#Eric Swenson
Congressional subcommittee hears update on Maui wildfire aftermath
Members of the US House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, including Hawaiʻi US Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, heard an update Wednesday on last year’s deadly wildfires during a hearing at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Maui wildfires one year later: state, federal and local authorities recap recovery
After marking one year since devastating wildfires swept through West Maui and Upcountry, state, county and federal leaders gathered to recap response and ongoing recovery. The fires destroying the town of Lahaina, claiming the lives of 102 people and leaving thousands displaced. The process toward recovery is ongoing with housing of wildfire survivors remaining a key focal point.
Nearly all wildfire-impacted Lahaina residential properties cleared of ash and debris
As of Friday, 1,372 residential properties in Lahaina had been cleared of ash and debris, representing 98% of the homes destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire disaster, according to Col. Eric Swenson, Maui Wildfires Recovery Field Office commander with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Temporary housing projects moving ahead in Lahaina for displaced residents
The first dozen or so Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing units are nearly ready for occupancy by wildfire survivors in pre-fab, futuristic NanoNest tiny homes with curved ends and floor-to-ceiling transparent walls that take advantage of views of the ocean and West Maui Mountains.
New construction haul routes aim to reduce community impact during construction of Kilohana temporary housing
In response to community concerns regarding increased traffic, noise, safety hazards, and dust pollution, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Hawai‘i are implementing alternate construction routes for the temporary housing projects in Lahaina. These changes aim to mitigate the impact on local residents while ensuring the continued progress of these essential housing projects.
A place for healing: Temporary King Kamehameha III campus blessed
The dedication and blessing of the temporary campus for Kamehameha III Elementary School, makai of Kapalua Airport, was a milestone for the community of Lahaina on Monday as residents took another step in recovering from the August wildfires.
