Fire Survivor Resources

The team has collected water samples from Kula and Lahaina that are being tested for contaminants in labs on Maui and Oʻahu. Ten samples had been tested as of Aug. 27 and about 60 more are headed to the labs.

Doctors On Call Urgent Care and Walk-In Centers announced the addition of Dr. Vince Fussell to its staff on Maui. Dr. Fussell is a Family Practitioner and Urgent Care Specialist who will be seeing Maui patients and families immediately at both the Times Market West Maui Doctors On Call location as well as the Kīhei/Wailea DOC offices at the Shops at Wailea.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education will begin free bus service on Thursday, Sept. 14, for Lahainaluna High students to their temporary school site at the Kūlanihākoʻi High School campus in Kīhei.

The presence of toluene was detected after the Upper Kula Wildfire in August of 2023. This strongly suggests its presence was an artifact of the wildfire impacting the surface water source for the Upper Kula Treatment Plant, according to the DOH. Further monitoring is planned by MDWS at the Upper Kula Treatment Plant.

The US Department of Agriculture announced that households impacted by wildfires in Hawaiʻi could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. This step was taken to ensure those in need who were impacted by the Hawaiʻi wildfires have food to eat.

As Maui residents prepare to repair, rebuild and retrofit their homes after the Aug. 8 wildfires, FEMA has teamed up with the Home Depot in Kahului to provide free information and tips on how to make homes stronger and safer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,300 cancer survivors and current cancer patients were living in the areas of Maui affected by the wildfires. To help patients deal with trauma and loss caused by their cancer diagnosis and the devastation of the fires, ACS is teaming up with Maui Cancer Resources to offer group therapy sessions.

The goal is to help as many families as possible rebuild their photo collections and create some smiles, laughter and normalcy after tragedy.  The project currently has six photographers signed up to provide services, with more joining each day.

As of today, $83.78 million in federal assistance has been approved for more than 5,090 households. This includes housing and other needs assistance and Small Business Association disaster loans. There were 7,282 people housed at 32 locations around Maui, in coordination with the American Red Cross. The EPA has completed removal of hazardous material at 433 properties in total. 

Maui Cancer Resources and the American Cancer Society have partnered to launch a series of six monthly workshops, primarily focused on healing trauma and loss, in support of Maui cancer patients impacted by the devastating wildfires.

US Environmental Protection Agency incident commander Steve Calanog said, “We know the long rich and historic cultural significance of Lahaina. We have 25 cultural observers on our team to ensure that we proceed with respect.”

Anyone who wishes to begin using the American Red Cross’ non-congregate sheltering program, which offers lodging in hotels and other properties rather than group shelters, must sign up no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Those who already have signed up will continue to receive shelter and services through the program as long as they are eligible.

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.

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.

The Family Assistance Center, currently located at the Hyatt Kāʻanapali Monarchy ballroom, will move to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway) on Saturday, Sept. 9. 

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.

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.

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.

Hawaiʻi residents who registered for FEMA assistance for the wildfires that began sweeping across Maui Aug. 8 will receive a determination letter from FEMA. In some cases, the letter may say you are ineligible for assistance. FEMA advises that this is not a denial.

Spanish- and Filipino-speaking individuals seeking to report missing people from the Lahaina wildfire can receive assistance from Maui Economic Opportunity language specialists from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.