Latest Fire Recovery News

The State of Hawai‘i and the County of Maui have selected the US Army Corps of Engineers to lead efforts to remove fire-damaged debris from areas across Maui affected by historic wildfires that began on Aug. 8. 

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 29 are posted HERE. An estimated 11,010 FEMA assistance registrations have been received, with some $14.6 million in federal housing and individual assistance provided, according to the County of Maui. According to the governor, there are more than 6,000 people now being temporarily housed in hotels and Airbnb units.

“There will be no survivors that we will discover at this point,” said Gov. Green on Day 20 of recovery following the devastating wildfire in Lahaina. “The seven day mark was significant—that’s when the road opened. The 14 day mark was quite significant because that was the day that everyone got out of the [congregate] shelters. The 20 day mark is very significant, because as you’re hearing, essentially, the search and rescue, at least on land, is done.” Another milestone update is expected at the one month mark.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging owners of real property in Lahaina and Kula ZIP codes 96761, 96767 and 96790 to make formal reports of any unsolicited offers that were not asked for or requested to purchase an interest in that property.

Doctors On Call Urgent Care and Testing Center reopened on Aug. 28 at the Times Market Plaza in North Kaʻanapali/Honokōwai.

The funds allow the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide people with temporary jobs focused on cleaning up debris and repairing damage caused by the fires, and providing humanitarian assistance to the wildfire survivors.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 28 are posted HERE. The number of confirmed fatalities has remained at 115 for several days with 43 people publicly identified by police. 

The company outlined a list of factors related to the Aug. 8, 2023 events, saying that at around 3 p.m., “power lines in West Maui had been de-energized for more than six hours” when a second fire in the afternoon began in the same area—in a field near Lahaina Intermediate School.

Maui Fire Department and responders from other agencies welcomed home the department member who was injured on Aug. 8, fighting the fire in Lahaina. He had spent the last two weeks in the hospital on Oʻahu.

Maui County officials permitted the Maui Humane Society to access the Lahaina burn zone on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26, in a coordinated search and rescue effort to find live animals.

The three firms filed a lawsuit on Aug. 17 alleging that the fire started when the electrical infrastructure and power lines came into contact with vegetation.

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is asking for support from the community as the nonprofit continues to work with partner agencies on Maui to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 27 are posted HERE. To date, 11,010 FEMA assistance registrations have been received, with some $14.6 million in federal housing and individual assistance provided.

Firefighters on-scene continue to reinforce containment lines. As of 5 p.m., the evacuation order was lifted and residents were free to return home.

For Maui residents who were affected by the wildfires that began on Aug. 8, FEMA has answers to frequently asked questions.

As residents slowly begin the clean-up and rebuilding process following the Maui wildfires, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association urges caution when hiring a contractor or public adjuster to avoid losing insurance proceeds or getting caught in scams and other fraudulent activity.

Maui County Water Director John Stufflebean addressed Kula residents during an Aug. 25 meeting and explained what was being done and what would be done to provide clean, drinkable water for areas affected by the recent fires.

“Tulong means help in the Tagalog and Ilokano languages,” said organization President Melen Agcolicol, who will lead the coordination.  “And Binhi at Ani wanted to create a fund to help our kababayans, our fellow Filipinos, which comprise at least 40% of Lahaina town.”  

FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a one-month or two-month period and can be reviewed for additional assistance. 

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 25 are posted HERE. County officials released a list of 388 people  who have been reported as unaccounted for from the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire disaster.