Fire Survivor Resources

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 14 through 16, 2023, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Kākoʻo Maui Relief and Aid Services office, which distributes county reentry vehicle passes, will move from Maui Mall Village to Maui Arts & Cultural Center. 

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.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed for Maui Wellness Group, LLC, dba Maui Grown Therapies after it passed its final on-site inspection for its fourth retail facility. Maui Grown Therapies’ new retail site is located at 1215 South Kīhei Road D-2 in Kīhei, and the company expects to begin sales on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

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.

Families with dependent children in their household, directly and indirectly impacted by the wildfires and earning less than 350% of the poverty level (which for a family of four is $120,750 annually) are eligible for the benefits.

The US Small Business Administration acts as a vital source for low-interest disaster loans for Maui wildfire survivors, covering losses not fully compensated by insurance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FEMA is announcing multiple job openings on Maui and Oʻahu that provide Hawaiʻi residents an opportunity to help their communities recover from the Maui wildfires and build resilience before, during and after disasters like this one. 

Children who lived through Maui’s wildfires may continue to feel trauma, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Behavioral experts say families can take steps to help children process their emotions and anxieties to help them heal.

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.

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. 6 and Tuesday, Nov. 7, in Zones 6E and 9D.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 2023 and continuing Wednesdays through Nov. 29, 2023, at Lahaina Civic Center, the four Disaster Recovery Community Update Meetings will be led by Oliveira, who will provide reentry updates, progress, schedule and common community questions.

The pin, named after the Hawaiian phrase “Mālama Maui,” signifying “Caring for Maui,” hopes to offer solace to residents while providing guidance for visitors. Its fundamental purpose is to establish a supportive environment for residents by offering a visual cue to visitors, signifying the importance of refraining from inquiring about the experiences of Maui residents, thus respecting their privacy.

The Federal Housing Administration has extended current foreclosure protections for borrowers in Maui County to assist those impacted by the August wildfires. Under the protection, mortgage servicers will be prohibited from initiating or completing foreclosure actions through May 6, 2024.

Maui wildfire survivors who received FEMA rental assistance should stay in contact with FEMA, as they may be eligible for extended assistance covering temporary housing and rental payments for up to 18 months.

The US Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers donated $75,000 to the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi for wildfire disaster legal assistance.