Latest Fire Recovery News

The Maui Business Bridge Grant that provides financial support to businesses directly or indirectly impacted by the August wildfires began accepting applications today, Nov. 13, with Maui Economic Opportunity working with establishments of $300,000 in gross revenue or less.

This Maui Business Bridge Grant program is now accepting applications. The purpose of this grant program is to support Maui-based businesses that have been directly or indirectly impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023 Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires.

The West Maui organizations are demanding long-term housing solutions for people displaced by the Lahaina fire.

“Although we are fortunate to have several relief fleet… we’re still in our drought season. We still are averaging about 60 wildfires a month, and so this truck will be going to work pretty quickly here… It will not lay unused,” said Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura.

The US Army Corps of Engineers received a $1.9 million Federal Emergency Management Agency mission assignment Oct. 28 to provide conceptual design for temporary housing sites.

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, Nov. 13 and Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Zones 8C and 9C.

Maui County has closed the job applications for administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, and will begin the selection process from 15 candidates.

Children and staff of Princess Nahiʻenaʻena Elementary School and Kamehameha III Elementary were treated to a Lahaina Toy Surprise and Delight event on Wednesday. The event aimed to bring joy to families impacted by the Lahaina wildfires and create a Winter Wonderland filled with surprises and delights for students and staff.

A community meeting to discuss ongoing wildfire debris removal and recovery efforts will be held tonight, Thursday, Nov. 9 in Makawao.  The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mayor Eddie Tam Complex Community Center, located at 931 Makawao Avenue. 

The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance has been extended another 30 days, meaning homeowners and renters with uninsured or underinsured damage to their property from the Maui wildfires have until Saturday, Dec. 9, to apply.  This is also the deadline for Maui’s homeowners, renters and businesses to apply to the US Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan for physical property damage.

On Tuesday, contractors removed debris from a private property in Kula, marking the start of Phase 2 of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ debris removal program for Upcountry residents affected by the Aug. 8, wildfires.

A new recovery fund which will exceed $150 million, will distribute money to families of those who died, and to those who suffered severe personal injuries in the Maui wildfires.

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least Jan. 5, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about potential disconnection of their electric service.

Officials with the US Army Corps of Engineers tell Maui Now that the $53.7 million base contract covers all the utilities, terracing, installation of the modular facilities and the first 6 months of leasing the buildings.

The Maui County Council will hold a special council meeting Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. to consider Bill 114, which seeks to: fund the new Office of Recovery; and add new conditional language for a Lahaina Wildfire Final Disposition site in Olowalu.

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, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11, in Zones 9E and 10E.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today signed the Eighth Emergency Proclamation on Wildfires to continue state support for the recovery of the people of Maui.

In response to the wildfires, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has been on Maui since August to help the community with its insurance questions.  A representative will continue to be available for in-person assistance at the Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. 

Three hundred jobs for impacted workers are available through the DLIR Workforce Development Division and Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. to assist with debris removal, damage cleanup and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

“We have come today to lament with you, to mourn with you, and to grieve with you,” Bishop Silva said in his homily, standing next to rows of flickering candles; each representing a loved one lost in the devastating Lahaina wildfire on Aug. 8.