Latest Fire Recovery News

Before the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor and surrounding waterways can reopen, much work needs to be done including the removal of burned vessels.

“Today, we honor the precious lives lost. Today, we remember with gratitude the firefighters, police, paramedics and extraordinary citizens who put their own safety at risk to help their neighbors and strangers, exhibiting incredible courage and heroism in Kula, Olinda, Kīhei and Lahaina.” — Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in a video address on the one-month anniversary of the Maui wildfires.

Gov. Josh Greenʻs Seventh Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires welcomes the return of visitors to West Maui effective Oct. 8, fully restores the State Water Code, restores most historic preservation measures, and limits the prohibition of price increases to specific essential commodities.

A month after wildfires swept over the Island of Maui, more than $60 million in federal assistance has been approved for more than 5,000 households, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

While Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green announced Friday that West Maui would reopen to tourists on Oct. 8, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said the people in the community of West Maui should decide how that occurs.

The Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation released a new list of the names of unaccounted for individuals from the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina, saying the number has dropped to 66 as of Sept. 8.

Hundreds gathered in waters off of Ukumehame on Friday to reflect and unite during a Paddle Out for Lahaina event, held one month after wildfires swept through Maui.

Governor Josh Green today announced the reopening of West Maui on Oct. 8, as the state tries to balance economic survival, and the need for people to have jobs to help their families as they rebuild and recover.

Hawaiian Electric Company President and CEO Shelee Kimura provided an update on the one month mark since wildfires devastated the Lahaina and Upcountry communities on Maui.

Lahainaluna High School will begin a phased start for employees and students next week at its temporary school site at the Kūlanihākoʻi High School campus in Kīhei. Beginning Monday, Sept. 11, Lahainaluna teachers and staff will report to Kūlanihākoʻi High to meet, plan and prepare classrooms for the arrival of students, which is set for Sept. 14.

Paddle out events are planned on the one-month mark since Sept. 8, 2023. The first is at Kalama Park in Kīhei at 8 a.m. The event continues with a day of healing and togetherness through sunset. Another takes place at noon at Ukumehame in Lahaina. This event features a paddle out, boat line up and […]

A four-person team from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife continues to patrol the lines established in the forest reserve and on adjacent private ranch land to douse hot spots and smokers at the 1,000-acre Olinda fire.

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor marking one month since wildfires tore through Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. In her remarks, Senator Hirono spoke in remembrance of those who lost their lives, highlighted the Federal government’s robust response, and reiterated her commitment to fighting for the resources Maui County and the Lahaina community will need to recover from the devastation caused by the fires.

In response to community concerns about keeping jobs in Hawai‘i for local businesses and workers, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has pivoted its Hawaiian Trades Academy to focus on workforce development with the launch of its Maui Workforce Development Program. This program will provide free certification and job training courses to Maui residents beginning Sept. 15, 2023.  In-person instruction will be held at a new classroom space near CNHA’s Kākoʻo Maui Resource Hub at Maui Mall Village in Kahului.

The Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi has launched a “Luna Strong” fundraising campaign to assist the Lahainaluna student athletes and coaches who were displaced by last monthʻs fire. The fund was created through a request from the school’s athletic program, and has already collected $325,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to kick off the campaign.

A total of 88 transpacific flights were canceled in August, representing 23,083 air seats. The passenger count to Kahului Airport decreased by more than 70% after the wildfires from 7,000 a day to 2,000 a day. The loss from business closures and visitor expenditures is estimated to be $11 million a day on Maui since Aug. 9, 2023.

EPA has completed removal of hazardous material at 300 properties in total. Darryl Oliveira, interim administrator of Maui Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday shared an update on re-entry to Lahaina and announced the county’s new Maui Recovers website.

Maui Crime Stoppers is urging wildfire survivors on Maui to report any unsolicited offers to buy their property. The organization notes that this action is considered a crime.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, and Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto announced the establishment of six interim House working groups tasked with the crucial responsibility of evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action in the 2024 Legislative Session. Working groups will focus on: environmental remediation; food, water and other supplies; jobs and businesses; schools; shelter; and wildfire prevention.

A Filipino resource fair called “Hawak Kamay” (Hand-in-hand) is planned for Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center for individuals and families affected by the recent wildfires. The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi are coordinating the effort.