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Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (District 5, Wailuku, Kahului, Waiheʻe, Waikapū Mauka, and Waiehu) issued the following statement announcing his retirement from the Hawaiʻi State Senate, effective Oct. 31, 2023.

Congressional leaders are focusing on supplemental appropriations needed to help rebuild Lahaina Town, according to US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi) who is visiting Maui for assessments in the wake of the Aug. 8 wildfire disaster.

The state Department of Education has set a tentative goal of welcoming students back to the three West Maui campuses after fall break in mid-October.

The FBI is using specialized equipment to pick up any belongings or identifiable items to assist in the continuing effort to identify people who remain unaccounted for, from the Aug. 8 fire which leveled most of the town. 

“There will be no survivors that we will discover at this point,” said Gov. Green on Day 20 of recovery following the devastating wildfire in Lahaina. “The seven day mark was significant—that’s when the road opened. The 14 day mark was quite significant because that was the day that everyone got out of the [congregate] shelters. The 20 day mark is very significant, because as you’re hearing, essentially, the search and rescue, at least on land, is done.” Another milestone update is expected at the one month mark.

“We can rebuild, and we’re going to rebuild. We’re going to be back. But we cannot bring people back, and that’s the tough part… Trying to cope with that part of life now. This is the normal, and this is hard to get used to. We’re trying to as people, but we just need all the support we can get at this point,” said Lahaina resident, Connor Mowat.

While West Maui and fire-affected parts of Kula remain no place for visitors — with teams still searching for remains from the Lahaina fire and the recovery in the early stages — the rest of the island was unharmed by the fires but now is reeling from the abrupt loss of tourists that is causing people to lose their jobs and businesses to struggle.

Teenager Chanel Higa knows what it is like to lose everything, and be supported, so ever since she has been giving back and now has started “Give Aloha” for Maui fire survivors.

Almost every day, more names are released by the Maui Police Department of people who died in the fire — 40 so far. We honor their memory.

Various local volunteers help community in Lahaina after fire disaster.

“I’m 82, and ‘Why rebuild?’ It will probably take at least two years, but with FEMA, with SBA and the immediate family—the ʻohana—that’s why I’m going to rebuild,” he said.

Former Fire Chief and Civil Defense Director for Hawaiʻi County, Darryl Oliveira was named the interim Administrator at the Maui Emergency Management Agency during a press conference on Friday evening. He fills the spot left vacant by the resignation of Herman Andaya on Aug. 17, 2023, who cited health concerns as the reason for his departure. “We are honored to […]

The state Department of Transportation is installing nearly 30,000 linear feet of dust screen for the protection of highway users on Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) and the Lahaina Bypass (Route 3000).

Today, the County of Maui filed a lawsuit against Maui Electric Company, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company and Hawaiian Electric Industries for civil damages allegedly caused to the County’s public property and resources as a result of recent Maui fires, including fires in Lahaina and Kula.

Scores of artists rally to create three fundraising jazz, blues and Hawaiian concerts for Maui wildfire victims. Also this week on Maui, critically acclaimed guitarist-singer Makana performs a free concert, and David Grace Jr. sings his classic soul and country songs — one of them with more than 690,000 views. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The case involves a June ruling by 1st Circuit Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree to limit East Maui stream diversions to 31.5 million gallons per day from the previous 40.49 million gallons authorized by the Hawai’i Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Students already re-enrolled at other schools or in distance learning are unaffected. Family and community meeting scheduled for Aug. 30.

Underwater search efforts for human remains that began last Saturday, continued today in near-shore waters near the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor and along the Front Street breakwater. 

Maui police are now confirming a report of a Lahaina family who had located their son’s remains within their residence and brought him to a nearby police station.

Two weeks after the fast moving fire burned down much of Lahaina, the death toll is at 115; the remains that have been identified is at 43; and the number of “unaccounted for” is between 1,000 and 1,100, according to officials.