Latest Fire Recovery News
The Salvation Army pivots to long-term recovery on Maui
Activated from the first moments of the Maui fires on Aug. 8, 2023, The Salvation Army has prepared 55,303 meals and coordinated a total of 352,597 meals through local and nonprofit partnerships at 39 feeding locations during the initial phase of the relief effort.
Kaiser continues to offer services at Nāpili Park, Royal Lahaina Hotel and Hyatt Regency
Kaiser Permanente now has two mobile health vehicles (at Nāpili Park and the Royal Lahaina Hotel) and one first aid station (at the Hyatt Regency Maui) providing care on Maui.
Restrictions lifted at Lahaina Gateway and Walgreens parcels in West Maui
County of Maui restrictions, triggered by fire evacuation orders Aug. 8, were lifted on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, for two West Maui parcels: Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St., and Walgreens, 342 Keawe St.
Gov. Green encourages wildfire survivors to check policies for vehicle loss
Governor Josh Green, M.D. is announcing a vehicle replacement program for survivors of the Maui wildfire disaster, as an option toward recovery. The governor has worked with Avis Budget Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Hertz to make additional vehicles available for purchase. Interested individuals can visit https://Hertzcarsales.com, or for Avis Budget or Enterprise, reach out to any local Maui automobile dealership for more details.
One more Lahaina wildfire disaster victim identified Tuesday, bringing the total to 55
The Maui Police Department released the name of another victim from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Louise Abihai, 97, of Lahaina.
Solar shower bags available today for Upcountry residents in Unsafe Water Advisory areas
Upcountry Strong is distributing one solar bag per household member while supplies last at its headquarters located at the Pukalani Terrace Shopping Center. The location is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Hawaiian Electric suspends disconnections for all Maui customers through Oct. 17
Hawaiian Electric has suspended service disconnections so all Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about their electric service.
Maui wildfire recovery: Resources and updates for Sept. 5
There are 115 confirmed fatalities with 54 individuals now identified publicly following notification of next of kin. EPA has completed work in Kula and has completed removal of hazardous material at 268 properties in total, which is roughly 15% of the total number of properties. Food and supplies will be distributed to West Maui residents at Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St.: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6. The selection and quantity of items will be reduced in preparation for a move to a new location at Kahana Gateway, 4405 Lower Honoapiʻilani Road. On-site mobile health vehicle.On-site mobile health vehicle.
Paramedics concerned about quality of care under new ambulance contract on Maui and Kauaʻi
Advocates of the current service say “flaws” in the new contract would diminish the Emergency Medical Services systems, and called the diminished standards “grossly irresponsible,” “negligent” and “profoundly hurtful” in the wake of the worst mass casualty in Hawaiʻi’s modern history.
EPA completes work on 197 parcels to remove hazardous materials
The US Environmental Protection Agency has completed work on 197 parcels as part of Phase 1, to remove hazardous material, including large pieces of asbestos, from the 5-square-mile burned area from the Lahaina fire.
Restriction lifted for late night access to Lahaina via Honoapiʻilani Highway
Restrictions for late-night vehicular access into West Maui via Honoapiʻilani Highway have been lifted. The Maui Police Department will continue to cite and tow vehicles parked at the Lahaina Bypass, where no-parking signs are posted.
27 days later, the Lahaina fire is now 100% contained
The destructive fire in Lahaina that started 27 days ago on Aug. 8, 2023, is now 100% contained according to an update issued by the County of Maui.
Power restored for some businesses in West Maui; Temporary poles aid in restoration
As the Maui community discusses what the future of its energy delivery system will look like, overhead poles are being used as an interim solution in order for customers in Lahaina to safely receive electricity.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tours Lahaina; pledges help to rebuild — and an investigation
On Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy toured ravaged Lahaina — a place he has visited several times while on family vacations — and was moved by the “sheer devastation.”
EPA workers finding many batteries during hazardous material cleanup of Lahaina burned area
The US Environmental Protection Agency has been working since Aug. 29 to remove hazardous material, including large pieces of asbestos, from the 5-square-mile burned area from the Lahaina fire. Crews are finding a lot of batteries.
Mission set up to remove fire caused marine debris, destroyed vessels from Lahaina Harbor, waterways
Unified Command for the Lahaina fire in West Maui has established a mission to assess, remove and dispose of hazardous materials, oil discharges, marine debris and sunken or displaced vessels from Lahaina Harbor and waterways.
Hawaiʻi congressional delegation urges immigration support to those impacted by wildfires
Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, along with House Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, have called on US Citizenship and Immigration Services to expand efforts in aiding immigrant community members impacted by the Maui wildfires.
MPD Chief Pelletier: “Not just on the 8th, but each day since… we have countless heroes”
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier discussed the department’s response to the devastating wildfire in Lahaina on Aug. 8 that left a burn scar covering 2,170 acres, destroyed more than 2,200 structures in its path, and claimed at least 115 lives.
Hawaiʻi congressional delegation calls prompt additional request for $4B in supplemental disaster relief
President Joe Biden sent an updated request to Congress to increase the supplemental Disaster Relief Fund by $4 billion, bringing the new request total to $16 billion. Congress is set to consider the funding request In the coming weeks.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority board approves $2.6M for Maui Marketing Recovery Plan
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board of Directors took decisive action at its monthly board meeting Thursday to approve $2.6 million in funding to launch the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan. The plan is centered around a new Mālama Maui campaign and prioritizes rebuilding travel demand from the United States market to Maui in the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfires.
