Hirono, colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to promote wildfire mitigation through grazing

The Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act, aims to promote research on using grazing as a strategy to mitigate wildfires, reduce fuel loads and support post-fire recovery efforts.

County bill advances to allow nonconforming structures in Lahaina to be rebuilt as they were before the wildfires

Planning officials say some residents are waiting for the bill to pass in order to rebuild their properties.

Direct Housing Program members required to pay rent starting March 1, 2025

Survivors of the Maui wildfires currently enrolled in FEMA’s Direct Housing Program will be required to begin paying rent starting March 1, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.

Proposals sought for mental health support for children impacted by the Maui wildfires

Maui United Way announced the release of a Request for Proposals for the second year of its Sentry Mālama Nā Keiki Initiative. This program focuses on providing critical mental health support for children and adolescents affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires.

Open house on Lahaina ash and fire debris transfer to Central Maui

The public is invited to learn more about the transfer of Lahaina’s ash and fire debris from the temporary storage site in Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site in Central Maui during an open house Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the County of Maui’s Lahaina Resource Center.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court issues speedy opinion on Maui Wildfires Case questions

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court issued a speedy opinion in the Maui Wildfires Case, allowing the settlement to continue its course. Insurance companies had sought to intervene in an attempt to recoup payouts made in the wake of the 2023 Maui wildfires.

Maui County Council approves lease for rental housing in Nā Hale Kūpuna Project

Maui County Council members adopted a resolution Friday that authorizes the lease of a County-owned, one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment on Lower Main Street in Wailuku to an elder displaced by the August 2023 wildfires.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court hears arguments in historic $4.037B Maui Wildfire Settlement

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court convened to determine whether or not insurers can interfere with the historic $4.037 billion global settlement for plaintiffs in the Maui Wildfires Cases.

County announces amended sewer service status for 61 West Maui lots

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division announced today it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property that does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active, for 61 properties in the Kelawea Mauka area.

Information for landlords, renters on lifting of eviction moratorium available at Feb. 15 event

An eviction moratorium put in place by Gov. Josh Green following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires expired Tuesday, Feb. 4, and an event Saturday, Feb. 15, will offer “what now?” information, assistance to renters and landlords and details of new procedures to handle evictions and disputes.

Traffic advisory: Honoapiʻilani and Kapunakea due to sewer line installation, Feb. 10-14

Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays due to lane closures at the intersection of Honoapiʻilani Highway and Kapunakea Street in Lahaina for sewer line installation and paving work for the Kaiāulu o Kūkuʻia Affordable Housing project.

More modular homes to be delivered to Lahaina for wildfire survivors

Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are transported from Kahului to the state’s Ka Laʻi Ola housing site in Lahaina. Hauling will take place nightly on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8, along with Feb. 12 through 14, all beginning at 9:30 p.m.

SMA permits suspended for wildfire-impacted Lahaina properties mauka of Front Street

A waiver of special management area rules for Lahaina wildfire survivors is expected to reduce rebuilding permit processing by about a year, speeding reconstruction and economic recovery for the West Maui community impacted by the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

Rental requirement begins March 1 for FEMA direct housing participants

Wildfire survivors currently in FEMA’s Direct Housing Program will be required to begin paying rent on March 1, 2025. The rental requirement will be in effect for the remainder of FEMA’s housing assistance program, which has been extended through Feb. 10, 2026.  

Lahaina Community Meeting offers updates on SMA, debris clearing, wastewater, permits

Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 tonight (Feb. 5, 2025), at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.

Wildfire protection bill advances in Senate; House defers decision-making until Wednesday

The Senate Committees on Labor & Technology and Public Safety & Military Affairs unanimously passed Senate Bill 1383 on Monday at the State Capitol. The bill would prevent wildfires by adopting an extensive revamping of Hawaiʻi’s fire prevention laws, as proposed by Gov. Josh Green’s administration.

Senate bill passes to waive SMA permits for rebuilding in historic Lahaina town

A bill to help with rebuilding historic Lahaina town advanced Monday afternoon out of the Senate Water and Land Committee, chaired by Sen. Lorraine Inouye of Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island.

FEMA finishes installing 167 temporary homes at Kilohana

FEMA’s 167-unit Kiohana temporary home site for wildfire survivors was completed this week in Lahaina, Maui. 

Lahaina housing: Former tenants eager to return, daunted by four-year wait

Former residents of the Lahaina Surf and Front Street Apartments — destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires — cheered when they were reassured that both affordable housing complexes would be rebuilt and that they, as residents at the time of the fires, would be given priority to return to redeveloped homes.

Gov. Green releases $6.3M for tourism recovery campaign

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has announced the release of $6.3 million restricted funds from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism budget for a marketing effort to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.
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