#lahaina fire
In a year of federal cuts and fading fire recovery funds, Maui nonprofits hold fast
Government shutdown and pause in SNAP benefits at the end of the year spurred even more need in the community.
Kumulani Chapel and Maui Land & Pineapple finalize agreement for permanent Kapalua campus
Kumulani Chapel will soon have a permanent home in Kapalua Resort through a new agreement with Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. The church will purchase more than six acres to establish a permanent campus for the longstanding West Maui congregation of 42 years.
Army Corps of Engineers expect to restore temporary disposal site of Lahaina fire debris in Olowalu by end of year
With the transportation of debris from the Lahaina fire to its permanent site in Central Maui nearing completion, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun preparations to restore the land used for the temporary debris location in Olowalu.
In Hawaiian Electric’s first proactive power shutdown, Upcountry customers frustrated by long outage but supportive of fire prevention program
Some farmers lost thousands of dollars in products when their generators couldn’t keep their operations going. But even the hardest-hit businesses and their neighbors say shutting off the power is a good measure to prevent another tragedy like the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry.
First of two stolen ‘Welcome to Lahaina’ signs is re-installed
With the diligent help of the community, the sign was recovered and the members of Lahaina Rotary Club and Lahaina Restoration Foundation re-installed the sign on Friday. The second sign which stood across from Puamana Park will be installed at a future date.
As property values climb, Maui County eyes lower tax rates for resident homeowners
Some property owners are seeing increases by as much as 50%, and even with a tax rate cut, they may still see a higher bill.
Maui Food Bank and Mānoa partner on health food demonstrations at Da Market
The Maui Food Bank, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Nutrition Center, offers healthy food demonstrations at Da Market in Lahaina by incorporating products that neighbors in the program can access at Da Market.
Front Street Recovery: Generational landowners launch initiative to rebuild Lahaina Town
Representing 73 landowners, Front Street Recovery is committed to rebuilding the heart of Lahaina by restoring over 800 businesses and providing more than 7,000 jobs critical to supporting local families and the community.
Schatz secured $6 billion for Hawaiʻi in 2024, including funds to support Maui’s recovery
In 2024, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure more than $6 billion in federal funding for Hawai‘i as he led efforts to deliver resources to support Maui’s recovery from last year’s fires and advance a range of other priorities for the state.
Man who lost wife, son in Lahaina blaze now under investigation for shooting murder of a Maui surfer
Shawn Lewis, who was known as “Bigfoot” by the local surfing community because of his partially amputated left leg, died from a gunshot wound in September.
State Historic Preservation Division working to streamline Lahaina approvals
The State Historic Preservation Division is considering developing sensitivity maps and one archaeological monitoring plan that all residential and commercial property owners can use so they don’t have to develop and pay for individual ones.
New Kahului homes blessed and move-in ready for two healthcare professionals impacted by the Lahaina fires
The first two completed homes under the Housing for Healthcare initiative were blessed in a private ceremony held with the two new tenants and their families, both Maui healthcare professionals who lost their homes and belongings in the devastating Lahaina fires last year. The families moved into their homes this month.
Lahaina Aquatic Center reopens after more than a year closure
After being closed following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire, the Lahaina Aquatic Center reopened to dozens of swimmers Saturday, Oct. 11.
Executive at Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization receives national recognition
Elizabeth Pickett, the long-time co-executive director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) was honored today at a ceremony in New York City, as one of the 2024 Grist 50. Grist bills itself as the only newsroom focused on finding solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.
End of an era? Lahaina fire delivers big blow to already declining commercial fishing industry
There is much uncertainty about the rebounding of the Lahaina fishing industry with only two of the commercial fishing boats docked in the harbor having survived the fire and a timeline of at least two more years before the damaged harbor can reopen.
Prices of burned-down properties in Lahaina spark conflict between land trust, sellers
The land trust says listings of burned properties in Lahaina with prices well above their assessed land values pre-fire will draw outside investors and put properties out of the reach of local buyers. But sellers say it’s a tough call to put their properties on the market and that they’re just trying to recoup their losses and move on with their lives.
Maui wildfires one year later: State conservation officers reflect on their roles the night of the Lahaina fires
“We got a request for help late on the night of Aug. 8, 2023, and we deployed a boat and three personal watercraft from the Māʻalaea Small Boat Harbor. Normally the 13-mile trip takes a half hour. With hurricane force winds in our face and very rough sea conditions it took us more than an hour to get to Lahaina,” said DOCARE Lt. Jeff Kinores.
‘Some things you just live with’: One year after Lahaina fire, community grapples with loss, uncertainty
“It’s going to be a long process,” said Kā‘eo Blas, reflecting on one year since a fire burned down his home and much of Lahaina town. “Sometimes you think it gets better but it’s always there. It’s like losing somebody you love. You still get the memories, they’re still in your heart, but they’re not there. It’s not the same.”
MACC’s ‘Local Voices’ series presents Justin Kawika Young in concert, Aug. 23
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents singer/songwriter Justin Kawika Young in a MACC “Local Voices” concert in the McCoy Studio Theater Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale online only at 10 a.m. to MACC members Tuesday, July 23 and to the general public Friday, July 26.
Gov. Green announces Interim Housing Program for Maui wildfire survivors
Interim housing sites include 450 modular homes under construction at Ka Laʻi Ola in West Maui, and 150 units at Hale ‘O Lā‛ie (formerly the Haggai Institute in Kīhei).
