Latest Fire Recovery News

Maui Tropix Surf Co. raised and donated $100,000 to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. The funds will go towards ongoing wildfire relief and recovery following the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

Elected officials will hear from federal and local witnesses as it looks into whether the government followed the lessons it learned from other disasters.

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced a $2.128 million grant to the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. The total award amount comprises $1 million from HCF’s Maui Strong Fund and $1.128 million donated by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. The new trucks will have the ability to drive off-pavement, allowing crews to better reach wildfires early and prevent them from spreading.

Executive director of HomeAid Hawaiʻi, Kimo Carvalho, will be the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset meeting on Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024. Carvalho will share information about Ka La‘i Ola: A HomeAid Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Development Program for Maui wildfire survivors.

Recipients of the “Rising Phoenix” awards, honoring members of Maui Rotary Clubs for their exceptional contributions to the fire relief efforts included: Leah Harbottle, Mariko Higashi, Wendy Hornack, Liz May, Joanne Laird, Ann Neizman, and Soakai Taufa.

A collaboration between AES Hawaiʻi, Young Brothers and Goodfellow Bros. has resulted in the donation of 212 solar panels to the nonprofit Made in Hope Hui Homes program for emergency housing of families displaced by the Maui wildfires.  AES Hawai‘i provided the solar panels, Young Brothers shipped them from Hawai‘i Island to Maui, and Goodfellow Bros. coordinated the […]

Second Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill granted a motion on Friday to allow the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to determine whether or not insurers can interfere with the historic $4.037 billion global settlement for plaintiffs in the Maui Wildfires Cases. The findings by the higher court could either provide more clarity on the role of insurers seeking to recoup money from payouts; or, if it does not reach a resolution in nine months, the settlement could be terminated.

With residential debris removal nearly 100% complete in these areas, opening of the Wahikuli and Māla neighborhoods in Lahaina is set for Tuesday, Sept. 3, at noon. The opening includes zones 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C, allowing clear access for residents, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency. As these zones reopen, security checkpoints will be reallocated to other areas in the Lahaina Impact Zone.

The Rotary District 5000, consisting of 53 Rotary clubs spread across four islands, hosts a Maui fire disaster recovery update via Zoom at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded an additional $7.9 million in funding to the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services to expand the state’s Disaster Case Management Program. This additional funding will enable the program to expand its current reach by more than double, capable of serving approximately 3,000 households. 

The meeting will include the status of debris clearing by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Building code compliance will be discussed. Hawaiʻi Community Foundation will provide an update on recovery efforts supported through the Maui Strong Fund, and representatives of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will share information on its kickoff of the Lahaina Energy Project with partners Lahaina Strong, Shake Energy Collaborative, and Hā Sustainability. 

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with federal, state, and local partners, announced that debris removal on the last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina is underway. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Personal Property Debris Removal Program, as all residential properties will be cleared months ahead of the original January 2025 deadline—a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the teams involved.

Lahaina homeowners impacted by the August 2023 wildfire are encouraged to attend the County of Maui Office of Recovery’s Homeowners Webinar on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

The LahainaTown Action Committee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development will host their next Kōkua for Maui Shop Local and Show Aloha event on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. This special event brings together the community and visitors in support of Lahaina’s resilient local businesses.

Volunteer LeCamieann Shiffler, whom one swim coach called “an angel” who dropped out of the sky, has spearheaded the effort to cleanup the fire debris from the popular pool so it can reopen for the community.

In an effort to mitigate future wildfire events, two of Maui’s first wildfire detection cameras have recently been deployed in Upper Kula, where 20 homes and 300 acres were lost during last year’s wildfires on Aug. 8.  

Hui O Ka Wai Ola released a new report on coastal water quality at dozens of locations from Honolua Bay to ‘Āhihi-Kīna’u Natural Area Reserve. The report summarizes changes—both improvements and declines—in water quality over eight years of data collection and confirms that measurements at sites in the Lahaina area remain within normal ranges.

Student artwork that had adorned 1,000 lineal feet of mesh barrier fencing in Lahaina was removed last week to make way for a sewerline project supporting interim housing units and 29 homes on Fleming Road, the County of Maui announced. The artwork has been placed in storage for future use, including an installation at the Lahaina Civic Center later this year.

The County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety announced the recent launch of new fire-sensing technology that samples the air and uses AI to provide early warning of fires that may start in parts of Maui.

The Realtors Association of Maui members recently received the 2024 Nate Ellis Award by Inman, for their community service and support within the industry. The award recognized RAM members for their commitment and contributions to the community in the aftermath of Maui’s devastating wildfires.