State provides assurances to wildfire survivors as NCS program is scheduled to end
Today is the scheduled end date for the Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) program for Maui wildfire survivors. State officials issued assurances saying all families in the NCS program who are actively participating in their recovery efforts will continue to receive support until their transition from sheltering to an interim housing solution.
Council votes to close Holomua Road amid fears of wildfire in Pāʻia
Maui County Council members set aside concerns about displacing two dozen homeless people from Holomua Road and the possibility of a legal challenge, and they decided Friday to restrict public access to a lower portion of the road and close its upper section.
New construction haul routes aim to reduce community impact during construction of Kilohana temporary housing
In response to community concerns regarding increased traffic, noise, safety hazards, and dust pollution, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Hawai‘i are implementing alternate construction routes for the temporary housing projects in Lahaina. These changes aim to mitigate the impact on local residents while ensuring the continued progress of these essential housing projects.
Maui wildfire Alternative Debris Removal Program standards approved; deadline to apply June 15
The standards for the County of Maui Alternative Debris Removal Program have been approved by the Maui County Council, and applications for the program are currently being accepted. The application deadline is June 15, 2024, to sign up for either the Alternative Debris Removal Program or to obtain an approved Right-of-Entry for the Government-Sponsored Consolidated Debris Removal, per adopted standards.
FEMA is hiring: Resume workshops continue on Maui
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will host a series of resume workshops in June, intended to hire residents for long-term positions with FEMA in Maui County.
MEO, Employers Option host Humanitarian Job Fair for Maui disaster relief
A Humanitarian Job Fair for Maui Disaster Relief, offered by Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) and Employers Options, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 13, at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.
Maui wildfires continue to impact economic recovery; sluggish economic growth in 2024 forecast
The Maui wildfires continue to have pronounced impacts on the economic indicators for all counties, but especially Maui County, according to new information compiled by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. The information was part of the department’s second quarter 2024 Statistical and Economic Report.
President Biden amends Hawaiʻi Disaster Declaration increasing federal cost share for Maui wildfire recovery
President Joe Biden announced that he has made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Hawai‘i following the Maui fires, increasing the federal cost share for federal assistance to 100% for an additional 90-day period.
Maui Humane Society pays tribute to Maui firefighters and rescuers in 2025 calendar
The Maui Humane Society’s 2025 calendar will pay tribute to the courageous Maui firefighters and rescuers who bravely faced the devastating Lahaina wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023.
Fire agencies say its time to launch Wildfire and Drought LOOKOUT! campaign
Representatives of fire-related entities from state, national and local levels gathered at Fire Station 14 in Wailea to launch the state’s 8th annual Wildfire and Drought LOOKOUT! campaign on Tuesday.
Temporary groundwater monitoring wells to be installed at Temporary Debris Storage site in Olowalu
Two temporary groundwater monitoring wells will be installed at the Temporary Debris Storage site (TDS) in Olowalu. County officials say the installation is part of its commitment along with the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect public health and the environment during the wildfire cleanup.
Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting to be held in Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium
Residents are invited to attend Mayor Richard Bissen’s Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, in the Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium.
Maui County launches online version of Lahaina Recovery Neighborhood Planning Workshops
The County of Maui Office of Recovery and Department of Planning today launched an online version of their Neighborhood Planning Workshops on the “Ola Lahaina” page of MauiRecovers.org. Through the month of June, residents may participate in the online workshop at their convenience from their laptop, tablet or phone. The online workshop is an opportunity for residents who were not able to attend past neighborhood workshops to share their thoughts, or for those who did attend to share more input.
AI-powered wildfire forecast system for Hawaiʻi is goal of UH researchers
In the wake of the deadly Maui wildfires, the University of Hawaiʻi is working to develop a new wildfire forecast system using artificial intelligence for the state of Hawaiʻi to enhance public safety, preparedness and risk mitigation.
FEMA hosts resume workshops in June on Maui
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will host a series of resume workshops in June, intended to hire residents for long-term positions with FEMA in Maui County.
Questions surface about costs of MPD’s proposed helicopter program
The Maui Police Department’s fledgling helicopter program experienced some turbulence this week during a Maui County Council committee meeting when questions surfaced about the proposed air unit’s projected costs.
Kibou for Maui Project supports Maui delegation to study recovery, rebuilding in Japan
The Kibou for Maui Project in Japan hosted a Maui leadership delegation from May 19 to 23, 2024, to facilitate an educational and strategic exchange between Maui recovery effort leaders and experts in Japan’s Tohoku region, which underwent significant rebuilding after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Water director: Maui County does not have water for Pulelehua housing development
Maui County does not have water available in West Maui for the Pulelehua project, a long planned development seen as a scarce opportunity to provide desperately needed housing for Lahaina residents displaced by the August wildfires.
Sacred Hearts School celebrates 2024 eighth grade graduation amid challenges and resilience
Sacred Hearts School held its 2024 eighth grade graduation on Wednesday, May 29 at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua, marking a significant milestone in a year defined by extraordinary challenges and remarkable resilience. The school, which was originally located in Lahaina, transitioned to Kapalua following the devastating fire on Aug. 8, 2023, that severely damaged half of their Lahaina campus.
Report: 30% of families experienced food insecurity in Hawaiʻi in 2023
For the first time since 2014, Hawaiʻi Foodbank has released a comprehensive report detailing the state of food insecurity across Hawaiʻi.