Maui News
New phase of Maui shelter program; 800 households have not yet established full eligibility
As of this week, about 800 households in non-congregate sheltering had not yet established full eligibility. Those households are receiving a letter asking them to contact the Red Cross within 48 hours, by phone or in person at the hotels where they are staying, to provide the missing information.
New plant species unique to Hawaiʻi discovered in remote West Maui forest
A unique plant first seen in the high forests of West Maui in 2020 has now been officially recognized as a new Hawaiian species. The plant, now named Clermontia hanaulaensis, was found during routine surveys by botanist Hank Oppenheimer of the Plant Extinction Prevention Program, a partnership with DLNR and the University of Hawai‘i.
US House energy subcommittee grills Hawaiian Electric CEO about utility’s role in deadly Lahaina fire
During the first Congressional fact-finding hearing about the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina fire, members of the US House Energy & Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations grilled Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura about de-energizing power lines, wildfire mitigation efforts and replacing above ground lines connected to wood poles with buried lines.
Maui County Federal Credit Union Lahaina reopens in temporary location
Maui County Federal Credit Union’s Lahaina branch has reopened in a temporary new location at the Fairway Shops in Kāʻanapali at 2580 Kekaʻa Drive, Suite 117, between China Bowl and Keller Williams Realty.
Annual Keiki Halloween Festival to return to Imua Discovery Garden, Oct. 28
Costumed children and their families are invited to join Imua Family Services at its third Keiki Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28. Held annually at the Will Smith Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku, the spooktacular event features live music, activities and goodies offered up by community nonprofit and business partners.
Team removes 63 tons of marine debris from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
A team of freedivers from the Honolulu-based nonprofit organization Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project returned on Saturday from a 28 day cleanup expedition to the remote Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Disaster restriction lifted Oct. 2-3 for Zones 2C, 2D, 2E – Kuʻuipo, ʻAʻa and Lokia Streets
County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, and Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Zones 2C, 2D and 2E, which includes homes on Kuʻuipo Street, ʻAʻa Street and Lokia Street.
CPB Foundation, Ace Hardware distribute essential supplies to Maui wildfire survivors
Central Pacific Bank Foundation and Ace Hardware are joining forces to distribute much needed disaster relief and essential cleaning supplies to West Maui residents affected by the Maui wildfires. A distribution will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (while supplies last) in front of the Ace Hardware location at the Lahaina Gateway Center.
Work begins on new mural at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College student lounge
More than 20 students, faculty and staff gathered in the Heona Fine Arts Studio last week to begin work on a new three-panel, 40-foot by 8-foot acrylic on canvas mural. It will be the centerpiece of UH Maui College’s new Student Lounge.
Rep. Jill Tokuda urges continued help for Maui fire recovery in testimony before House subcommittee
“Like you and I, our people have questions. We all deserve answers. Right now, the most important question must be, how do we keep the help coming?” – US Rep. Jill Tokuda
Kaulana Mahina workforce housing to begin application and lottery process
With construction of the first phase on a path to be completed by the end of the year, Kaulana Mahina—the new workforce housing development in Wailuku—will soon be accepting applications for its lottery process.
Listening session for West Maui boaters and commercial operators, Oct. 3
“We recognize that even before the Lahaina fire there were conflicts between commercial vessel operations, especially at Māla Wharf, and community recreational users. For this reason, we are encouraging fishers, commercial vessel operators, and interested community members to attend this informational meeting so everyone can share and hear respective interests and concerns at the same time before decisions are made,” said Chang.
Maui County Council listens as Lahaina residents emotionally have their say
Nearly 150 people from keiki to kūpuna — many who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses in the Aug. 8 fire — testified before the Maui County Council in Kāʻanapali about the resolution to develop a recovery and resiliency plan in response to the Maui fires.
Disaster area restriction lifted for Zone 5A: Old Lahaina Lūʻau anchored parcel
County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions have been lifted for business in Zone 5A, which is the Old Lahaina Lūʻau anchored parcel along Front Street. Access is via the Lahaina Cannery Mall through the Keawe Street entrance only. All other entrance points are blocked off.
Potable water available for the public’s use in Lahaina, Upper Kula
The Department of Water Supply reminds people in areas affected by the recent wildfires that they may obtain safe water for their drinking, cooking and basic hygiene needs from a fleet of designated potable water tankers positioned at various sites in Lahaina and Upper Kula.
County of Maui Grants Review Committee approves $74,704 grant for Ka Lima O Maui
The Office of Economic Development, Grants Review Committee and Mayor Richard Bissen, have approved $74,704 in funding for the longtime Maui nonprofit organization, Ka Lima O Maui. This grant, facilitated by the Office of Economic Development, will further enable Ka Lima O Maui’s efforts to provide adults with disabilities meaningful work opportunities, bolstering their mission to “enhance lives through self-reliance.”
Lahaina tragedy prompts return of Hōkūleʻa to Hawaiʻi in December before continuing Pacific circumnavigation
Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson today announced a major change to the Moananuiākea Voyage sail plan. In the wake of the devastating fires on Maui, Hōkūleʻa will return home from San Diego, California in late December, before continuing on the circumnavigation of the Pacific.
FBI’s ongoing role in the Lahaina wildfire disaster response
When a wildfire devastated the island of Maui on Aug. 8, killing at least 97 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes, the FBI offered assistance to law enforcement partners on Maui. Today that assistance continues as teams work to identify remains and confirm individuals who are unaccounted for.
House Interim Schools Working Group hosts West Maui community meeting, Sept. 28
House Interim Schools Working Group Co-Chairs Justin H. Woodson and Jenna Takenouchi and members of the House Interim Schools Working Group in coordination with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will organize a public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, to discuss the status of education for Maui students impacted by the Lahaina wildfire.
State Senate to hold field briefing in Lahaina on wildfire-related insurance claims, Sept. 28
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection will hold a field briefing in Lahaina on Thursday, Sept. 28 to address questions and take testimony pertaining to wildfire-related insurance claims.