Paul Kasprzycki, an artist, craftsman and woodcarver credited with creating the welcome to Lahaina signs, was positively identified publicly Tuesday as the 101st fatality of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.

The County of Maui reminds residents that the last day to respond to its survey on a permanent disposal site for wildfire debris from Lahaina is this Thursday, Feb. 15.  

The song, “Yonder Lahaina Mountains,” was released on Dec. 31 and features the voices of musical artists Kaleo Phillips, Marvin Tevaga and Kapena DeLima, along with the Kamehameha Schools Maui Ensemble choir and hula dancers. Affectionately known as “The Boarder’s Song,” it was originally composed by Alice K. K. Banham. Phillips, who was among those who lost his home in the August wildfires, said the inspiration for recording the song with KS Maui came to him in a dream.

Present on the field Sunday were Lahainaluna head football coach Dean Rickard, offensive coach Garrett Tihada, former coach Bobby Watson and athletic director John Conrad. Team captains joined their coaches on the field: Kaulana Tihada, Morgan “Bula” Montgomery, Teva Loft and Kuola Watson.

Six months after the devastating Maui wildfires, US Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) released a comprehensive guide to federal resources to assist Hawai‘i in preventing, mitigating and responding to continuing wildfire risks across the state.

This additional funding is a second allocation awarded to help communities in Maui recover in the wake of the devastating wildfires. HUD provided $1.3 million in RUSH funding in August 2023.

As part of its 12th annual Share the Love Event, Subaru Hawaiʻi has donated a combined $45,000 to Maui Food Bank, Maui Humane Society and Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi.

Gary Grube, founder and President of the Hua Momona Foundation said food insecurity isn’t the only issue families face. “Ongoing instability of income, healthcare, and housing is also weighing on westside families,” he said.

Kupu ‘Āina Corps, a program formed to restore lands and communities affected by the wildfires on Maui and Hawaii Island, is now accepting applications for participants and host sites. Participants may apply for paid, career-building experiences with additional benefits. Organizations engaged in wildfire recovery and resiliency efforts on Maui and Hawai’i Island may apply as host sites.

More than 200 community members joined with faith leaders from 13 Lahaina churches to offer prayers during a gathering Thursday in observance of the six-month mark after the Lahaina fire.

Hawaiʻi 3R’s is accepting playground equipment from the Berliner Play Equipment Corporation to be installed at the temporary Lahaina school campus in West Maui. The Germany-based company is donating the equipment to support students as they make a new start at the temporary site in upcoming weeks. 

Six months after the Aug. 8 Maui wildfire disaster, the Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee recommended passage of a bill to lower permitting hurdles and allow fire survivors to rebuild sooner rather than later.

CocoNene celebrated the grand opening Monday of its new store at the Kīhei Kalama Village. The store known for its made-in-Hawaiʻi products lost its flagship location on Front Street during the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.

Today, Gov. Josh Green, M.D. expressed confidence that positive progress is being made in the transition of wildfire survivors from hotels to long-term housing, making a moratorium on short-term rentals “not likely.”

Starting Monday, Feb. 12, a new system will take effect to allow private property contractors to access the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster zone for rebuilding, while keeping the area safe during debris removal, officials announced.

About half of Maui residents impacted by the August wildfires say their health is worse now compared to a year ago and more than half say they lost their jobs because of the fires, according to a new report issued by the University of Hawaiʻi. Over at least the next 10 years, the study aims to document the acute and chronic health impacts and social conditions caused by one of the most deadly and destructive natural disasters in Hawaiʻi history.

Six months after the August’s wildfires on Maui, the American Red Cross continues to care for nearly 5,000 affected residents in the temporary emergency non-congregate sheltering program.

The 212-unit, low-income Aikanaha rental housing project underwent review Wednesday morning by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. The project could be the first buildout in the Waikapū Country Town development.

The severe-weather hardening of island power grids will cost approximately $190 million, with half paid by the federal government and half coming from Hawaiʻi power consumers, according to an announcement from Hawaiian Electric Co.

Maui Humane Society will open its new Lahaina Pet Resource Center on Feb. 7, 2024, following a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony at 11 a.m. A mobile veterinary clinic event will be held following the ceremony, offering free wellness services to pets affected by the fire.