Realtors Association of Maui members earn national recognition for community service in aftermath of Maui wildfires
The Realtors Association of Maui members recently received the 2024 Nate Ellis Award by Inman, for their community service and support within the industry. The award recognized RAM members for their commitment and contributions to the community in the aftermath of Maui’s devastating wildfires.
County announces amended sewer service status for West Maui area
The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division announced that it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active for a property, in the following area: Seven lots near Kahula Place and the southern end of Lahainaluna Road.
Taskforce Kiwi deploys to Maui to support wildfire recovery
As New Zealand-based disaster relief group Taskforce Kiwi closes out its second year of operations, an initial rotation of skilled volunteers have departed for Hawaiʻi to support with wildfire recovery on the island of Maui.
Maui Rotary clubs and friends sponsor ‘Teardrop of Lahaina’ sculpture
A new sculpture in Lahaina is providing a space for peaceful remembrance.
Speaker Joel Navarro of Maui Pono Foundation to discuss restoration of Lahaina at Rotary Satellite Club of Kīhei-Wailea meeting, Aug. 20
The Rotary Satellite Club of Kīhei-Wailea will be hearing from Joel Navarro with Maui Pono Foundation on Aug. 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Tantes in Māʻalaea. Navarro will share about Restoring Lahaina: Maui Pono Foundation’s Journey of Hope and Recovery.
Hawaiʻi United Okinawa Association donates $672,000 to Maui Strong Fund
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation today announced a monumental donation of $672,076.98 from the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association to its Maui Strong Fund. The majority of the gift comes directly from residents who donated at various city halls throughout the prefecture, as well as from businesses, and elected leaders in Okinawa. The effort was coordinated by the Yuimaaru Maui fundraising campaign with HUOA’s sister organization Okinawa Hawai‘i Kyokai.
Process amended for downloading Debris Removal Closeout Package
The County of Maui has amended the process for obtaining the Consolidated Debris Removal Closeout Package for properties affected by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires in Lahaina and Kula.
Hawaiʻi State FCU donates $25,000 to Salvation Army Maui for continued wildfire recovery
In strong support and remembrance, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union recently presented a $25,000 donation to the Salvation Army Maui dedicated to the continued recovery of the communities impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires. This donation is part of an internal fundraising initiative, which the credit union and its employees collectively contributed to support the Salvation Army Maui.
Lahaina Community Land Trust secures first piece of land to steward in Lahaina hands
The Lahaina Community Land Trust (LCLT) has secured its first parcel of community-owned land, that will be held in Lahaina hands forever, for the benefit of the local community for generations to come. The property at 1651 Lokia Street was secured by the LCLT in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization. Once construction is complete, a homeowner will be chosen through a lottery system currently being developed by LCLT and its advisory board of Maui Komohana community leaders.
FEMA provides online resources for wildfire survivors
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has gathered online resources for homeowners, business owners and others to recover from last year’s wildfire disaster and protect themselves in the future.
New playground dedicated at King Kamehameha III temporary site in West Maui
With lots of places to climb, jump and slide, new playground equipment delivered something vitally important to keiki at King Kamehameha III Elementary School on Tuesday. And, that’s . . . fun!
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama students shine in production honoring Lahaina and Maui; Obon festival honors memory of lives lost in wildfire
Calling it their love letter to Lahaina and to Maui, nearly 150 Kamehameha Schools Kapālama fifth-grade students shared their live stage production “Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele: The Shaded Breadfruit Grove of Lele,” with the Maui community on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Baldwin High School auditorium in Wailuku. The one-of-a-kind show explored Lahaina’s rich history […]
Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting to be held in Lahaina Civic Center gym
The meeting will feature a presentation by representatives of the Lahaina Community Land Trust, updates on water and wastewater progress and highlights from the recent Kuhinia Maui gatherings. Col. Eric Swenson, US Army Corps of Engineers Recovery Field Office Commander, will introduce Lt. Col. Collin Jones who will this week assume oversight of USACE operations in Lahaina’s recovery as Col. Swenson completes his sixth-month assignment to Maui.
Kapalua Village opens with 50 temporary modular homes for wildfire impacted employees
TY Management Corporation welcomes the opening of Kapalua Village, the first privately funded temporary housing community for Kapalua golf course and other Kapalua-based employees who were impacted by the devastating Lahaina, Maui wildfires. The opening of Kapalua Village coincides with the one-year remembrance of the wildfires and the first group of families is scheduled to move in this month.
Photos: Kuhinia Maui gatherings conclude with Special throwback performance by ‘Ulalena in Lahaina
Day of Hope and Prayer was highlighted by a heartfelt musical and artistic performance by ʻUlalena, a beloved Lahaina-based group that headlined Lahaina’s Maui Theater for two decades. With many original cast and crew members, the ʻUlalena throwback performance Sunday brought hopeful tears, and standing ovations.
West Maui hotels donate to Lahaina tribute quilt, honor first responders, reflect on one year since wildfires
In honor of the Maui wildfire remembrance of Aug. 8, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas installed a Kapa Kuiki Quilt, in their hotel lobby. The 16 panels that make up the quilt, tell stories of the history of Lahaina in a design by artists of ʻohana o Pūnana Leo o Maui. The Westin Nanea obtained the Lahaina tribute quilt in an auction at the most recent Ho‘omau event and installed the piece of symbolism for public display on the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires.
Maui wildfires one year later: state, federal and local authorities recap recovery
After marking one year since devastating wildfires swept through West Maui and Upcountry, state, county and federal leaders gathered to recap response and ongoing recovery. The fires destroying the town of Lahaina, claiming the lives of 102 people and leaving thousands displaced. The process toward recovery is ongoing with housing of wildfire survivors remaining a key focal point.
Puana Aloha no Lahaina: Night of music, memories and community with surprise drone show
To cap off Friday’s community-inspired events honoring Lahaina, upwards of 500 people attended “Puana Aloha no Lahaina” at the Lahaina Civic Center on Friday night.
Long after fire’s anniversary passes, memories will remain for families of victims
“We’re all kind of maneuvering through our grief differently,” said Trixy Nuesca-Ganer, who lost her uncle David Nuesca Jr. in the fire. “Some have been able to move on and let him be at rest and peace. I think collectively we just try to remember the good things and not focus on the loss.”
Ground blessing held for sewer main to serve the Kilohana temporary housing site in Lahaina
A ground blessing ceremony was held on Friday at Wahikuli Park, marking the start of a critical sewer line installation at the Kilohana Temporary Group Housing site in Lahaina. This project is part of the utility preparation for Kilohana, which will provide longer-term housing for survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The Kilohana site, which will soon feature 169 FEMA-procured modular housing units, ranging from one to three bedrooms.