Maui credit unions unite to support wildfire recovery with $153,000 donation to Ho’ōla LTRG
The Credit Union Wildfire Relief Fund, representing a coalition of Maui’s six chartered credit unions, has donated $153,000 to the Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group to support ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. The funds will directly assist families rebuilding their homes by covering insurance gaps in upcoming Mennonite Disaster Service construction projects.
By the numbers: Maui recovery inches forward 2 years after fires
A new UHERO report finds signs of housing stability and rent relief, but major challenges remain around displacement, poverty and job loss.
Rebuilding progress: 90 Lahaina homeowners complete no-cost property surveys
Through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program funded by the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), 90 homeowners in Lahaina and Kula have been able to complete property surveys at no cost. By the end of this month, another 66 surveys will be completed. That means 156 homeowners can now apply for permits to begin their rebuilds—with funds still available for another 544 applicants.
Grassroot Institute outlines 4 more ways to speed up Lahaina’s recovery
As the second anniversary approaches of the wildfires that destroyed much of Maui’s beloved Lahaina town, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi is calling for more action from state and county leaders to improve what it describes as a sluggish rebuilding process.
Modular homes to be transported this week
Hauling in Kahului will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5. On Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., modular homes will be delivered to Lahaina.
Evacuation maps, new leadership, more staffing mark changes at Maui Emergency Management Agency after fires
“The public information, or lack thereof, causes tremendous angst and panic, and we wanted to ensure that we improve in that area,” MEMA Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said.
Maui Police Department releases Final After-Action Report on Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires
The Maui Police Department has announced the release of the final After-Action Report (AAR) regarding the wildfires that occurred on Aug. 8, 2023. This report provides a comprehensive review of the department’s response and outlines 35 recommendations for improving future emergency operations.
Memory of 2023 wildfires taught Maui community, government to respond more urgently to tsunami warning
The mass evacuations, business closures and frequent warnings from government officials about Tuesday’s tsunami warning reflect the serious approach to potential disasters two years after the deadly fires on Maui.
Mālama Kula to host Kula Community Work Day on Aug. 8
As part of their ongoing efforts to help residents recover from the 2023 Kula Fire, Mālama Kula, will hold a Community Work Day on the morning of Aug. 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lahaina wildfire debris transfer trucks using alternate route due to traffic light outage today
Due to a traffic light outage on Maui Veterans Highway early this morning, Lahaina wildfire debris transfer trucks are utilizing an alternate route until 6 p.m. today, Monday, July 28, 2025.
Kaibigan ng Lahaina hosts the first round of food distribution through its Padigo Project
Kaibigan ng Lahaina, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery and resilience of Filipino and immigrant communities impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires, launched their Padigo Project with their first food distribution event held on June 13, 2025.
Kaibigan ng Lahaina and United Policyholders to host insurance policy review workshop
Kaibigan ng Lahaina, in partnership with United Policyholders, will host an insurance policy review workshop at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Office of Recovery within the Lahaina Gateway Center. The session will focus on navigating personal property claims and inventory. The workshop is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP with […]
Meetings slated for soon-to-launch Hoʻokumu Hou programs for Maui wildfire survivors
The County of Maui Office of Recovery will be hosting a series of community meetings on July 30 and Aug. 1, 2025, leading up to the opening of Hoʻokumu Hou program applications on Aug. 11. Newly named Hoʻokumu Hou, which will cover all of the County’s recovery programs funded by federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, will focus on housing initiatives intended to help wildfire survivors receive the means they need to stay, or return, home.
Better late than never: ‘Ohana Hope Village nears completion 2 years after Maui wildfires
The 88-unit temporary housing complex for fire survivors has taken 1 1/2 years longer to build that expected, and risen in cost from $14 to $20 million, but the need for it has not diminished.
Two indicted for fraudulent FEMA claims for the 2023 Lahaina and 2025 Palisades fires
The indictment alleges that Harris and Johnson conspired with each other and carried out a wire fraud scheme, wherein they are accused of submitting false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, claiming to have suffered income, housing, and property losses as a result of two federal disasters, when, as Harris and Johnson both knew, they did not live in the disaster area or suffer any such losses.
15 nonprofits join inaugural Kahua Grants Initiative for grassroots growth
Fifteen nonprofits have been awarded a spot in Maui United Way’s first-ever Kahua Grants Initiative cohort.
Sixth West Maui TDS report shows compliance with environmental regulations
The West Maui Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site environmental monitoring quarterly report for the sixth 90-day operational period shows the findings from sampling and monitoring are in compliance with county, state and federal environmental regulations.
Lahaina Energy Partnership releases new report; announces Phase 2 kickoff workshop
Local partners of the Lahaina Energy Partnership have released the “Community-Identified Energy Pathways Report.” The LEP invites all community members to join the Phase 2 Kickoff Co-Design Workshop on July 24, 2025, to continue shaping a resilient, community-guided energy plan for Lahaina.
Habitat for Humanity Maui to hold Disaster Recovery Fundraiser at Old Lahaina Lūʻau
Habitat for Humanity Maui announced its second annual Disaster Recovery Fundraiser to be held at the historic Old Lahaina Lūʻau on Oct. 4, 2025. This event aims to raise essential funds to support the continued 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.
‘Big Hearts’ book will represent Hawai‘i at 2025 National Book Festival
The Hawai‘i Center for the Book has selected “Big Hearts on a Little Island: The Maui Community’s Heroic Response to the 2023 Wildfires” as the “Great Reads from Great Places” adult title to represent the state of Hawai‘i at the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival.
