#Amos Lonokailua-Hewett
Maui Emergency Management Agency lays out progress and plans for fiscal 2026
Maui County Council members heard about progress and plans for future needs Tuesday from the Maui Emergency Management Agency, now less than two years after the August 2023 wildfires disaster.
MEMA to launch new real-time evacuation notifications on Genasys Protect app
The platform — Genasys Protect — will allow Maui County users to view predetermined evacuation zones, track live statuses and receive real-time notifications through a mobile app. It is set to go live for public use on May 1, 2025.
Traditional hālau waʻa blessed in Mākena, honoring Hawaiian cultural practices
A newly constructed hālau waʻa, a traditional Hawaiian canoe house and learning space, was blessed on March 21 in Mākena.
Maui Emergency Management Agency, County departments prepare for winter storm
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is coordinating with other County of Maui departments, as well as state and non-governmental partners, to prepare for a strong winter storm that is approaching the state.
MEMA After-Action Report on Maui wildfires released
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett has released the agency’s After-Action Report on the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Maui Emergency Management Agency urges public to avoid restricted areas in Lahaina
The County’s Maui Emergency Management Agency is urging Lahaina residents and visitors to respect safety measures by avoiding restricted areas in Lahaina town.
Maui year in review: Top stories of 2024
Wildfire recovery, the cancellation of the Maui Fair, housing solutions, and election highlights are among the stories that made our list of top features this year. Here’s a recap of some of Maui’s biggest stories in 2024.
Genasys awarded 4-year contract for Maui evacuation planning, AI-powered traffic management, emergency alerts
The technology will be deployed across all islands in Maui County and will provide flexible evacuation zone planning, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered traffic modeling, multi-threat planning and modeling and an emergency alert mobile app.
Lahaina’s recovery plan calls for measures to improve emergency response
Projects would boost on-call staffing and technology used by the county’s emergency management agency, as well as improve evacuation access.
Rebuilding hundreds of affordable housing units burned in Lahaina fire is key priority of county’s recovery plan
The long-awaited draft plan, released last week, also calls for improving communication networks, expanding evacuation routes and boosting emergency response technology and staffing.
Haleakalā Crater Road fire update 9 p.m. July 12: Residents urged to prepare for potential evacuations; 550 acres burned
Maui County officials issued an update shortly before 9 p.m., notifying the public there are NO evacuations called at this time. However, Maui Police Department officers are going through Kula neighborhoods notifying residents to PREPARE to evacuate if necessary and to sign up for MEMA Alerts.
County Disaster Preparedness Expo, July 13 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center
The public is invited to attend the Maui Emergency Management Agency Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului.
South Maui town hall set for June 27
South Maui Council Member Tom Cook will host a town hall meeting 6 p.m. June 27 at the Maui Economic Development Board’s Malcolm Center.
Wildfire Mitigation and Risk Reduction Preparedness Month
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., proclaimed May as Wildfire Mitigation and Risk Reduction Preparedness Month. The proclamation comes nine months after the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that destroyed much of historic Lahaina Town and claimed the lives of more than 100 people.
County issues RFP for After-Action Report of Maui Emergency Management Agency’s coordination of the Aug. 8 wildfire
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced the County of Maui has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct an After-Action Report assessing the coordination of Maui County Emergency Management Agency’s (MEMA’s) response to the Maui Wildfires that occurred in August 2023.
Council Vice-Chair Sugimura to host Upcountry community meeting Feb. 29
Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura has announced a community meeting at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on hazard mitigation and recovery efforts Upcountry.
New system for private property contractor access to Lahaina Wildfire Disaster zone
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.
Retired Fire Battalion Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett selected as new Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator
Amos Lonokailua-Hewett has been selected as the new administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He brings to the position 25 years of service with Maui Fire Department before retiring in 2019 as a battalion chief.
Lahaina’s Vision for the Future, Part 2: Navigating a sail plan, Finding comfort in the shade of Lele, Pushing the reset button
“I want to see that grow out of this situation we’re in today. Let us find the people who bind us together. Let us find the strength in our lāʻau (plants), in our community. Let us find the koʻi (adze) that define the future and shape our world as we’re going to see it; the kālaimoku (high official), the kālai waʻa (canoe carver)—all of those people. They’re in our community. I can stare into this audience and see all the individuals, and that’s what gives me comfort,” said Kaipo Kekona.
Kamehameha Maui Students Sign National Letters of Intent
Two students from Kamehameha Schools Maui signed National Letters of Intent to play sports with collegiate teams.
