Maui News

The Internal Revenue Service announced today, victims of wildfires in parts of Hawaiʻi that began on Aug. 8, 2023, now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 21: HERE. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit Maui today, to observe the impact of the Maui fires and join the state in mourning the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred across the island, as well as to discuss next steps in the recovery efforts. While on the ground, the President, First Lady, and Governor Josh Green, M.D., will meet with first responders, survivors, and federal, state and local officials.

The number of confirmed fatalities remained at 114 souls this weekend. Maui police have identified five more individuals publicly today, following notification of next of kin, bringing the number of public ID confirmations to 11.

As of Sunday morning, Aug. 20, approximately 1,800 individuals are reported to be sheltered at six hotel locations around Maui, with the American Red Cross and volunteers assisting with the transition from congregate shelters to hotels. Displaced individuals still at congregate shelters has dwindled to just 16 people.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center on Maui alongside their operating manager, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, and the portfolio’s 21 retail properties across the nation, have come together to raise awareness and support for those affected by Maui’s wildfires.  

Even with protective measures in place, runoff from heavy rains could still result in dangerous ocean water quality conditions along shoreline areas between Kāʻanapali and Olowalu Landing. Landscapes that have been severely impacted by wildfires are also at heightened risk for flooding during periods of heavy rain, as vegetation that would typically absorb rainfall has been burned away, increasing the possibility of flash flooding or mudslides. 

Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura shares details regarding wildfire response to the deadly fire in Lahaina that started on Aug. 8, 2023.

Nearly $40,000 was raised on Saturday at the Lahaina Keiki Relief Fund Concert at Nalu’s South Shore Grill in Kīhei.

With many travelers leaving West Maui amid the disastrous wildfires first reported on Aug. 8, the overflow of rental vehicles are piling up again around the Kahului Airport. This time around, government leaders are choosing their words carefully to prevent unwanted economic impacts for the rest of the island and the state.

Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services and Maui Bus ADA Paratransit buses will resume trips to, from and within West Maui beginning Tuesday, Aug. 22.

The coordinated donation management center will receive, sort and inventory donations collected for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires and store them until they are ready to be transported and received on Maui.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 20 are available HERE. The public is reminded that the Lahaina Gateway distribution center for food, water and supplies, and the Wailuku Donation Center at the Queen Kaʻahumanu shopping center are closed on Sunday, Aug. 20. Both will resume operations on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.

Dean Uyeno, a 25-year-long staffer with the Commission on Water Resource Management, has been assigned on a temporary basis as the interim Water Deputy with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Eleven days after the fire raged through Lahaina, recovery and other emergency response operators have been instructed on Saturday to report any stray animal sightings to the Maui County Emergency Operations Center.

Maui Health will host a toy drive on Sunday for employees and providers who lost their homes and personal belongings in the fires.

The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United encourages all food producers impacted by fire, severe winds and loss of markets due to the 2023 Maui fires and disaster to complete the Maui Producer Impact & Support Survey.

Kaiser Permanente will permanently close two mobile first aid stations on Sunday: at the War Memorial Gym at 8 a.m. and and Nāpili Plaza at 4 p.m.

Today, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has opened the Maui Relief Storage Facility, a coordinated donation management center on Oʻahu to receive, sort and inventory donations collected for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires and store them until they are ready to be transported and received on Maui.

The Maui County Department of Environmental Management is offering mobile waste and hygiene facilities to support grassroots resource locations.

As Hurricane Hilary moves toward California, the FEMA administrator said no FEMA personnel responding to Maui recovery efforts would be relocated to the mainland.