Maui’s Non-Congregate Sheltering program for wildfire survivors concludes at hotels

The state of Hawaiʻi announced the successful conclusion of its Non-Congregate Sheltering program, which provided critical shelter and assistance to 7,796 individuals and 3,071 households displaced by the Lahaina wildfires. This program was managed by the state and the American Red Cross (ARC) and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Officials offer Haleakalā Crater Road fire updates, mental health resources for residents

“On the brink of our one-year anniversary of our island’s wildfires, I realize as a community we are experiencing many different emotions, and any fire can be a very concerning and distressing situation for many of us,” Mayor Bissen said. “I want to assure you that the County and the State are collectively working together to maximize resources and most importantly, keep our community safe. The safety of our community is of the utmost importance, and I encourage everyone to remain calm and continue to monitor the situation.”

‘It’s triggering’: Kula residents keep a wary eye on Crater Road fire amid memories of last year’s blaze

“It’s distressing to all of us, even if it’s not coming right in our nearest vicinity, it’s still triggering, as it would be for anybody, either in Lahaina or Kula, that went through what we went through last year,” said Melissa James of The Ohana Animal Inn in Kula.

Nearly one-year after Lahaina wildfires: debris clearance at 88%, more than two dozen permits issued to rebuild

Gov. Josh Green provided an update on the ongoing Maui wildfire recovery as the one year mark nears on Aug. 8, 2023. As of July 5, 2024, the state had cleared all individuals from the non-congregate sheltering (NCS) program at hotels; however, there were still 62 families that were finalizing their arrangements with the federal government to transition into longer-term housing. That’s down from the 3,071 families that were being accommodated in hotels in the aftermath of the wildfires.

Maui Fire Department, ATF officials clarify timeline and process for Lahaina wildfire cause and origin report

Officials with the Maui Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded today to media inquiries about the timeline and process for releasing information on the cause and origin of the Aug. 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

FEMA seeks vendors for temporary housing maintenance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking vendors for group site maintenance and maintenance/repairs on FEMA-owned modular housing units being used as temporary housing for individuals and families displaced by the Maui wildfires.

Gov. Green signs budget; identifies healing and resilience for Maui among top priorities

“This budget makes historical investments in affordable housing, health care, climate and education – all of our big priority areas as a state. It will provide over $200 million for Maui’s recovery efforts through the Major Disaster Fund. In addition to what is funded in the budget, we passed historical tax reform this session which will put more money into the pockets of local families to combat inflation,” said Green.

Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting to be held in Lahaina Civic Center gym

Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in the Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium.

Gov. Green finalizes veto decisions and signs 10 bills into law

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., issued his final veto decisions today after additional analysis and input from stakeholders. Of the 17 bills on his original Intent to Veto List, Green issued seven vetoes. He signed four bills after issuing line-item reductions, and six bills were signed into law.

Rotary D5000 Foundation, Maui Fires Relief Fund offers laundry service at Puʻuhonua o Nēnē shelter

The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset successfully secured a $7,200 grant from the Rotary D5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund to provide six months of laundry service for the Puʻuhonua o Nēnē shelter in Central Maui.

Nonprofits, state partner to help Lahaina homeowners fight foreclosure

Maui nonprofits, Hawaiʻi Community Lending and Lahaina Community Land Trust, joined with the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Division Financial Institutions to announce a partnership to help Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners prevent foreclosure and support rebuilding efforts.

Last week of hiring spree: Kupu’s EŌ Maui Workforce

Kupu, Hawaiʻi’s largest youth-focused conservation and sustainability nonprofit, today announced its Maui relief efforts, EŌ Maui (Emergency Outreach), has nearly 40 paid opportunities available through partnerships with Maui-based organizations. The priority deadline is: July 12, 2024.

HECO retiring 35% of firm generators on Maui by 2028, replacing with renewable energy

Hawaiian Electric is gearing up for a transformative decade on Maui, as the utility company plans to retire 88 megawatts (MW) of its fossil fuel firm generators, or roughly 35% of the firm generator capacity on Maui. This major overhaul is driven by state environmental regulations and difficulties in sourcing parts for aging generators, many of which have become obsolete.

Rep. Tokuda tours fire-ravaged Lahaina as process begins for National Heritage Area designation

US Rep. Jill Tokuda journeyed into Lahaina’s rich historic and cultural past with an eye on its future Wednesday.

Maui to mark one year after the wildfires with community-driven events including paddle out, stage production, Obon festival and more

A number of special events marking one year after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires will pay tribute to the 102 victims and the two that remain missing. The events are designed to honor the resiliency of a community that has faced crisis and heartbreaking tragedy, and offer residents opportunities to gather in healing and shared support.

New County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Maui opens in Lahaina Gateway

The new County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Maui officially opened Friday with a normal operating schedule of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Lahaina Gateway Unit 102-B, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina, near Ace Hardware. The center will serve as a centralized hub for essential departments and agencies related to recovery.

State Fire Marshal bill signed into law; Other measures seek to improve fire safety, emergency management in Hawaiʻi

SB 2085 creates the Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enhance fire safety and prevention across Hawaiʻi. The state fire marshal, appointed for a five-year term, will coordinate statewide fire protection efforts, propose fire code amendments and oversee fire safety training and certification.

Only five households remain sheltered at two hotel sites as one-year mark since Maui wildfires nears

Just five households remain sheltered at two hotel sites on Maui as the one-year mark since the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires is just over a month away. The emergency hotel sheltering program managed by the state ended on June 30. 

Habitat for Humanity Maui announces Disaster Recovery Fundraiser at Old Lahaina Lūʻau to rebuild Lahaina post-wildfires

Habitat for Humanity Maui announced a special Disaster Recovery Fundraiser to be held at the historic Old Lahaina Lūʻau on Aug. 17, 2024. This event aims to raise essential funds to support the rebuilding of Lahaina, which was devastated by the catastrophic wildfires of 2023. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly towards recovery and reconstruction efforts. 

Moratorium on disconnections of electric service for non-payment for Maui customers extended through Aug. 31

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least Aug. 31, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about potential disconnection of their electric service, according to a company announcement.
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