Latest Fire Recovery News
Eminent domain proposal for Central Maui Landfill expansion sent to Council committee
Maui County Council members were sharply divided Friday over a proposal to use Maui County’s condemnation power of eminent domain to obtain a nearly 20-acre former quarry next to the Central Maui Landfill for the final disposal of toxic Lahaina fire ash and debris.
Second Lahaina sign that was stolen has since been recovered and will be reinstalled
The second of two Lahaina Gateway signs that were stolen shortly after the August wildfires, was returned to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation on Friday. It was found cut into three pieces, but executives say they are able to piece the sign together and will reinstall it in West Maui.
Advanced wildfire detection sensors to be deployed in Maui’s high-risk areas
Early wildfire detection and wind sensors are on their way to Kīhei and Lahaina, public officials announced at a press conference in South Maui today.
Sacred Hearts begins work on new temporary school site; launches $4M tuition assistance campaign
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kāʻanapali for a secondary temporary school site for Sacred Hearts. Students have been attending classes at the Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua since their Lahaina campus next to Maria Lanakila Church was destroyed in the Aug. 8 wildfires.
Schatz joins colleagues in introducing bill to promote use of AI to predict, respond to extreme weather
The bill would direct key federal agencies to use AI tools to improve weather forecasting, crack down on illegal deforestation and optimize electrical grids.
Maui Office of Recovery announces interim housing projects for Lahaina wildfire survivors
Mayor Richard Bissen and officials from the County’s Office of Recovery announced temporary modular home group housing projects being planned in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Hawaiʻi and private developers to provide an estimated 4,000 interim housing units for wildfire survivors. The information was shared at the Disaster Recovery Community Update meeting held at the Lahaina Civic Center on Wednesday night.
Preliminary data shows impacts of wildfire on Lahaina coastal waters
Preliminary data on coastal water quality monitoring in West Maui was presented Wednesday at a public speaker series featuring Andrea Kealoha, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Oceanography at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Council reviews plans to convert Maui Sun, a former Kīhei hotel, into affordable housing
While thousands of wildfire survivors remain displaced, Maui County Council members heard Tuesday a proposal for the state to purchase the former 216-room Maui Sun Hotel property in central Kīhei and convert it into long-term affordable workforce housing and a public prekindergarten facility.
Maui TANF fire relief expanded to individuals, households without children
Individuals and households impacted by the Maui wildfires—including those without dependent children—may be eligible for Maui Relief TANF Program assistance with housing, car, utility, clothing and school supply payments in a major expansion of the program.
Maui interim housing plan to be discussed at Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting in Lahaina
The community is encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at the Lahaina Civic Center to hear about the County’s interim housing plan.
Gov. Green issues 10th Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., signed the 10th Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires, which contains amendments from previous versions aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing for Maui residents, especially those displaced due to the deadly wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023.
Maui County seeks owners of 21 unclaimed vehicles salvaged from Lahaina wildfire zone
The County of Maui is seeking the owners of 21 intact vehicles that were removed from the Lahaina wildfire disaster zone for debris cleanup progression. The vehicles were deemed salvageable based on their appearance of little to no visible outer damage to the vehicle, but the County makes no warranty regarding the condition of any of these vehicles.
Hawaiʻi Workers Center shines light on housing issues impacting some Lahaina wildfire survivors
The Hawaiʻi Workers Center, a grassroots organization focused on the well-being of workers held a press conference in Lahaina last week in the hopes of tackling housing issues impacting wildfire survivors.
Senate WAM Committee advances bills relating to wildfire recovery, economy, homelessness and housing
The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means passed out several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate, including bills to assist in wildfire recovery, agriculture, economic development, homelessness and housing.
Maui visitor arrivals down in January 2024; spending is up from 2019
“Locally, the Maui wildfires continued to impact visitors to Maui six months after the tragedy,” said Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Director James Kunane Tokioka. “Maui’s visitor counts decreased by 23.5% compared to January 2023, although there has been progress from August 2023 when visitor arrivals were down by 57.8%. With the active recovery efforts and campaigns, we hope to see continuous improvements over the upcoming months,” he said.
One ʻOhana Fund begins accepting applications; Governor weighs in on Maui wildfire legislation
Today marks the first day that wildfire survivors can apply for the One ‘Ohana Fund. The fund is for survivors who lost loved ones and survivors who suffered severe injuries and were hospitalized as a result of the disaster.
Temporary Housing Resource Fair for Lahaina wildfire survivors, March 2 at the Sheraton Maui
Local residents and organizations are invited to participate in an event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. This event aims to match individuals in need of temporary or permanent housing with state, federal and local organizations assisting individuals and families in need of housing support.
Central Maui Landfill chosen for final disposal of Lahaina wildfire debris
The Central Maui Landfill will be the final disposal site for an estimated 400,000 cubic yards of toxic ash and debris left in the aftermath of the Aug. 8 wildfire that leveled Lahaina Town.
Senate President Kouchi and Sen. Hashimoto of Maui request 1,000 permanent FEMA housing units on Maui
During their meeting, Kouchi and Hashimoto urged Ambassador Tai to recognize the unique situation that West Maui is in as it attempts to recover from the wildfire, and to advocate for the construction of 1,000 permanent FEMA-built housing units to house wildfire survivors.
Temporary Kamehameha III Elementary School campus transferred to DOE, set to open April 1
The US Army Corps of Engineers announced on Tuesday the successful installation and turnover of the newly constructed temporary campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary School students in Lahaina to the Hawai‘i State Department of Education.
