Fire Survivor Resources

Applications for the Maui Relief TANF program, which could cover housing, auto, clothing and utility expenses for families with children impacted by the August wildfires, will be accepted at a Maui Economic Opportunity outreach event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, at the Lahaina Civic Center.

The US Department of Health and Human Services and FEMA have approved crisis counseling services to assist those grappling with emotional distress or mental health issues following the Maui wildfires.

The US Small Business Administration has launched a Business Resource and Assessment Center in Kīhei’s Maui Research and Technical Center, offering information and assistance for those looking to start, relaunch, or expand a small business.

In partnership with the state Department of Human Services, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. is administering the Maui Relief TANF Program that will provide help with housing, auto and utility payments and other expenses for income-eligible families with children who were directly impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires.

Families who have been impacted by the Maui fires—whether on Maui or having recently relocated due to the fires—must apply by Oct. 31 to get assistance under these temporary rules. DHS encourages impacted families to apply today.

Kaiser Permanente will host an additional two, no-cost Parenting After Tragedy classes to help parents understand and address the emotional and psychological needs of their keiki following the devastating Maui wildfires.

Council member Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins announced that the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet at Lahaina Civic Center on Wednesday at 5 p.m., to receive testimony on a resolution for a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August wildfires.

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, Oct. 23 and Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Zones 13A, 13B and 13C.

Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura (Upcountry residency District)  and Presiding Officer Pro Tempore Tasha Kama (Kahului residency district) today announced they will host a wildfire relief “Resources for Religious Leaders” informational meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon at the UH Maui College Pilina Building Events Center.

The nonprofit Hawaiʻi Land Trust has received a more than $1.1 million grant from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund to create temporary workforce opportunities in partnership with KUPU for 48 Maui residents who have been affected by the recent wildfires. Applications are open through Nov. 17, 2023.

Workers and self-employed individuals, who temporarily or permanently lost their jobs due to the August wildfires and emergency declarations, will be eligible for paid disaster-relief positions and training through a program run by Maui Economic Opportunity.

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, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21, in Zone 14A and 14B. ZONE 14A includes a portion of Front St. ZONE 14B includes portions of: Aholo Rd., Front St., Kaeo Pl., Kahili Pl., Kamano Pl., Kua Pl., Ui Pl.

Lewis was moved by the Maui fires and visited Maui in September. She returns this week with “Hope & Healing” for Hawaiʻi and Maui schools. Lewis lost 6-year-old son Jesse Lewis at the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. 

Applications will begin to be accepted on Oct. 20 for a temporary financial assistance program that helps families with at least one dependent child who have been directly affected by the Maui fires.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has extended the deadline to Oct. 25 for private nonprofits and government organizations seeking public assistance funding for the Hawai‘i wildfire disaster.

Since the Maui wildfires of Aug. 8, more than $177 million in federal assistance has been approved for 6,210 households, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Three in-person meetings of the Maui Strong Support Group will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Nāpili. The meetings are hosted by Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaiʻi.

Disaster area restrictions will be lifted on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 9 and 10, for owners and residents of Zones 3A, 3B and 3C. This includes parts of Wahikuli, ʻĀinakea and Fleming roads

Homeowners and renters who were affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui now have until Thursday, Nov. 9, to apply for federal disaster assistance from FEMA and submit an application for a disaster loan from the US Small Business Administration. 

The Maui Economic Development Board, in partnership with the Principal Foundation, said 95 small businesses directly impacted by the Aug. 8 Lahaina and Upcountry wildfires each will receive $1,000 grants from the Maui Business Recovery Fund.