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.

The law firm of Cades Schutte, its attorneys and staff have donated $36,630 to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the nonprofit Cades Foundation has approved $25,000 to the Maui Strong Fund and $10,000 to American Red Cross.

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.

Hawaiian Telcom continues to coordinate with county, state and federal officials to provide phone and community WiFi services to assist the community on Maui. Phone service is now available at the shelter at the War Memorial Gym and Hawaiian Telcom is working to install 1 gigabit speed fiber internet service via WiFi. Hawaiian Telcom technicians are also working to add phone and WiFi service at the shelter at the Kīhei Gym.

As fire containment efforts continue in Hawaiʻi, FEMA is working with its federal partners to provide immediate relief and lend support to the state-led and locally executed mission on the ground.

Carelon Behavioral Health, a partner with the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, is offering free counseling services to support anyone affected by the wildfires on Maui.

King’s Cathedral in Kahului has sheltered and provided basic needs for more than 700 people affected by Maui’s wildfires, and will continue to do so.

Maui Gold Pineapple has launched Pineapple Pledge, a relief initiative focused on safety, food and job preservation.

Starting Sunday, Aug. 13, Kaiser Permanente’s Mobile Health Vehicle will provide first aid at the Lahaina Gateway to members and non-members at no cost. The Mobile Health Vehicle will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., no appointment necessary. 

Wildfire response and recovery updates for Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 are posted here.

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.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority reports that vacation travel to West Maui is strongly discouraged for the near future. Visitors in West Maui have largely heeded the call to leave the island. About 46,000 people have flown out of Kahului Airport since Wednesday.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and other federal officials joined together on Maui to deliver a united briefing about the Maui wildfires’ impacts and round-the-clock efforts for Maui residents and visitors.

The on-demand shuttle will be available for same-day rides to most shopping destinations and medical facilities in Central Maui. The shuttle will be available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last pickup). Riders will be required to call Roberts Hawaii for reservations at 808-871-4838. Mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, can be accommodated. Luggage and bags will be limited to what can be carried.

Hawaiian Electric restored additional circuits today in West Maui, picking up customers along the Kā‘anapali Coast, including many of the hotels, resorts and condominiums that had been without electricity since Tuesday. Since Friday, service has been restored to about 5,500 customers in West Maui.

With the official death toll rising to 89, the Lahaina fire became the deadliest US fire in the past century. And, Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green said the number of dead “is going to rise.”

Today, the Maui-Lānaʻi Passenger Ferry, operated by Expeditions, resumed interisland service. 

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.”

The Hawaii Department of Transportation will be shutting down Kahului Airport Runway 523 to accommodate cargo operations, assisting in airlifting goods and necessities to Maui. 523 is a short runway that will not affect any commercial flights, but will have an impact on the general aviation community. HDOT will prioritize commercial flights.

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.