Latest Fire Recovery News

“We are balancing the need for prompt action with the need to ensure the County of Maui retains a strong financial standing, and we look forward to scrutinizing the mayor’s proposal,” said Council Chair Alice Lee.

Tools used to trap ash and debris and filter out potential contaminants before they entered the storm drain system proved helpful, according to the Department of Public Works.

The lawmakers’ request for would help to alleviate burdens, providing thousands of students across the island with access to healthy, nutritious meals at no cost to their families as they deal with post-wildfire impacts.

The US Environmental Protection Agency today reports it has completed its work under Phase 1 of the federal response to the wildfires in Lahaina and the Upcountry Maui communities.

Hawai‘i Community Foundation and grassroots organization Tagnawa announced funding support committed to redefining disaster response for Lahaina’s Filipino community affected by the Maui wildfires.

The Kahului Disaster Recovery Center at Maui College is suspending operations Wednesday, Nov. 29, because the forecast shows locally heavy rains, thunderstorms and possible flooding over the next three days. 

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will hold a community meeting to discuss proposed actions for tourism in support of Maui’s recovery. The meeting will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall on Monday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Mayor Richard Bissen submitted to the County Council a bill to amend a section of the County Code in an effort to immediately increase the inventory of housing available to survivors of the August wildfires.

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents beginning Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, for Zones 11B, 11D, 11E, 11F and 13D. Those with vehicle passes will be granted access from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

Families in Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island who were affected by wildfires can access support through the Maui Relief TANF Program.

The weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meetings for Kula residents at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and for Lahaina residents at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays are canceled this week due to the kona low weather forecast.

Subpoenas have been served upon the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County of Maui Department of Public Works, and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply. The timeline for the release of the Phase 1 findings is dependent on the Fire Safety Research Institute gaining access to all facts before completing Phase 1.

Sentry Insurance today announced a new $1 million donation to Maui United Way to provide mental health resources to children who have lived through Maui’s wildfires. The donation adds to Sentry’s previous $1 million in contributions to aid wildfire recovery efforts.

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 27-28, in Zones 11C and 12B.

Council member Gabe Johnson expressed his support Wednesday for the Lahaina Strong Hui, which is currently calling for action from State and County administrations to address the urgent sheltering crisis in Lahaina caused by the Aug. 8 wildfires. 

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, in Zone 6D. This includes portions of Limahana Circle.

As government leaders are tasked with meeting the critical need for housing in the wake of the August wildfires on Maui, one suggestion has drawn particular interest. For Maui resident, Matt Jachowski, there’s only one answer: utilizing short-term rentals and second homes while seeking federal and philanthropic dollars to fill the rent gap.

As Hawaiʻi grapples with a surge in wildfires threatening communities and ecosystems, bipartisan efforts are underway to introduce legislation to tackle prevention and preparedness.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, County of Maui, and the Federal Highway Administration is installing an emergency stormwater capture system in Lahaina to reduce the environmental impact from silt, ash and other disaster debris potentially entering storm drainage systems.

The Department of Water Supply amended the Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina to remove areas L-3A and L-3B. Water serving buildings and homes in areas L-3A and L-3B is declared safe for unrestricted use effective Nov. 20, 2023. Community members can search an address using the interactive Water Advisory Map to confirm if their address is outside or within the advisory area.