Maui News
US Energy Secretary tours Lahaina, pledging federal help to improve electric infrastructure, become more resilient
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm came to Maui to offer federal help for energy recovery from the fires and tout the US Energy Department’s $95 million grant to Hawaiian Electric for grid infrastructure improvements and wildfire mitigation.
Results: 2023 Kū Mai Ka Hula competition
Winners have been announced for the 16th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition, held on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
DOH releases preliminary, unvalidated data from Maui air sampling following wildfires
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health received access today to preliminary, unvalidated data of baseline air sampling conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui.
Three more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims identified Monday, bringing the total to 60
The Maui Police Department released the name of three more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Bibiana “Bhing” Lutrania, 58; Glenn Yoshino, 75; and Rafael Imperial, 63. All three are from Lahaina.
Island Energy Services and partners donate 100K more bottles of water to help with Maui wildfire recovery
Island Energy Services announced a second shipment of more than 100,000 bottles of Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water in three 40-foot shipping containers to provide ongoing assistance to those impacted by the Maui wildfires. This follows an initial shipment of more than 67,000 bottles of donated water last month.
HVCB appoints Scott Pauli as Executive Director of Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
The Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau announced the appointment of Scott Pauli as Executive Director for the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau, an island chapter of HVCB. Over his career, he held various leadership positions at luxury resorts on O‘ahu, Maui and the island of Hawai‘i.
HIDOE bus service for Lahainaluna High students to Kūlanihākoʻi High to begin on Sept. 14
The Hawai‘i State Department of Education will begin free bus service on Thursday, Sept. 14, for Lahainaluna High students to their temporary school site at the Kūlanihākoʻi High School campus in Kīhei.
Kīlauea eruption has stabilized, alert level dropped from warning to watch
The Keanakākoʻi viewing area is closed due to unsafe air quality. A plume of volcanic smoke contains sulfur dioxide, other gases and shards of volcanic glass that pose a significant risk, according to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Service.
DOH: Trace amount of toluene detected in Upper Kula water system
The presence of toluene was detected after the Upper Kula Wildfire in August of 2023. This strongly suggests its presence was an artifact of the wildfire impacting the surface water source for the Upper Kula Treatment Plant, according to the DOH. Further monitoring is planned by MDWS at the Upper Kula Treatment Plant.
Remembrance marking 22 Year Anniversary of 9/11
A remembrance service was held at the Kahului Fire Station on Maui, marking the 22 year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and honoring the 2,977 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and onboard United Flight 93.
Gov. Green appoints Keith Amemiya as Chair of Sports Task Force
Keith Amemiya has recently been appointed as chair of Governor Green’s Sports Task Force, which is under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Reyn Spooner Lahaina Sailor Collection gives back, raises $100K for Maui Strong Fund
The donation represents 100% of the net proceeds from both Reyn Spooner in-store and online sales of all Lahaina Sailor products from Aug. 11-31, 2023, including men’s and women’s apparel, kids’ clothing, and accessories.
SNAP food replacement in wildfire-hit Maui announced
The US Department of Agriculture announced that households impacted by wildfires in Hawaiʻi could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. This step was taken to ensure those in need who were impacted by the Hawaiʻi wildfires have food to eat.
FEMA teams up with The Home Depot to provide repair, rebuilding advice, Sept. 11-16
As Maui residents prepare to repair, rebuild and retrofit their homes after the Aug. 8 wildfires, FEMA has teamed up with the Home Depot in Kahului to provide free information and tips on how to make homes stronger and safer.
Free workshops for Maui cancer patients who experienced loss or trauma following wildfires
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,300 cancer survivors and current cancer patients were living in the areas of Maui affected by the wildfires. To help patients deal with trauma and loss caused by their cancer diagnosis and the devastation of the fires, ACS is teaming up with Maui Cancer Resources to offer group therapy sessions.
Maui County launches online resource for parks planning information
The County of Maui has created a new section on its website dedicated to the Parks Planning Program, allowing the public to access information about ongoing park projects and management.
Photographers launch Maui Memories Project to help
The goal is to help as many families as possible rebuild their photo collections and create some smiles, laughter and normalcy after tragedy. The project currently has six photographers signed up to provide services, with more joining each day.
Maui wildfire recovery: resources and updates, Sept. 11
As of today, $83.78 million in federal assistance has been approved for more than 5,090 households. This includes housing and other needs assistance and Small Business Association disaster loans. There were 7,282 people housed at 32 locations around Maui, in coordination with the American Red Cross. The EPA has completed removal of hazardous material at 433 properties in total.
Two more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims identified Sunday, bringing the total to 57
The Maui Police Department released the name of two more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Floyd St Clair, 75, and Leticia Constantino, 56, both of Lahaina.
Live Stream: Kīlauea volcano is erupting with lava fountains at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Kīlauea volcano is erupting. At approximately 3:15 p.m. HST on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, eruptive activity was observed in Kīlauea summit webcam images and from field reports indicating that an eruption has commenced within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
