Latest Fire Recovery News

In the aftermath of the catastrophic wildfires that swept through Maui, a community-driven collaboration between Pacific Impact Zone, SMX, and the Maui Tech Hui worked to rapidly deploy satellite internet connectivity at key locations in West Maui.

View photo galleries of the presidential visit to Lahaina Maui. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Maui on Monday to assess the damage of the wildfire disaster area in Lahaina and meet with survivors and first responders who were impacted by the fires.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 22 are posted HERE.

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Maui Fires Relief Transition Housing program today was put on hold after committing all funds received to housing those displaced by the wildfires. The program matched those displaced by the fires to available rental units for up to six months.  

The Maui Interscholastic League announced plans to release a Fall Sports schedule in the near future, with tentative games for West Maui schools that have yet to reopen following the Aug. 8 devastating wildfires.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation shares that it will use the $3 million dollars in quick release Emergency Relief funding from the Federal Highway Administration for necessary work to maintain safe access to West Maui via Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) and the Lahaina Bypass.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education today launched a support hotline for families and staff of the four Lahaina public schools — Kamehameha III Elementary, Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High — impacted by the wildfires.

During a stop at the inundation zone, President Biden said, “I want you to know, that on behalf of the United States of America and all the nation, the American people stand with you… To my left is the banyan tree, beloved by this community for over 150 years. Here in the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, where it stood for generations as a sacred spot of exceptional significance.” “Today it is burned but it is still standing. The tree survived for a reason. I believe it’s a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis. For this, as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you. The whole country will be with you,” he said.

Bidding them farewell from Vancouver was First Nations Squamish elder Bob Baker, who spoke of living on Maui for 16 years and getting involved with Hawaiian canoe paddling and sailing through the late Pwo Navigator from Lahaina Chad Kalepa Baybayan and Hōkūleʻa veteran voyagers from Lahaina Snake Ah Hee and Archie Kalepa, both of whom survived the fires along with their families and their homes.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 21: HERE. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit Maui today, to observe the impact of the Maui fires and join the state in mourning the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred across the island, as well as to discuss next steps in the recovery efforts. While on the ground, the President, First Lady, and Governor Josh Green, M.D., will meet with first responders, survivors, and federal, state and local officials.

The number of confirmed fatalities remained at 114 souls this weekend. Maui police have identified five more individuals publicly today, following notification of next of kin, bringing the number of public ID confirmations to 11.

As of Sunday morning, Aug. 20, approximately 1,800 individuals are reported to be sheltered at six hotel locations around Maui, with the American Red Cross and volunteers assisting with the transition from congregate shelters to hotels. Displaced individuals still at congregate shelters has dwindled to just 16 people.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center on Maui alongside their operating manager, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, and the portfolio’s 21 retail properties across the nation, have come together to raise awareness and support for those affected by Maui’s wildfires.  

Even with protective measures in place, runoff from heavy rains could still result in dangerous ocean water quality conditions along shoreline areas between Kāʻanapali and Olowalu Landing. Landscapes that have been severely impacted by wildfires are also at heightened risk for flooding during periods of heavy rain, as vegetation that would typically absorb rainfall has been burned away, increasing the possibility of flash flooding or mudslides. 

Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura shares details regarding wildfire response to the deadly fire in Lahaina that started on Aug. 8, 2023.

With many travelers leaving West Maui amid the disastrous wildfires first reported on Aug. 8, the overflow of rental vehicles are piling up again around the Kahului Airport. This time around, government leaders are choosing their words carefully to prevent unwanted economic impacts for the rest of the island and the state.

Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services and Maui Bus ADA Paratransit buses will resume trips to, from and within West Maui beginning Tuesday, Aug. 22.

The coordinated donation management center will receive, sort and inventory donations collected for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires and store them until they are ready to be transported and received on Maui.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 20 are available HERE. The public is reminded that the Lahaina Gateway distribution center for food, water and supplies, and the Wailuku Donation Center at the Queen Kaʻahumanu shopping center are closed on Sunday, Aug. 20. Both will resume operations on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.

Eleven days after the fire raged through Lahaina, recovery and other emergency response operators have been instructed on Saturday to report any stray animal sightings to the Maui County Emergency Operations Center.