#Red Cross

Three shelters on Maui closed at 5 p.m., March 22, 2026, as weather conditions from the kona storm 2 improved and shelter numbers declined, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency. Two shelters – one in South Maui and one on Moloka’i – remain open.

Maui Emergency Management Agency, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation and the American Red Cross will reopen a Central Maui shelter at Baldwin High School gym, 1650 Kaʻahumanu Ave., Wailuku, at 7 tonight, March 21, 2026, due to recent road closures and evacuation warnings from kona storm 2.

County of Maui officials are urging residents to prepare for a second kona low storm that is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to Maui County — less than a week after a powerful, prolonged kona storm caused widespread flooding and strong wind. Meanwhile, County departments are taking steps to prepare while responding to existing damages.

Emergency shelters at Maui High School Gym in Kahului and Hāna High School Cafeteria were closed today, March 16, and remaining shelters in Lahaina and South Maui were set to close at 5 p.m. today, after being opened last week before a prolonged kona storm brought heavy rain, flooding and high wind to Maui County and the rest of the state.

In coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and County of Maui Department of Human Concerns, the American Red Cross opened a shelter on Lānaʻi shortly before 1 p.m. today at Lānai High & Elementary School Gym. Another shelter is scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m. today at the Hāna High School cafeteria.

To prepare for a powerful kona storm, Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation on Tuesday, that lets the county access state and federal assistance and streamlines procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed.

Born and raised in Honolulu, John Henry Felix dedicated his life to advancing the common good. His roles spanned Chair Emeritus of the Hawai‘i Red Cross, founder of multiple Red Cross Societies in the Pacific, field delegate in international relief efforts across Southeast Asia and Africa, Chair of the American Red Cross International Committee, and distinguished leader in the Boy Scouts of America and March of Dimes.

One person was displaced after a fire destroyed a single-story structure off Malaihi Road in Wailuku, Sunday night. This person was checked out at the scene for injuries by Emergency Medical Services personnel and was being assisted by the American Red Cross.

In coordination with the County of Maui Department of Human Concerns and the Maui Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross has opened several shelters on Maui this afternoon to prepare for potential severe weather impacts.

Two post-impact shelters are now open due to extended power outages across the Big Island in the wake of Hurricane Hone. Hawaiʻi County has opened these shelters under their guidelines and requested that the American Red Cross staff them with the purpose of serving those who have been without power since the storm’s passing over the weekend.

Residents previously scheduled to relocate to new American Red Cross non-congregate shelter locations between Dec. 15 and Dec. 18 have been extended in their current hotel sheltering locations until after the holidays, according to a Red Cross update.

Maui Mayor RIchard Bissen said that he was reassured by the American Red Cross, FEMA and the State of Hawai’i that residents displaced by the Aug. 8 fires who are sheltering in hotels will be able to continue to do so past Sept. 30 if they have completed registering with FEMA and the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross is hiring members of the Maui community for long-term wildfire recovery efforts and has launched a six-day Job Fair in Central Maui.

Maui wildfire survivors must act quickly to apply for financial assistance through the American Red Cross, with the registration deadline of Monday, Sept. 18. There is no late registration option.

Anyone who wishes to begin using the American Red Cross’ non-congregate sheltering program, which offers lodging in hotels and other properties rather than group shelters, must sign up no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Those who already have signed up will continue to receive shelter and services through the program as long as they are eligible.

The American Red Cross has an urgent need to support those impacted by the wildfires on Maui. ​The organization is looking to temporarily hire individuals to support the disaster response for the next 3-12 months. 

The Family Assistance Center, currently located at the Hyatt Kāʻanapali Monarchy ballroom, will move to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway) on Saturday, Sept. 9. 

Less than one-third (29%) of those surveyed have yet to create a comprehensive emergency plan for natural disasters, while just 1 in 10 have embraced modern tools such as disaster-related apps or text notifications from official national disaster resource agencies. And only 10% of older adults follow national disaster resource organizations on social media such as FEMA, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

Monday morning a caravan of nurse practitioners, mental health counselors, a psychiatrist and dedicated volunteers arrived in West Maui to support residents in-need from the Lahaina fire.

The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is holding assistance events Dec. 29 for residents on Maui, Oʻahu and the Big Island affected by the recent flooding and heavy rains.