Maui News
Hōkūleʻa crew pays tribute to Lahaina: “We voyage with Maui in our hearts.”
The people of Lahaina and the rest of Maui were on the forefront of everyone’s minds as Hōkūleʻa symbolizes hope and resilience to many of the Native Hawaiian community who were present at the welcome event. In honor of Lahaina, crew members wore red Hōkūleʻa shirts and red ceremonial kihei. They also hung special pink feather lei hulu at the top of the mast. The crew also placed over Hōkūleʻaʻs canvas, a “Lahaina Strong” banner created by members of Seattleʻs Native Hawaiian community.
Maui police confirm the identity of three more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims
Maui police have identified 43 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin, including three additional individuals on Sunday afternoon. The names of victims of the Maui wildfire disaster released today include: David Nuesca Jr., 59, of Lahaina; Poomaikai Losano, 28, of Lahaina; and Carolyn Ono, 73, of Lahaina.
Kahului man dies of gunshot wounds following altercation near Kīhei Medic station
A 21-year-old Kahului man died of gunshot wounds he reportedly sustained in an altercation reported early Sunday morning in North Kīhei. Medic personnel reported the victim was left at the Medic 3 station on South Kīhei Road by a group of unknown males. A preliminary investigation reveals a group of unknown individuals were congregated north of the Medic 3 location at Uwapo Road when a physical altercation escalated, leading to two gunshots being discharged.
El Niño, La Niña multi-year events could become more common, intensify climate risks
A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa assistant professor and an international team of researchers have revealed shifts in the tropical Pacific’s “Pacific Walker Circulation,” potentially leading to more prolonged El Niño and La Niña events, and intensifying climate-related impacts.
Wailea Golf and Tennis, Chan Foundation donate $125,000 for Maui disaster relief
The Wailea Golf and Tennis Clubs, along with the Chan Foundation, have pledged $125,000 in contributions to aid Maui’s wildfire disaster relief efforts, distributing the funds to five local nonprofits.
Central Pacific Bank Lahaina branch to reopen with full service, Aug. 28
Central Pacific Bank announced the Lahaina Branch will reopen to serve the West Maui community on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. The branch, which has been closed since Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, will provide a full range of business and personal banking services when it reopens on Monday.
Maui fire survivors now eligible for federal program to lower cost of phone, internet
The Federal Communications Commission has temporarily waived certain eligibility rules to ensure that people receiving federal disaster assistance due to the Maui fires can easily apply for and enroll in Lifeline, a federal program that helps lower the cost of phone and internet service for those in need.
Injured Maui firefighter returns home for recovery
Maui Fire Department and responders from other agencies welcomed home the department member who was injured on Aug. 8, fighting the fire in Lahaina. He had spent the last two weeks in the hospital on Oʻahu.
First of several paddle out events on Maui held in memory of Lahaina wildfire victims
Nearly 100 people paddled out Saturday at Cove Park in Kīhei to honor the memories of the victims of the Lahaina fire. The event was the first of several planned on Maui in the coming days.
Maui Humane Society accesses Lahaina burn zone in effort to find live animals
Maui County officials permitted the Maui Humane Society to access the Lahaina burn zone on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26, in a coordinated search and rescue effort to find live animals.
Maui attorney convenes legal experts for in-person presentation on the Lahaina wildfire disaster
The three firms filed a lawsuit on Aug. 17 alleging that the fire started when the electrical infrastructure and power lines came into contact with vegetation.
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council: Lahaina recovery update, land care webinar
The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is asking for support from the community as the nonprofit continues to work with partner agencies on Maui to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Maui wildfire disaster updates for Aug. 27: More than 11K register for FEMA assistance; 20 hotel shelters housing displaced residents
Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 27 are posted HERE. To date, 11,010 FEMA assistance registrations have been received, with some $14.6 million in federal housing and individual assistance provided.
Teenager starts ‘Give Aloha’ to raise funds, provide hope to Maui fire survivors
Teenager Chanel Higa knows what it is like to lose everything, and be supported, so ever since she has been giving back and now has started “Give Aloha” for Maui fire survivors.
Update: Police investigate shooting in Kīhei, one man dead
South Kīhei Road is closed from Uwapo Road to Leilani Road. The area north of Uwapo to Kīhei is now open. The area south of Uwapo, remains closed. Police closed the area due to an investigation into a possible shooting. The initial closure went into effect at 4:40 a.m., on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.
Updated: Remembering the many lost lives of the Lahaina fire
Almost every day, more names are released by the Maui Police Department of people who died in the fire — 40 so far. We honor their memory.
Maui police identify two more victims of Lahaina fire
On Saturday, the Maui Police Department released the names of two more Lahaina residents who died in the deadly Aug. 8 fire: 75-year-old Pablo Pagdilao III and 59-year-old Coleen Jones.
UPDATE: Kāʻanapali brush fire 90% contained; Hawaiian Electric reports power restored to all customers
Firefighters on-scene continue to reinforce containment lines. As of 5 p.m., the evacuation order was lifted and residents were free to return home.
Kupu, Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation launch 2023-24 Hawai‘i Youth Sustainability Challenge
Kupu and Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation have started the application process for the Hawai‘i Youth Sustainability Challenge, inviting students in grades 9-12 statewide to create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges in their schools and communities.
Frequently asked questions about FEMA disaster assistance
For Maui residents who were affected by the wildfires that began on Aug. 8, FEMA has answers to frequently asked questions.
