#storm damage

The Maui County Council approved spending $10 million from emergency funds for recovery efforts following Hurricane Lala, although overall damage costs are rising to nearly $15 million.

Darrell Richard, one of the six residents trapped by the collapse, said he’s grateful for the deliveries of supplies but worried about the future. “I don’t need gas,” he said. “I need a bridge.”

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) is preparing to request a federal disaster declaration following damage assessments related to Tropical Cyclone Lala. To ensure thorough evaluations, HIEMA will deploy damage-assessment teams next week. In partnership with the Hawaiʻi National Guard, HIEMA will also conduct aerial assessments to gauge the storm’s impact across affected areas.

In Upcountry, a massive number of downed trees along Olinda and Piʻiholo roads have caused waterline breaks in multiple locations and blocked access to water treatment facilities. Access to the facilities has since been restored, but crews continue to work through the extensive debris and damage.

As staff returned to campuses Tuesday and assessments continued, additional storm-related damage was identified and reported, bringing HIDOE’s statewide preliminary total to more than 600 work orders as of noon — 360 on Oʻahu, 81 on Hawai‘i Island and 175 across all other islands. Reports range from downed trees and damaged roofs to water intrusion, electrical issues and other facility impacts.

As Hurricane Lala’s strong winds shook his rectory Saturday night at St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Rev. Edison Pamintuan worried that his roof might blow away.

The funding will provide further financial assistance to individuals and families affected by storms, particularly residents living in South Maui (Kīhei and Wailea) and West Maui (Lahaina, Kāʻanapali and Kahana), where the majority of damage occurred. 

The Hawaiʻi REALTORS Charitable Foundation has extended its application deadline to Aug. 3, 2026, for Maui residents seeking a share of $200,000 in grants meant to help offset damage from the March Kona Low storms.

Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in ‘Īao Valley, reopened Saturday after severe damage from back-to-back Kona low storms in March, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation. The public is advised that Picnic Pavilions 1 and 2 at Kepaniwai remain closed as repairs continue. Parkgoers are asked to proceed with caution and follow all warning signs when visiting the facility.

After repairs to storm-damaged berms and surrounding areas, the Ukumehame Firing Range will reopen on Friday, June 5, 2026, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

Residents and business owners are invited to attend an informational community meeting on the Kona Low storm recovery efforts on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Malcolm Center, Council Member Tom Cook announced.

County of Maui Department of Planning is informing property owners and residents within the Special Management Area (SMA) throughout Maui County of limited activities that are permissible due to the state’s emergency proclamation tied to the current and recent storms.

South Kīhei Road will be closed between North Kīhei Road and Ohukai Road starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, and continuing through April 15, 2026, to repair damage from recent kona storms, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works.

Eight of the nine residents at Kula Hospital’s Hale Makamae, a facility for developmentally disabled individuals, had to be moved off island.

As of this week, the Department has received nearly 300 work orders related to storm damage, with the majority reported on Oʻahu. The most common issues involve roof leaks and water intrusion into classrooms, accounting for about half of all reports, followed by downed trees, debris and localized flooding.

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation reports that a portion of one of the stone walls at the historic Baldwin Home collapsed following the recent storm that impacted Maui, just days after stabilization work had begun on the structure.

Maui Emergency Management Agency is urging residents and businesses (including commercial properties) damaged by the recent kona storm to submit damage reports to the emergency management agency.

Motorists are advised that storm-related repairs on Kekaulike Avenue (Route 377) in Kula have been completed, a month ahead of schedule.

South Kīhei Road — from Wailana Place to Kūlanihākoʻi Street — is anticipated to reopen by the end of this month, following County of Maui repairs and cleanup from a severe winter storm, according to the County Department of Public Works.

The Kahakapao Access Road, also known as the Makawao State Forest Reserve Access Road, on Maui will face a two-month closure starting next week to undergo infrastructure improvements related to storm drainage and debris mitigation. The work is scheduled from May 2 through June 28, 2024.