Maui News

Like a flame-thrower fueled by hurricane-force winds, the Lahaina wildfire raced mauka to makai, reducing whatever stood in its path to smoke, ash, concrete blocks and twisted metal. Then it reached the town’s iconic Banyan Tree.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will break ground next week on a critical sewer line project for the Kilohana temporary housing development, which will support 169 housing units for wildfire survivors. This project will enhance the community sewer system for Fleming Road residents and allow for future expansion.

One year after the devastating wildfires that impacted the people of Maui, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall — representing President Biden — FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore Merrell will join county and state officials on Maui to commemorate the one year mark in support of the community. 

Offering a hand to survivors since the day after the deadly wildfires, Maui Economic Opportunity will be closed Thursday ­– the first year mark since the 2023 fires. MEO staff have been personally involved in helping those impacted by the wildfires, providing rent/mortgage, utility, vehicle, clothing and school supply assistance, business bridge grants and jobs for those impacted and staff for about 45 host sites.

Maui musicians won multiple awards and were showcased throughout the event, which took time to recognize the ongoing recovery taking place following the August 2023 wildfires.

Maui police are on the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the Lahaina Bypass at Hōkiokio Place in West Maui. Motorists on scene report that traffic is heavy in the area as of 5:43 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Photos on scene show one vehicle tipped on its side and multiple police units on scene.

Longtime musician and on-air Maui radio personality, Shane Kaonohiokalā Kahalehau, was recognized by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts with the 2024 Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for Most Promising Artist of the Year.

Nearly a year after wildfire overwhelmed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, exploding fuel tanks and incinerating vessels moored dockside, a quiet Hawaiian blessing ceremony was held Monday for the harbor’s repaired fuel dock, now ready for business.

The County of Maui announced there will be no weekly Lahaina Disaster Recovery Community Update meetingthis Wednesday, Aug. 7, to allow for preparations for Remembrance Week gatherings. 

In a significant move to address the escalating food needs of the Maui community in the aftermath of last year’s devastating wildfires, Maui Food Bank and the American Red Cross have partnered to launch a new fixed distribution center, “Da Market.” This new facility, located at 48 Ulupono Street in Lahaina, spans 4,000 square feet and includes both a warehouse and market area, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for those in need.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today announced that the first Maui wildfire survivors have moved into units in the Hale ʻO Lāʻie interim housing project (formerly the Haggai Institute) in Kīhei.

Maui’s contemporary dance company Adaptations Dance Theater (ADT) will present its sixth annual “Bring it Home” dance concert on Aug. 16-18 at the Historic ʻĪao Theater. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

As of Friday, 1,372 residential properties in Lahaina had been cleared of ash and debris, representing 98% of the homes destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire disaster, according to Col. Eric Swenson, Maui Wildfires Recovery Field Office commander with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Humanitarian aid organization, World Vision returns to West Maui this week to host several distribution drives for families affected by last year’s wildfires. During the week of Aug 5, World Vision will host distribution events in Kahului and Pukalani.

Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center has been named by US News & World Report as a 2024-2025 Best Hospital.

They move on to play Eastvale Little League of Southern California at 11 a.m. HST (2 p.m. PT) on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.  They are two wins away from a regional title and a securing a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport Pa. Tuesday’s game will be carried on ESPN.

To celebrate community pride and local culture, cities across the nation have been transforming their area codes into holidays and events. Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is excited to bring this tradition to Hawaiʻi with the launch of 808 Bash, a new signature event for the center. The day’s activities will run from 12 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.

In partnership with Aloha United Way (AUW), Town Center of Mililani on Oʻahu hosts Mililani + Maui – United in Aloha: A Day of Lōkahi on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. The community can gather to mark the one-year commemoration of the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui, the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaiʻi’s history. The center aims to honor the memory of this solemn day and acknowledge the resilience and unity of those affected. The day’s lineup will include donation collections, community resources, keiki activities and cultural entertainment. 

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one year since the devastating Maui wildfires. In her speech, Hirono paid tribute to the individuals lost in the fires, honored the resilience of those impacted by the fires, and also emphasized the need for Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill to provide the resources that Maui, and other communities across the country impacted by disasters, will need.

HVO’s summit location was ideal for monitoring Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, Hawaiʻi’s two most active volcanoes.