Since the Lahaina fire destroyed much of the Maui town on Aug. 8, Kimberly Buen of California been trying to find her father Maurice Buen, who is among the hundreds of people still “unaccounted for.”

An unsafe water notice is still in effect for fire affected areas Upcountry and in parts of Lahaina.  Water sampling will continue today Aug. 18 and Sunday Aug. 20. Water testing will continue for some time to ensure it is safe for drinking. Testing will continue for some time to ensure drinking water is safe.

Those applying for assistance can speak to FEMA specialists, get assistance registering for disaster assistance, get in touch with voluntary organizations, and have access to other federal and state resources. Those applying for assistance can speak to FEMA specialists, get assistance registering for disaster assistance, get in touch with voluntary organizations, and have access to other federal and state resources.  The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open at UHMC seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you sustained physical damage to your business of any size, you may be eligible for up to $2 million in Business Physical Disaster Loans for the repair or replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment and all other physical losses.  If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to the SBA to apply for low-interest loans to replace or repair disaster-damaged real estate and personal property including automobiles.

Maui residents affected by the fires can speak to representatives from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, 310 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Hawaii.

Three fundraisers are being held on Maui on Saturday and several more are scheduled in the near future — including benefit concerts on Oʻahu and in Tacoma, Wash. — to benefit people affected by the Maui wildfires.

With President Joe Biden scheduled to travel to Lahaina on Monday to meet with fire survivors and first responders, the president has been asked to consider visiting Maria Lanakila Catholic Church. The historic church established in 1846 survived the devastation of a wildfire that swept through historic Lahaina town Aug. 8-9. More than 2,000 buildings were destroyed.

Maui musician Marty Dread’s search for a missing relative of his daughter has a happy ending. He survived, as well as his girlfriend and dog, but they lost everything.

“Going forward, and until further notice, there will be zero tolerance for anyone who trespasses, including residents of the affected area, the news media, and the general public, which could result in a citation or arrest,” police said in a news release. “The area is not safe, and it is disrespectful for anyone to wander around without authorization.”

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that nearly 1,000 federal responders are on the ground in Hawaiʻi to help the state recover from the devastating wildfires. In the days since President Biden declared a major disaster declaration for the state of Hawaiʻi, FEMA has approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households including more than $2.3 million in initial rental assistance.

Beginning Saturday, carriers from the Lahaina Main Post Office will resume mail delivery to addresses that are accessible and at which homes and mail receptacles are still standing.

‘Āina Momona has provided $1.25 million for relief efforts following the Maui wildfires, offering critical emergency assistance to affected families.

Haleakalā National Park’s Summit and Kīpahulu Districts remain closed to the public through at least the evening of Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Visitors should not plan to drive to or visit the park until it has been officially reopened.

The first day of preschool is set for Monday, Aug. 21, at Head Start sites at Haʻikū Elementary School, Kīhei Elementary School, Eddie Tam complex in Makawao, UH-Maui College, Wailuku Elementary School and Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center. The Lahaina center at Lahaina Intermediate School is temporarily closed. 

Ebb & Flow Arts presents Duo Diorama – Minghuan Xu, violin, and Winston Choi, piano – in a concert at Keawalaʻi Congregational church in Mākena on Saturday, Aug. 19, with donations raised to support Maui disaster relief. Organizers say all donations to this free event will go to the Maui Food Bank.

Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, together with Nā Kama Kai, invites the public to come together on Saturday, Aug. 19, for family and friends affected by the Lahaina fires with a community paddle out to “Queens” surf break in Waikīkī on Oʻahu.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 18 are posted HERE. Today, three of those fires remain active with crews monitoring for flare ups and hotspots. The death toll from the Lahaina fire has risen to 111, with the identity of six victims publicly released by police. An estimated 58% of the burn area has been searched. The wildfire is described as the nation’s deadliest in 100 years.

Students at King Kekaulike return to school on Wednesday, Aug. 23. In West Maui, Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High remain closed to students and staff. Phased reopening dates for these schools will be determined once the campuses are confirmed as safe by county, state and federal authorities.

When Lahainaluna High science teacher Jackie Ellis was fleeing deadly Lahaina wildfires last week, she never imagined a chance encounter at a stoplight would mean saving her former student’s life.

The Family Assistance Center is moving from its current location at the Kahului Community Center to the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom, located at 200 Nohea Kai Drive in Kāʻanapali, effective Friday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. FAC services at the Kahului Community Center will end as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17.