#James Barros

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) will undergo a leadership transition on July 1, 2026, as Administrator James Barros steps down from his role and David Lopez assumes responsibility for the agency’s day-to-day operations as the new HIEMA administrator.

Governor Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of a statewide interim Disaster Case Management Program for residents impacted by the kona low weather events in March.

The Hawai‘i National Guard continues its support with Soldiers and Airmen on Oʻahu and in Maui County due to the latest kona low storm damage. On Molokaʻi, Mayor Richard Bissen evaluated the damage from the air, along with Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros, on Tuesday.

Federal housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors has been extended through February 2027, providing relief to nearly 1,000 households that were facing an impending cutoff.

Molokaʻi High School’s 21,000-square-foot gym, affectionately known as “The Barn,” launched a major upgrade project this month to better serve Molokaʻi’s students, athletes and community.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) would like to inform the public that a test alert was issued today around 11:03 a.m. at one of its alternate alert notification sites. This test is a routine procedure designed to ensure that our emergency communication systems are functioning properly and can effectively provide critical information during actual emergencies. There is no current threat to the state of Hawaiʻi. This test was intended solely to validate department systems.

The County of Maui, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Hawaiʻi, announces the official closure of the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and the Community Recovery Center (CRC) effective Saturday, June 29, 2024. In their place, the County of Maui Office of Recovery will be hosting a blessing and soft opening on July 3, 2024 at its new location at Lahaina Gateway.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current extension for the non-congregate sheltering (NCS) program is now set for June 10, 2024. On May 31, 2024, the state of Hawaiʻi will cease its feeding operations at NCS designated hotel sites. State officials say they are postured to assist during this period of transition and are actively working on developing strategies and resources to support individuals and families who will be affected by the end of these services.

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.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the State of Hawaiʻi’s request for a final 30-day extension of the temporary emergency Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) program, which has been in operation for nearly 10 months. The program is now set to end on June 10, 2024.

“April 1—April Fool’s Day—78 years ago a magnitude 8.6 earthquake from the Aleutian Islands generated a tsunami that took about four-and-a-half hours to hit our state,” said Laura Kong, Ph.D., director of International Tsunami Information Center. “By 6:30 a.m., waves that would reach 53 feet on the Big Island, 33 feet on Maui, 54 feet on Molokaʻi, 35 feet on Oʻahu and 45 feet on Kauaʻi, began to arrive.” The event resulted in $340 million in damage and the loss of nearly 159 people in the state, 96 in Hilo.

A survivor in NCS seeking support for the FEMA-eligible program will have four opportunities to accept their Direct Housing option. Meanwhile, survivors in non-congregate sheltering seeking support through the state of Hawaiʻi’s Housing solution will be given two opportunities to accept an option. The state’s plan is to ultimately wrap up its NCS program.

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.

“The people of Hawai‘i have seen how quickly a wildfire can spread and the devastation it can bring – Maui is still coping with the consequences,” HI-EMA Administrator James Barros said. “We want to assure everyone that we are keeping close watch, but we need your help to reduce risk.”

Time is running out for private nonprofits, houses of worship and government organizations to apply for a key type of federal assistance for the Hawai‘i wildfire disaster. Requests for public assistance funding from the Federal Emergency Management Administration must be filed no later than Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency has made an interactive map available to the public, displaying the locations of 418 alert and warning sirens across the state, alongside their operational status.

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.

The State of Hawaiʻi and Maui County have launched the Maui Disaster Support Call Center to provide a central assistance hub for community members affected by the Maui wildfires.

The conditions are not expected to be as hazardous as the hurricane-accelerated winds that accompanied the Aug. 7 and 8, 2023 wildfires on Hawai‘i island and Maui, when gusts exceeded 60 mph. However, the National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for leeward areas of all Hawaiian islands from midday Wednesday through Thursday afternoon.

The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency has launched a series of short video presentations showing residents how to become “2 Weeks Ready” for emergencies.