In Case You Missed It

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.”

To date, FEMA has provided more than $2.3 million in assistance to more than 1,330 households, including more than $800,000 in initial rental assistance, Hooks said. FEMA wants all survivors to register as soon as possible so that they receive the help they need.

Gov. Green extended an invitation to the President and First Lady after being advised that the search and recovery efforts will have reached a point that a visit can be done safely and in a way that will support the recovery efforts.

Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. has started a GoFundMe account and has raised more than $170,000 to support the slack key ohana and the Maui Food Bank.

In Maui, the Bidens will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery effort.

Wildfire updates for Monday Aug. 16 are posted: HERE.. Recovery efforts continue on Maui where wildfires decimated the Historic Lahaina Town in West Maui, leaving a path of destruction spanning nearly 3.5 square miles.

While all three campuses (Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary) sustained wind damage, the overall structure of campus buildings and classrooms are in good condition, according to department administrators.

The Lahaina wildfire, that decimated the old Hawaiian fishing village week ago, has reached a death toll of 106. As of this afternoon, 27-32% of the impacted area has been surveyed and completed, according to estimates from Governor Josh Green and Maui police.

Watch members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search and Rescue Task Force on the ground in Lāhainā.

The Maui organization is working quickly with its partners to assess the impacts of the wildfires and find solutions to prevent additional harm. While the situation remains dynamic, the council is moving forward on several fronts.

The bank is waiving ATM and safe deposit box fees, expediting debit card and checkbook replacement and has established a hotline for Maui customers.

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.