late-night flights to Honolulu from Kahului to help evacuate travelers affected by brush fires on Maui. The new flights were timed to meet travelers expected to arrive at Kahului via Maui County buses. Flights are scheduled to depart Kahului starting at 11:10 p.m. today through 2 a.m. tomorrow. Hawaiian earlier today added six extra flights between Honolulu and Kahului to accommodate departures out of Maui, as well as support emergency response efforts. Currently, four extra Kahului-Honolulu flights have been added for tomorrow, Aug. 10.
West Maui visitors advised to leave Lahaina and Maui; airlines reporting open flights
A mass bus evacuation for visitors will be staged at Sheraton Maui Resort in Kāʻanapali this afternoon and take visitors directly to Kahului Airport. Five County of Maui buses, each with a capacity of 49 people, and five Polynesian Adventure Tours buses, each with a capacity of 50, will provide the transportation, with the first wave of buses scheduled for around 4 p.m.
Na ‘Aikane o Maui Cultural Center destroyed in Lahaina fire
The losses from the Lahaina fire include Front Street’s iconic banyan tree, a fishpond and the Na ‘Aikane o Maui Cultural Center.
In-Person or Online: How You Can Support Maui Wildfire Relief
As the Maui wildfires continue to impact the community, there are several ways you can contribute to the relief efforts. Here’s how you can make a difference.
Maui hospital treats burn and smoke inhalation patients during Maui wildfires
Maui Memorial Medical Center has been treating burn, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related injuries as a result of the Maui fires since last night. As of Wednesday afternoon, all patients have been cared for; five have been admitted, including two for critical injuries. Additionally, since last night, seven patients have been transferred to Oʻahu for specialty services, including some fire-related injuries. All other patients have been treated and released.
Hawaiian Telcom customers on Maui affected by intermittent service outages
Due to the fires, some Hawaiian Telcom customers on Maui are experiencing intermittent phone and internet service outages. Affected areas include Lahaina, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, Kula, and Makawao.
Kahului Airport busy with tourists leaving; one said Lahaina was like ‘War of the Worlds’
Tourist Sarah Adams said she could not “morally or ethically” stay on Maui any longer knowing that she would be using resources that were needed by residents.
Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers evacuates Lahaina Shelter during massive West Maui wildfire
More than 140 people were evacuated on Tuesday from the Westside Center shelter operated by Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers. Of those evacuated, over 25 were taken by KHAKO staff to the Wailuku shelter for emergency housing.
List: closed, cancelled or postponed due to Maui wildfires
The wildfires on Maui have resulted in various business and facility closures, as well as event cancellations. Find our comprehensive list HERE, which is updated regularly.
Olinda water work, Aug. 9
The Department of Water Supply reports that customers along Olinda Road and Piʻiholo Road may experience low/no water pressure on Aug. 9, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while work is conducted to replace a meter.
Emergency proclamation issued due to wildfires sparked by high winds from passing Hurricane Dora
Acting Governor Sylvia Luke, acting on behalf of Governor Josh Green, M.D., issued an emergency proclamation relating to wildfires in Maui and Hawaiʻi Counties that are being fueled by Hurricane Dora, churning far south of the islands.
Maui road closures due to severe weather, fires
Update: 5:33 p.m., Aug. 9, 2023. Honoapiʻilani Highway is open for South Bound Traffic ONLY exiting Lahaina. Honoapiʻilani Highways is open from Kāʻanapali Parkway, up Keawe and onto the Lahaina bypass exiting Lahaina.
