With pressure from the Maui County Council and others, the Hawaiʻi State Commission on Water Resource Management on Monday reinstated 1st Deputy Kaleo Manuel, who was “redeployed” following accusations by a land owner that he delayed access to water during the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina fire.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has extended the deadline to Oct. 25 for private nonprofits and government organizations seeking public assistance funding for the Hawai‘i wildfire disaster.

The Heart of Maui Wine Project, in partnership with Kōkua Foundation, supports hospitality workers by launching an ‘art series’ featuring wines with unique labels by artist Jim Kingwell.

The University of Hawai’i has been awarded around $800,000 in expedited RAPID grants from the National Science Foundation for four projects addressing post-wildfire research.

As West Maui prepares for the return of tourism on Oct. 8, restaurants and businesses are adjusting to the ongoing need of residents while also gauging services for visitors. Since Aug. 10, Chef Peter Merriman and his team have fed thousands of displaced residents impacted by the fires, giving free meals to 1,000 people daily and serving approx. 45,000 meals in the first seven weeks of response. 

As the phased reopening of West Maui officially begins Sunday, the County of Maui is distributing a series of videos for the Maui community and its visitors.

Since the Maui wildfires of Aug. 8, more than $177 million in federal assistance has been approved for 6,210 households, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dr. Rebecca Winkie, area superintendent of the Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex, sent a letter to parents and guardians of students attending Lahaina schools to provide information about the reopening plans.

The Maui County Department of Water Supply has removed Upper Kula Area 2A and Lahaina Area 1 from the Unsafe Water Advisory.

Two days shy of the two-month anniversary of the start of the 1,000-acre Olinda Fire, daily fire patrols continue, according to a state Department of Land and Natural Resources news release. Firefighters from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife continue checking for hot spots and smokers. 

“Taste Our Love For Maui” unites eight exceptionally talented chefs, each deeply connected to the island’s rich heritage for one-night only on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at Humble Market Kitchin by Roy Yamaguchi and Wailea Beach Resort.

Chair Alice L. Lee made the announcement saying the bill establishes standards and procedures for the removal of hazardous waste, fire debris and hazard trees from properties damaged or destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires. The council passed the bill with amendments on first reading yesterday.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced today it will conduct a needs assessment survey for residents affected by the wildfires. The DOH survey will assess ongoing priorities identified by the community and barriers to accessing healthcare and other essential services.

Members of the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Environmental Protection Agency met last Tuesday on Maui to discuss the status of various missions.   

The Maui Police Department has narrowed its list of unaccounted for individuals from the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire to 10 people. The updated list was released on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Like many of those in Hawaiʻi who watched with heavy hearts the devastation that the wildfires left on Maui, the members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wind Ensemble felt a desire to honor those who were lost, those who survived, and those who are working to help the community.

Three in-person meetings of the Maui Strong Support Group will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Nāpili. The meetings are hosted by Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaiʻi.

In a significant decision aimed at amplifying the voices of the people of Maui, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has chosen to relocate its highly anticipated 22nd Annual Native Hawaiian Convention from Oʻahu to Maui. This year’s convention is scheduled to take place from Nov. 14-17, 2023, at the Maui Arts and Culture Center in Kahului, Maui.

Disaster area restrictions will be lifted on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 9 and 10, for owners and residents of Zones 3A, 3B and 3C. This includes parts of Wahikuli, ʻĀinakea and Fleming roads

The Maui Police Department identified one more victim of the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire on Thursday: Michael Mahnensmith, 80, of Lahaina. Mahnensmith’s name was moved from the latest “verified list” of unaccounted for individuals released last week Friday. Maui police update the list weekly.