In Case You Missed It

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.

Staff at all four public schools in Lahaina will remain on paid administrative leave through Friday, Aug. 25 as clean up and safety assessments continue at Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High.

The objective of HHFDCʻs Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Program is: Connect those with available living arrangements with displaced residents. While it is hoped that property owners will charge minimal or no rent, it is up to the owners and residents to agree on rents and other terms as part of standard rental agreements.

View photo galleries of the presidential visit to Lahaina Maui. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Maui on Monday to assess the damage of the wildfire disaster area in Lahaina and meet with survivors and first responders who were impacted by the fires.

During a press conference Monday, Green said they would share when people could return to visit West Maui. As of right now, only returning residents and authorized emergency relief workers should come.

Update: The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reports a stolen loader was located and recovered in Waiehu on Tuesday morning, Aug. 22, 2023.

Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura shares details regarding wildfire response to the deadly fire in Lahaina that started on Aug. 8, 2023.

Nā ʻOhana o Lele, a coalition of community members in Lahaina, today called on Governor Josh Green to meet three demands for the recovery of the community.

Since the Lahaina fire destroyed much of the Maui town on Aug. 8, Kimberly Buen of California been trying to find her father Maurice Buen, who is among the hundreds of people still “unaccounted for.”

Maui musician Marty Dread’s search for a missing relative of his daughter has a happy ending. He survived, as well as his girlfriend and dog, but they lost everything.

“Going forward, and until further notice, there will be zero tolerance for anyone who trespasses, including residents of the affected area, the news media, and the general public, which could result in a citation or arrest,” police said in a news release. “The area is not safe, and it is disrespectful for anyone to wander around without authorization.”

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that nearly 1,000 federal responders are on the ground in Hawaiʻi to help the state recover from the devastating wildfires. In the days since President Biden declared a major disaster declaration for the state of Hawaiʻi, FEMA has approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households including more than $2.3 million in initial rental assistance.

Beginning Saturday, carriers from the Lahaina Main Post Office will resume mail delivery to addresses that are accessible and at which homes and mail receptacles are still standing.

When Lahainaluna High science teacher Jackie Ellis was fleeing deadly Lahaina wildfires last week, she never imagined a chance encounter at a stoplight would mean saving her former student’s life.

The Family Assistance Center is moving from its current location at the Kahului Community Center to the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom, located at 200 Nohea Kai Drive in Kāʻanapali, effective Friday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. FAC services at the Kahului Community Center will end as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17.

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.

An official statement was released this morning from Hale Mahaolu Eono regarding last Tuesdayʻs wildfire, a timeline of events, and actions taken during the incident.

FEMA recently launched a rumor control and frequently asked questions web page to keep survivors of the Hawaii wildfires aware of rumors and scams, and to help them better understand the federal disaster assistance programs and processes.

“This is an incredibly important tree,” said arborist Steve Nimz of the 150-year-old Lahaina banyan, “…but it’s a tree. We’ve got so many people who lost their lives, lost their families, lost their livelihoods… that’s where the focus should be…. There’s still life under every one of the roots… that’s where our hope is at, and the rest is up to the tree.”