Hawai‘i US Sen. Brian Schatz says Hawai‘i will receive nearly $9.8 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help rebuild wildfire-ravaged historic Lahaina landmarks, like the Old Lahaina Courthouse, Waiola Church, Hale Aloha Museum and the Master’s Reading Room. 

Companion House and Senate bills have been introduced to carry out in state laws wildfire prevention recommendations called for in the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General’s “final and forward-looking report” on the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that killed at least 102 and destroyed more than 2,000 structures.

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett has released the agency’s After-Action Report on the 2023 Maui wildfires.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Wastewater Reclamation Division announced that it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active, for 32 properties in the following areas: Sewer service was active for the […]

Companion bills in the state House and Senate have been submitted to establish the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to pay claims from about 2,200 plaintiffs who’ve filed claims from injuries suffered in the August 2023 disaster.

The West Maui Temporary Debris Storage site environmental monitoring quarterly report for the fourth 90-day operational period shows the findings from sampling and monitoring comply with county, state and federal environmental regulations.

Hale Mahaolu, a nonprofit affordable housing provider, has announced plans to redevelop its Lahaina Surf property, and the Front Street Apartments, which is owned by the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The redevelopment projects are expected to provide 304 units of family housing for Maui residents.

Gov. Josh Green’s eviction moratorium for Maui will expire on Feb. 4, 2025. To provide information and answer questions about what this means for renters and landlords, the State and Maui Mediation Services will hold an event this Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cameron Center in Wailuku.

The Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group and All Hands And Hearts are calling on the community to join the upcoming “Lahaina Clean-Up Kōkua” events to support residents impacted by the August 2023 wildfire. Volunteers will help clear fire-damaged properties and prepare them for rebuilding.

This second session is about taking those initial ideas and turning them into actionable pathways for a resilient energy future that honors Lahaina’s heritage.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Rotary District 5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief program distributed $60,000 in Foodland and Walmart gift cards to Maui fire survivors.

In his third State of the State address, Gov. Josh Green took aim this morning at Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living, affordable housing, accessible health care and Maui’s ongoing recovery from the August 2023 wildfires.

In a continued effort to support the community after the Maui wildfires of 2023, the Rotary D5000 Fire Relief Fund has donated $48,160 to the Maui Preparatory Academy school lunch program for the fire-affected students and faculty. 

“Lahaina Ondo EP” honoring the Lahaina community has been released on CD and digitally. The title track, “Lahaina Ondo,” is a new bon dance song that honors the Lahaina community by recalling fond summertime memories of everyday life in Lahaina.

A sewer line being built for the Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site on Maui will have long-term benefits for Lahaina.

Hawai’i Community Foundation awarded Kaibigan ng Lahaina with a $1.6 million grant from the Maui Strong Fund, according to organization board president, Nestor Ugale.

Lele Aloha announced the launch of the Hauola Awards, a grant program aimed at supporting the rebuilding, re-establishing, and reinvigorating of communities affected by the 2023 Maui fires. In response to the unprecedented destruction, Lele Aloha stands committed to providing immediate relief and aiding long-term recovery efforts.

The Maui Food Bank, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Nutrition Center, offers healthy food demonstrations at Da Market in Lahaina by incorporating products that neighbors in the program can access at Da Market.

Standing on ʻāina that will forever be protected for Lahaina’s kamaʻāina families, the Lahaina Community Land Trust gathered Monday with community leaders, friends and ‘ohana to celebrate and bless the first property secured into community ownership.

At the request of the Maui County Council, Senate President Ronald Kouchi (Kaua’i, Ni’ihau) has introduced a bill to make changes to operations of the state Commission on Water Resource Management.