Wildfires & Recovery

A four-person team from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife continues to patrol the lines established in the forest reserve and on adjacent private ranch land to douse hot spots and smokers at the 1,000-acre Olinda fire.

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one month since wildfires tore through Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. In her remarks, Senator Hirono spoke in remembrance of those who lost their lives, highlighted the Federal government’s robust response, and reiterated her commitment to fighting for the resources Maui County and the Lahaina community will need to recover from the devastation caused by the fires.

In response to community concerns about keeping jobs in Hawai‘i for local businesses and workers, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has pivoted its Hawaiian Trades Academy to focus on workforce development with the launch of its Maui Workforce Development Program. This program will provide free certification and job training courses to Maui residents beginning Sept. 15, 2023.  In-person instruction will be held at a new classroom space near CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui Resource Hub at Maui Mall Village in Kahului.

The Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi has launched a “Luna Strong” fundraising campaign to assist the Lahainaluna student athletes and coaches who were displaced by last monthʻs fire. The fund was created through a request from the school’s athletic program, and has already collected $325,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to kick off the campaign.

A total of 88 transpacific flights were canceled in August, representing 23,083 air seats. The passenger count to Kahului Airport decreased by more than 70% after the wildfires from 7,000 a day to 2,000 a day. The loss from business closures and visitor expenditures is estimated to be $11 million a day on Maui since Aug. 9, 2023.

EPA has completed removal of hazardous material at 300 properties in total. Darryl Oliveira, interim administrator of Maui Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday shared an update on re-entry to Lahaina and announced the county’s new Maui Recovers website.

Maui Crime Stoppers is urging wildfire survivors on Maui to report any unsolicited offers to buy their property. The organization notes that this action is considered a crime.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, and Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto announced the establishment of six interim House working groups tasked with the crucial responsibility of evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action in the 2024 Legislative Session. Working groups will focus on: environmental remediation; food, water and other supplies; jobs and businesses; schools; shelter; and wildfire prevention.

The East Maui community of Hāna celebrates the reopening of the historic Hāna Gakuen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on Sept. 9, 2023, with a Bon Dance as part of the celebration. The event will pay homage to the rebirth of the temple while raising funds for the Japanese temples destroyed in the Lahaina blaze.

A Filipino resource fair called “Hawak Kamay” (Hand-in-hand) is planned for Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center for individuals and families affected by the recent wildfires. The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi are coordinating the effort.

Oliveira is providing once-a-week updates on re-entry for four consecutive weeks, starting this week.  To date, the EPA had completed the removal of hazardous material at 300 properties in Kula and Lahaina. The official website, www.MauiRecovers.org, launched this evening to provide vital information and assistance, including re-entry data, to those affected by the destructive fires that started Aug. 8 on Maui.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green announced on Tuesday a “vehicle replacement program,” but neither the rental car companies nor Maui auto dealerships seem to know anything about it.

In an effort to support Native Hawaiian families impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires, the trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have approved $5 million to aid in disaster recovery.

Hawaiʻi residents who registered for FEMA assistance for the wildfires that began sweeping across Maui Aug. 8 will receive a determination letter from FEMA. In some cases, the letter may say you are ineligible for assistance. FEMA advises that this is not a denial.

Spanish- and Filipino-speaking individuals seeking to report missing people from the Lahaina wildfire can receive assistance from Maui Economic Opportunity language specialists from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

The Maui Humane Society was granted restricted access on Aug. 26, 18 days after the destructive wildfire swept through Lahaina. Maui Humane Society CEO, Lisa Labrecque, DVM, shared the challenges, obstacles, and ongoing efforts to provide help in the wake of Maui’s wildfire disaster. Her open letter to the Maui community is posted here.

Bistro Casanova in Kahului is pledging 100% of its profits until Dec. 31, 2023 to Maui Strong, to support recovery in the wake of the Lahaina fires.

Hale Makua Health Services announced the establishment of an Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by emergencies or disasters like the Maui wildfires last month.

In support of those affected by the tragic and life-altering fires on Maui, Jack Johnson announces Songs For Maui, a live benefit album featuring Hawaii’s own Paula Fuga and John Cruz. The album is digitally available on Sept. 15. On Sept. 18, Johnson and his band will perform an intimate benefit concert at The Republik in Honolulu, along with special guests Paula Fuga and John Cruz. All proceeds from the Songs For Maui album and The Republik show will benefit fire relief efforts and help provide ongoing support for Maui. Tickets go on sale Sept. 8.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) delivered remarks on the Senate floor discussing the impact of the deadly fires on Maui last month and underscoring the need for continued federal support in the months ahead.