US Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) announced a shared legislative priority for Congress to approve funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund as Maui continues recovery from the Aug. 8 deadly wildfire in Lahaina.

“Due to the old infrastructure of Lahaina, storm water does not flow into settling basins or modern infrastructure, so it flows as quickly as possible into the ocean. So, that’s a huge concern with the amount of potentially toxic substances on the land now,” said Russell Sparks, an aquatic biologist with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources.

To meet survivors’ needs, teams are going to neighborhoods, visiting temporary housing sites and are making themselves available to answer questions at Disaster Recovery Centers.

The second Maui Ola concert will feature local favorite band, The Green, who will perform live on Sept. 3, 2023, at the Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. The band will offer free live streaming of their performance on mele.com from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Less than one-third (29%) of those surveyed have yet to create a comprehensive emergency plan for natural disasters, while just 1 in 10 have embraced modern tools such as disaster-related apps or text notifications from official national disaster resource agencies. And only 10% of older adults follow national disaster resource organizations on social media such as FEMA, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 30 are posted HERE. Maui police plan to release an updated list on Friday, of unaccounted for individuals from the Lahaina wildfire disaster. Multiple lists were merged into a pool of more than 1,000 names earlier in the investigation.  That was narrowed to 388 last week to focus on individuals where a first and last name was available as well as a verified contact number for the person who reported them missing.

President Biden announced the Department of Energy is providing $95 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to harden Hawaiʻi’s electric grid. The funding will replace wooden poles with fire-resistant material and strengthen critical transmission lines, including two on Maui.

Thanks to the generous contributions of its Residents and Associates, Kāhala Nui recently donated $74,842 to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund. The total donation includes a $10,000 match by Kāhala Nui Senior Living Foundation’s Community Outreach Fund.

Homeowners and renters whose primary residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires may apply for up to $3,000 in initial assistance per household. Applications are open through Dec. 31, 2023, and are available at https://www.hawaiirealtors.com/mauirelief/.

“We were very fortunate that our courthouse was not affected during the devastating wildfires earlier this month,” said Second Circuit Chief Judge Peter T. Cahill. “Unfortunately, our Lahaina employees have suffered significant losses. I am inspired by their resilience and deeply appreciate their public service, and we in the Judiciary are committed to supporting them and the Lahaina community.” 

Maui United Way’s Emergency Financial Assistance program has received more than 7,000 unique individual requests for financial help. The program offered a one-time $1,000 financial assistance payment, not to exceed $5,000 per household, for adult fire survivors living in the impacted fire zones in Lahaina and Kula. It was made possible by the many generous donations from local kamaʻāina, mainland friends, and people from around the world.  

Three weeks after the devastation of Lahaina, crews are still working to recover and to strengthen defenses against windstorms and wildfires. With high winds and severe drought conditions continuing to threaten parts of Maui, the trio vowed to work together to minimize the risk of wildfire and ensure public safety.

A premiere hula competition, a Bon Dance and a gathering of New Age performers may seem worlds apart from each other, but all three have something in common: helping Maui wildfire victims. Find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The Maui Police Department released the names of three more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. They are: Joseph Lara, 86, Gwendolyn Puou, 83, and Edward Sato, 76, all of Lahaina.

Congressional leaders are focusing on supplemental appropriations needed to help rebuild Lahaina Town, according to US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi) who is visiting Maui for assessments in the wake of the Aug. 8 wildfire disaster.

Talks are underway with officials from the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency and all four counties about codifying a new emergency response protocol to use sirens during wildfires everywhere in the state. It could become official “within days.”

Starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow, a shower trailer with one shower stall and one washer and dryer will be available for public use in the parking lot of Anytime Fitness at 24 Kiopaa St. in Makawao.

The US Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday began the next phase of the Lahaina recovery effort: removing and disposing of hazardous materials in the 5-square-mile burn area.

The state Department of Education has set a tentative goal of welcoming students back to the three West Maui campuses after fall break in mid-October.

The FBI is using specialized equipment to pick up any belongings or identifiable items to assist in the continuing effort to identify people who remain unaccounted for, from the Aug. 8 fire which leveled most of the town.