The Hawaiʻi Workers Center, a grassroots organization focused on the well-being of workers held a press conference in Lahaina last week in the hopes of tackling housing issues impacting wildfire survivors.

Today marks the first day that wildfire survivors can apply for the One ‘Ohana Fund. The fund is for survivors who lost loved ones and survivors who suffered severe injuries and were hospitalized as a result of the disaster.

Local residents and organizations are invited to participate in an event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. This event aims to match individuals in need of temporary or permanent housing with state, federal and local organizations assisting individuals and families in need of housing support.

A bill that seeks to establish a nine-member Lele Community District Board to facilitate rebuilding decisions for the post-wildfire Lahaina area of West Maui, is scheduled for key committee decision making on Wednesday.

The County of Maui Office of Recovery invites residents to participate in an online feedback activity on its recently launched Ola Lahaina page, a hub for online community engagement for Lahaina’s wildfire recovery efforts. The feedback activity will be available through March 15, 2024, and can be found at https://mauirecovers.org/lahaina. 

Gov. Josh Green, M.D. announced details surrounding the planned launch of the One ‘Ohana Fund on March 1, and provided a housing update for wildfire survivors. While earlier this month, the governor said a moratorium would “not likely” be needed during his six month update, he revisited the idea today.

A last call is going out for applicants to a program launched by the J. Walter Cameron Center last year to provide laptop computers to families that lost their belongings in the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaiʻi and Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi will offer free, in-person help for people affected by the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires.

Jump Ship Lahaina, the newest and only CrossFit gym in West Maui, will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, March 1, at 4:30 p.m. Situated in West Maui, the gym extends an open invitation to the community to explore the facility, meet the passionate coaching team, and sign up for a complimentary introductory class.

More than 2,700 people over a two-week period participated in County of Maui surveys on proposed Permanent Disposal Sites for Lahaina wildfire ash and debris. March 1 is the target date for selecting the Permanent Disposal Site.

The County of Maui announces an informational workshop aimed at assisting owners whose properties were destroyed in the August wildfires, and who have not signed up for government-assisted clean-up.

The first Ambient Community Air Sampling Reports for Lahaina, issued by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, confirm good ambient air quality for the period of Jan. 13-24, 2024. 

The Department of Water Supply amended the Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina to remove areas L-4A mauka of the Honoapiʻilani Highway and south of Kahoma Stream, and L-4E near Puʻunoa Point.

Needs identified in the Kula assessment survey included expedited permitting, insurance, mental health, health of neighbors not directly affected by the fires, soil testing and watershed health.

State officials are urging Maui wildfire survivors to be vigilant when choosing a contractor for rebuilding and repair projects.

Starting Monday, Feb. 12, a new system will take effect to allow private property contractors to access the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster zone for rebuilding, while keeping the area safe during debris removal, officials announced.

Maui Humane Society will open its new Lahaina Pet Resource Center on Feb. 7, 2024, following a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony at 11 a.m. A mobile veterinary clinic event will be held following the ceremony, offering free wellness services to pets affected by the fire.

Kaiser Permanente forecasts an opening as early as mid-March for a temporary West Maui clinic at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kāʻanapali.

The Red Cross today announced the daily feeding program will come to an end on Feb. 10, 2024 for Lahaina wildfire survivors residing in condominiums with kitchens as part of the non-congregate sheltering program. While daily feeding will no longer be included for the specified group, the Red Cross announced a new partnership with Maui Food Bank that supports the establishment of a fixed food hub on the West side and the launch of a mobile food pantry service to supplement household food needs.

The community is encouraged to learn more about the status and process of selecting a Permanent Disposal Site for ash and debris from the Lahaina wildfire at the County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Lahaina Civic Center.