Maui police on Wednesday evening confirmed the identity of six more individuals as victims of the Lahaina wildfire disaster.

Students already re-enrolled at other schools or in distance learning are unaffected. Family and community meeting scheduled for Aug. 30.

Underwater search efforts for human remains that began last Saturday, continued today in near-shore waters near the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor and along the Front Street breakwater. 

The Family Assistance Center has received reports about Maui community members receiving calls from individuals or organizations claiming to be with “DNA Services.” These telephone calls are scams, and anyone receiving them should hang up immediately and report them to the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency number at 808-244-6400.

Maui police are now confirming a report of a Lahaina family who had located their son’s remains within their residence and brought him to a nearby police station.

The Napili Plaza emergency distribution center for Lahaina fire survivors started organically with a group of retired and current firefighters who lived in the area wanting to do something.

Activated from the first moments of the Maui fires on Aug. 8, 2023, The Salvation Army prepared 26,284 meals and coordinated a total of 153,997 through local and nonprofit partnerships at 34 feeding locations during the initial phase of the relief effort, though feeding sites are now transitioning to non-congregate shelters at local hotels.

“Maui nonprofits are a needed support system for our communities,” says Lisa Paulson, Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “With the hardships of the recent wildfires, it was crucial to make this hard-earned money available to them immediately.”

Schatz expressed gratitude for the presidential visit, but is calling on the federal government to take additional actions including the release of more federal funds, support for expanded financial assistance, unemployment benefits, air and water safety, and help with making the FEMA assistance application process easier for those in need.

The Servco Foundation has committed an initial aid of $120,000 to recovery efforts on Maui, including contributions to the American Red Cross Hawaiʻi and assistance for displaced families with children.

Aloha Pacific, HawaiʻiUSA, and Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Unions have partnered to gather essential supplies for Maui community members affected by the recent natural disaster, accepting donations of various items at select Oʻahu branch locations.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 23 are posted HERE. Today, consolidation is underway at county-run distribution supply sites. The phased reopening of King Kekaulike High School is underway. Eight more people have been identified out of the 115 confirmed dead; and more than 1,000 remain unaccounted for. A second mobile substation has been energized in Lahaina, with 1,800 still without power.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services reminds the public that the Airbnb registration will continue Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 through Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at the Lahaina Gateway Center. The registration area is located next to the Kaiser Permanente tents.

Two weeks after the fast moving fire burned down much of Lahaina, the death toll is at 115; the remains that have been identified is at 43; and the number of “unaccounted for” is between 1,000 and 1,100, according to officials.

Staff at all four public schools in Lahaina will remain on paid administrative leave through Friday, Aug. 25 as clean up and safety assessments continue at Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High.

County of Maui-facilitated distribution sites will be transitioning locations, times, days and focus, according to an announcement released on Tuesday evening. The sites offer food, water and supplies to people impacted by Maui wildfires. 

Maui police on Tuesday evening confirmed the identity of eight more individuals as victims of the Lahaina wildfire disaster. To date, police have identified a total of 21 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin.

County and federal officials joined in discussing the process involved in accounting for individuals who have been reporting missing, as well as the process involved in identifying remains recovered in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire disaster. *View the full press conference at our Maui Now Facebook page.

Dozens of wellness providers, such as massage therapists and counselors, have volunteered their services for a free community pop-up clinic this Friday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 26. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the parking lot outside of Maui Ocean Center. The two-day clinic will be followed by free admission to Maui Ocean Center for kamaʻāina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) this Sunday, Aug. 27.

The County of Maui is urging residents in a number of Upcountry areas, including Upper Kula and Kēōkea, to stop using tap water, effective immediately, while an unsafe water advisory remains in effect. Several structures in the Upper Kula area were destroyed by the Kula wildfire, causing the water system in the area to lose pressure. The loss of pressure may have allowed harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals, to enter the water system.