Maui News
State and County leaders reflect on one year mark after Maui wildfires
As the one year mark since the deadly Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires is upon us, state and county leaders reflect upon the loss, recovery and vision for the future.
Maui wildfires one year later: recovery efforts through Native Hawaiian healing practices
In the wake of the devastating wildfires on Maui last August, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaiʻi has been involved in several community efforts to help those impacted by the tragedy. One of these efforts is a grassroots collective called Laukanaka to provide and deploy traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices to those impacted by the Maui wildfires.
Maui wildfires one year later: FEMA reflects on hire of local contractors
FEMA Contracting Officer Demetria Carter recalls that not a single local vendor ultimately awarded a FEMA contract had ever been registered before on the federal government’s System for Award Management, or SAM.gov. She did her research and reached out to companies that provide a variety of services on Maui.
Delays keep wildfire survivors from occupying housing at ʻOhana Hope Village
Nearly a year after the Maui wildfires, about 300 wildfire survivors are still waiting for the opportunity to move into 72 units at the ʻOhana Hope Village across from King’s Cathedral in Kahului.
One year after devastating fires, La‘ikū housing welcomes two more families
On Aug. 7, the eve of the anniversary of the 2023 wildfires that destroyed 3,071 homes, two more families from Lahaina received keys to temporary homes at the La‘ikū housing site.
Maui wildfires one year later: Teachers reflect on year of resilience
A year after devastating fatal wildfires swept through Maui, teachers across the island continue to deal with the tragedy’s profound impact and acknowledge the crucial role played by their union, the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, in recovery efforts.
Maui wildfires one year later: UH research continues to assess impacts, support recovery
Within days of the worst natural disaster in state history, University of Hawaiʻi researchers began providing assistance and support on multiple fronts, including providing direct support and assessing the environmental impact and the long-term health outcomes of residents. They have also studied how to improve disaster preparedness and wildfire mitigation efforts and worked to determine the short- and long-term economic impacts.
Maui wildfires one year later: Flags ordered to half-staff in memory of lives lost
With the one year mark of the deadly blaze approaching, Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff, from sunrise on Aug. 8 to sunset on Aug. 12, in honor of those lives lost.
Maui wildfires one year later: FEMA sheds light on embracing local traditions in disaster response
“Having an understanding of Hawaiian culture, its outlook and its behaviors, and how it manifests into our communities, was extremely important for people to know,” said Hōkūlani Holt, Maui cultural practitioner in a FEMA interview.
Maui wildfires one year later: $1.4M grant boosts Maui Wildfire Exposure Study research
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the devastating Maui wildfires, the most comprehensive study focused on understanding and mitigating the health and social impacts of the fires, has received a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue its groundbreaking work.
Pukalani fire updates: Evacuation order lifted; fire 100% contained at under 2 acres
Fire crews returned to the scene of the Pukalani fire at first light this morning to resume mop-up operations. Fire officials say the cause of yesterdayʻs fire is undetermined, but is not believed to have been intentional. The blaze burned 1.5 acres according to updated estimates.
Maui wildfires one year later: Release of the Historic Lahaina Photography Collection to go live
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will release the first of five digitized historic Lahaina collections on its Papakilo Database on Aug. 8, 2024, one year to the day after the devastating Maui wildfires. The collection is the result of a collaborative partnership with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
Public advised of Aug. 8 Lahaina work stoppage
Mayor Richard Bissen has announced that in connection with the scheduled activities on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, he has requested all construction/utility work be stopped in all secured burn zone areas, all previously secured burn zone areas, all highway and Bypass areas between Puʻukōliʻi Road and Olowalu Store, and all areas adjacent to the current and previously secured burn zones.
Maui wildfires one year later: recovery projects highlight community resilience
The Federal Emergency Management Agency reflected upon a challenging year marked by the Aug. 8 wildfires disaster. FEMA administrators say major recovery projects highlight the community’s resilience and the role of FEMA in supporting rebuilding efforts.
Gov. Green signs emergency proclamation to address condo insurance crisis
“The wildfire in Maui has highlighted these issues for our state, leading to skyrocketing insurance rates for condos, some increasing by as much as 1,000%. With the possibility of similar rate hikes for townhouses, immediate action is required to protect Hawaiʻi homeowners and maintain market stability,” according to the governor’s announcement.
Maui wildfires one year later: Kilohana housing to provide 169 units to displaced survivors by October 2024
At the one year mark since the fires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided an update on its Kilohana group housing site. The development, located on 34 acres mauka of a cane haul road near Wahikuli Road, will provide temporary housing for 169 households, and is anticipated to be complete by the end of October 2024.
Maui wildfires one year later: “Imagining something new, but taking the best of what was here before”
State and local government leaders joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency in reflecting upon the one year mark since the Aug. 8, 2023 Maui wildfires. Leaders shared their focus on a shift toward long-term recovery while supporting the community’s resilience as it moves forward.
Gov. Green hails philanthropic effort by Matson and HomeAid Hawai‘i for Maui housing recovery
Matson has committed to donating $5 million in cargo transportation services to state- and county-supported Maui recovery projects, including housing. The Ka La‘i Ola project by HomeAid Hawaiʻi, the state, Maui County and Hawai‘i Community Foundation, is the first to benefit from Matson’s assistance. HomeAid Hawai‘i and its contractors are on track to complete the first 270 units by December 2024 and the remaining 180 units by the first quarter of 2025. Starting Aug. 9, 2024, Ka La‘i Ola will be welcoming ‘ohana in phased openings.
EPA issues emergency stop order on use of pesticide Dacthal
The US Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the emergency suspension on the use of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
Free construction training at UH Maui College begins next week
Beginning next week, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College will offer a comprehensive range of free construction training courses that will continue through this Fall 2024 semester. It starts with a one-week Basic Carpentry course, running from Monday, Aug. 12 to Friday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily.
