Latest Fire Recovery News

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court hears arguments in historic $4.037B Maui Wildfire Settlement

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court convened to determine whether or not insurers can interfere with the historic $4.037 billion global settlement for plaintiffs in the Maui Wildfires Cases.

County announces amended sewer service status for 61 West Maui lots

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division announced today it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property that does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active, for 61 properties in the Kelawea Mauka area.

Information for landlords, renters on lifting of eviction moratorium available at Feb. 15 event

An eviction moratorium put in place by Gov. Josh Green following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires expired Tuesday, Feb. 4, and an event Saturday, Feb. 15, will offer “what now?” information, assistance to renters and landlords and details of new procedures to handle evictions and disputes.

Traffic advisory: Honoapiʻilani and Kapunakea due to sewer line installation, Feb. 10-14

Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays due to lane closures at the intersection of Honoapiʻilani Highway and Kapunakea Street in Lahaina for sewer line installation and paving work for the Kaiāulu o Kūkuʻia Affordable Housing project.

More modular homes to be delivered to Lahaina for wildfire survivors

Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are transported from Kahului to the state’s Ka Laʻi Ola housing site in Lahaina. Hauling will take place nightly on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8, along with Feb. 12 through 14, all beginning at 9:30 p.m.

SMA permits suspended for wildfire-impacted Lahaina properties mauka of Front Street

A waiver of special management area rules for Lahaina wildfire survivors is expected to reduce rebuilding permit processing by about a year, speeding reconstruction and economic recovery for the West Maui community impacted by the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

Rental requirement begins March 1 for FEMA direct housing participants

Wildfire survivors currently in FEMA’s Direct Housing Program will be required to begin paying rent on March 1, 2025. The rental requirement will be in effect for the remainder of FEMA’s housing assistance program, which has been extended through Feb. 10, 2026.  

Lahaina housing: Former tenants eager to return, daunted by four-year wait

Former residents of the Lahaina Surf and Front Street Apartments — destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires — cheered when they were reassured that both affordable housing complexes would be rebuilt and that they, as residents at the time of the fires, would be given priority to return to redeveloped homes.

Partnership connects Lahaina homeowners with resources to help keep families on land

If selling land is a last resort, the pledge recognizes that real estate professionals can serve as a safety net that connects homeowners with resources to help keep their families on their land.

Wildfire prevention bill set for public hearing Wednesday

A House bill requested by the administration of Gov. Josh Green aimed at preventing wildfires in Hawaiʻi will be heard by two House committees at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Bill in Hawaiʻi Legislature would speed up rebuilding of affordable housing complexes destroyed in Lahaina fire

Measure specifically targets four affordable housing projects that offered 358 units before the fire.

Kelea Foundation to host training on supporting disabled communities

The Kelea Foundation will host a community training aimed at helping organizations supporting wildfire survivors better understand and address the needs of individuals with disabilities.

MEMA After-Action Report on Maui wildfires released

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett has released the agency’s After-Action Report on the 2023 Maui wildfires.

County announces amended sewer service status for 32 West Maui lots

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) 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 32 properties in the following areas: Sewer service was active for the […]

Bills introduced to establish Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund

Companion bills in the state House and Senate have been submitted to establish the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to pay claims from about 2,200 plaintiffs who’ve filed claims from injuries suffered in the August 2023 disaster.

County: Fourth West Maui Temporary Debris Storage report shows compliance

The West Maui Temporary Debris Storage site environmental monitoring quarterly report for the fourth 90-day operational period shows the findings from sampling and monitoring comply with county, state and federal environmental regulations.

Hale Mahaolu plans to redevelop Lahaina Surf and Front Street Apartments

Hale Mahaolu, a nonprofit affordable housing provider, has announced plans to redevelop its Lahaina Surf property, and the Front Street Apartments, which is owned by the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The redevelopment projects are expected to provide 304 units of family housing for Maui residents.

Event on Saturday addresses the looming expiration of Maui’s eviction moratorium

Gov. Josh Green’s eviction moratorium for Maui will expire on Feb. 4, 2025. To provide information and answer questions about what this means for renters and landlords, the State and Maui Mediation Services will hold an event this Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cameron Center in Wailuku.

Lahaina Energy Partnership invites community to second co-design workshop

This second session is about taking those initial ideas and turning them into actionable pathways for a resilient energy future that honors Lahaina’s heritage.

Nonprofit distributes $60K in gift cards to fire survivors for the holidays

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Rotary District 5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief program distributed $60,000 in Foodland and Walmart gift cards to Maui fire survivors.
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