In Case You Missed It

Wiwoʻole in native Hawaiian means ‘fearless, brave, bold, and courageous.’ In this historic occurrence of unprecedented and catastrophic loss, the unifying and healing power of mele (music) has summoned Maui’s celebrated recording artists and hālau to gather for the Wiwoʻole Maui Benefit Concert (Livestream) on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 live-streamed from Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. 

“I’ve reached out to the Attorney General to explore options to do a moratorium on any sales of properties that have been damaged or destroyed,” said Governor Green. “Moreover, I would caution people that it’s going to be a very long time, before any growth, or housing can be built. And so, you would be pretty poorly informed if you try to steal land from our people and then build here.”

The devastating Lahaina wildfire consumed two homes at the Villages of Leialiʻi homestead, which consists of 104 residential lots.  They were among the 2,207 structures damaged or destroyed in the Lahaina wildfire.

A coordinated effort between the state and Maui organizations and nonprofits will begin collecting, storing and inventorying supplies donated to Maui County to support victims of the wildfires in Kula and Lahaina.

Due to the overwhelming demand from non-essential individuals and non-Maui residents who have flooded the distribution areas Maui police are suspending the placard program until further notice. They will continue with essential workers and West Maui residents as before.

“Words cannot describe our absolute heartfelt aloha for the donations that were made to our suffering community in their time of need. The efforts at the Capitol have resulted in thousands of boxes and bags that have been prepared and are either on the way or are ready to be delivered to Maui. Already, over 10,000 pounds of food and other high need items, including diapers and baby formula, have been sent to Maui.” – Hawaii Senate Delegation from Maui

Governor Josh Green, M.D., and the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation today announced the launch of the Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing program aimed at connecting Maui residents affected by the recent wildfires, with property owners who wish to provide them with rooms, dwelling units, houses and other accommodations immediately. A list of available properties should be online by Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. The program will remain active indefinitely.

Hawaiian Electric restoration crews have brought back online more than 60% of customers who have been without electricity since Tuesday. Crews are continuing work to restore approximately 5,000 customers in West Maui and Upcountry. The customer outage count has not been adjusted downward to account for structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

Volunteer organizers provide an update on volunteer distribution and supply centers. Residents of West Maui who need supplies are being directed to several different sites.

During a media viewing of the area on Saturday, with Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green and other officials, the sheer panic that West Maui residents and visitors experienced Tuesday trying to escape the blaze is evident.

The wildfire in West Maui likely started as a grass fire, according to FEMA administrators. Combined with 80 mph winds and a low-fuel, FEMA authorities say the fire was low to the ground, fast moving and outpaced firefighting efforts. This resulted in the loss of at least one fire fighting apparatus vehicle, and severe injuries to a firefighter who was attempting to flee.

Maui police say that in the wake of the wildfire disaster in Lahaina, the department “has been working tirelessly to coordinate a thorough and respectful body recovery operation within the affected area.”

Hawaiian Electric restoration efforts continue today with more than 300 Hawaiian Electric employees and contractors working to safely bring power back to communities in West Maui and Upcountry. Employees from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i are also providing additional response resources, including staffing, expertise, materials and equipment to expedite and respond to the restoration efforts on Maui.

Tanya Robertson and her husband went to check on her daughter, Christina Johnson, and two grandsons — ages 12 and 8 — as they knew a massive fire was burning not far from her home in Lāhainā.

Residents and visitors are finding safety at emergency shelters set up to help those seeking safety from a wildfire in Lāhainā that has left at least 80 people dead.

A tight knit group of friends pulled resources together to stand up a makeshift pit stop at the Lahaina Post Office, providing gas, ice and other necessities to residents in need. “Our kupuna can grieve for us right now, but for all the young people that can help, help,” said Kihei, a Lahaina resident who lost his home in the West Maui wildfire.

According to PDC, as of Aug. 11, 2023, damage assessments related to the Lahaina Fire resulted in an estimated total of 2,719 structures exposed; 2,207 structures damaged or destroyed; and 2,170 acres burned. 86% of buildings exposed to the fire were classified as residential. 

“We’re told we won’t be seeing power for about two months in Lahaina, and the system to be rebuilt is going to take years. Our whole town is completely gone. It’s hard to understand, but that’s the reality.” — Kaipo Kekona, West Maui

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is issuing an unsafe water alert for areas of Upper Kula and Lahaina affected by wildfires. As a precaution, customers in those areas are advised not to drink and not to boil their water. Instead of tap water, customers are advised to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice and preparing food.

Microsoft’s AI for Good Research Lab has collaborated with the American Red Cross and Planet to employ advanced AI solutions in assessing the damage caused by the Lahaina wildfire.