In the spirit of hope and community resilience, The Salvation Army’s “Magical Maui Christmas” event brought warmth and love to over 2,000 Maui wildfire survivors. The event took place at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center on Dec. 9, 2023, with the goal of creating a memorable Christmas experience for survivor families to uplift their spirits and bring some much-needed holiday joy. 

The winning apps developed by high school students addressed women’s safety, focused on Maui fire recovery, and a developed encryption software.

In the spirit of bringing some Christmas joy to students affected by the wildfires in Lahaina, retired nurse Linda Higgins of Los Gatos, Calif., led a project to deliver hundreds of handmade Christmas stockings, stuffed with candy and small presents.

Goodwill Hawaiʻi was recently awarded a new one-year contract by the State of Hawaiʻi DLIR Office of Community Services to provide Employment Core Services to Lahaina’s immigrant population or any other Maui resident who was displaced from work as a direct or indirect result of the Maui fires in August.

Mayor Richard Bissen will host a series of talk story sessions for residents of Kula and Lahaina who have been impacted by the Aug. 8 fires. Sessions will be held for small groups to offer time for participants to share mana’o and ask questions.

The draft plan called “Tourism Support for Maui’s Recovery” was developed for the purpose of how best to respond to the Tourism Emergency Declaration issued on Aug. 19 by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green due to the Aug. 8 fires.

“These arrangements are one way to convey in a small way our community’s continued support and caring.”

Air sampling and testing will continue throughout fire debris removal to ensure the work does not significantly impact the air quality of Lahaina or Kula.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue announced it is extending its “Purchase A Meal” community initiative through the holidays as it continues efforts to provide relief to wildfire survivors on Maui.

The Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi announced the donation of surfboards to the 22 Lahainaluna High School and Maui Preparatory Academy surf team members and coaches who lost their homes and belongings in the August fire that destroyed Lahaina Town.

Owners of short-term rental properties are invited to FEMA’s Direct Lease Industry Day on Friday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali in the Honokahua & Honokeana Room. All registration requests must be completed by TODAY Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.

Two Maui community emergency hubs that have been supporting the needs of those harmed by the wildfire disaster are now partnering with Kupu: The Kāʻanapali Hub and Nāpili Hub are now able to provide paid positions via Kupu while they continue to meet the urgent needs of their community. As the initial phase of this partnership, Kupu’s EŌ Maui has 15 participants on payroll between the two hubs.  

An estimated 200 affordable rentals are under construction in Lahaina as part of the Kaiāulu o Kūku′ia project, which includes Hawaiʻi’s very first Bezos Academy preschool. 

The temporary campus project is expected to be completed by the end of February, when the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will take over to furnish and install telecommunication equipment.

The Mālama ‘Āina Project’s primary goals are to heal, empower, and inspire the community while restoring proper ecology in the foothills above Lahaina. The project seeks to reduce the likelihood of wildfires and give back to the community.

The Maui County Council on Tuesday passed the first reading of Mayor Richard Bissen’s Bill 131 that provides 100% property tax exemptions to owners of short-term rentals, timeshares and non-owner occupied homes who rent at least one-year to Maui fire survivors.

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting, beginning Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, in Zones 8A and 8B. 

Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green today delivered an address marking one year in office. In his address, he highlighted issues and efforts to address affordable housing, education, tourism, red hill, gun violence, healthcare and Maui’s recovery following the Aug. 8 wildfires.

Mayor Richard Bissen’s Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meetings resume this week at 6 p.m. in Kula on Tuesday (tonight) and at 5:30 p.m. in Lahaina on Wednesday after being canceled last week due to the kona low weather system. 

The Salvation Army is calling for the community’s support as they prepare for a heartwarming event, “Magical Maui Christmas,” set to take place on Dec. 9, 2023, at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The event aims to uplift and bring holiday joy to over 2,000 wildfire survivors by providing them with a memorable Christmas experience.