Maui News

Aloha Pacific, HawaiʻiUSA, and Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Unions have partnered to gather essential supplies for Maui community members affected by the recent natural disaster, accepting donations of various items at select Oʻahu branch locations.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 23 are posted HERE. Today, consolidation is underway at county-run distribution supply sites. The phased reopening of King Kekaulike High School is underway. Eight more people have been identified out of the 115 confirmed dead; and more than 1,000 remain unaccounted for. A second mobile substation has been energized in Lahaina, with 1,800 still without power.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services reminds the public that the Airbnb registration will continue Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 through Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at the Lahaina Gateway Center. The registration area is located next to the Kaiser Permanente tents.

Two weeks after the fast moving fire burned down much of Lahaina, the death toll is at 115; the remains that have been identified is at 43; and the number of “unaccounted for” is between 1,000 and 1,100, according to officials.

Staff at all four public schools in Lahaina will remain on paid administrative leave through Friday, Aug. 25 as clean up and safety assessments continue at Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High.

County of Maui-facilitated distribution sites will be transitioning locations, times, days and focus, according to an announcement released on Tuesday evening. The sites offer food, water and supplies to people impacted by Maui wildfires. 

Maui police on Tuesday evening confirmed the identity of eight more individuals as victims of the Lahaina wildfire disaster. To date, police have identified a total of 21 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin.

County and federal officials joined in discussing the process involved in accounting for individuals who have been reporting missing, as well as the process involved in identifying remains recovered in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire disaster. *View the full press conference at our Maui Now Facebook page.

The recent wildfire crisis has caused some Maui patients to be left without medication, medical supplies, and access to cancer treatment as well as food, clean water and shelter.

Dozens of wellness providers, such as massage therapists and counselors, have volunteered their services for a free community pop-up clinic this Friday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 26. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the parking lot outside of Maui Ocean Center. The two-day clinic will be followed by free admission to Maui Ocean Center for kamaʻāina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) this Sunday, Aug. 27.

The County of Maui is urging residents in a number of Upcountry areas, including Upper Kula and Kēōkea, to stop using tap water, effective immediately, while an unsafe water advisory remains in effect. Several structures in the Upper Kula area were destroyed by the Kula wildfire, causing the water system in the area to lose pressure. The loss of pressure may have allowed harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals, to enter the water system.

Heavy rainfall after a wildfire can greatly increase the risks of other dangers such as flash floods, debris flows, landslides and rockfalls. DOH reminds the public to avoid storm drainage and natural drainage channels due to rapid flowing waters.

In the 24 hours since the broadcast of  “Maui Ola: A Benefit Concert for Maui,” donation portals, including Maui United Way, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Hawaiʻi People’s Fund and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, received nearly $1M in donations toward Maui aid.

The number of missing and unaccounted for individuals on Maui has been narrowed from the thousands of names first compiled in the wake of the deadly Lahaina fire on August 8. According to Mayor Bissen,the list of missing persons still unaccounted for has been narrowed to 850 individuals.  

In the aftermath of the catastrophic wildfires that swept through Maui, a community-driven collaboration between Pacific Impact Zone, SMX, and the Maui Tech Hui worked to rapidly deploy satellite internet connectivity at key locations in West Maui.

The objective of HHFDCʻs Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Program is: Connect those with available living arrangements with displaced residents. While it is hoped that property owners will charge minimal or no rent, it is up to the owners and residents to agree on rents and other terms as part of standard rental agreements.

View photo galleries of the presidential visit to Lahaina Maui. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Maui on Monday to assess the damage of the wildfire disaster area in Lahaina and meet with survivors and first responders who were impacted by the fires.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 22 are posted HERE.

President Joe Biden drew applause at the Lahaina Civic Center when he told about 400 survivors of the fire: “We’re gonna build back better. Better than you had. But what YOU want. What YOU need.”

During a press conference Monday, Green said they would share when people could return to visit West Maui. As of right now, only returning residents and authorized emergency relief workers should come.