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KAHULUI >> Gov. Josh Green, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen and federal officials today outlined progress in helping survivors of the Maui wildfires and clearing debris at the 6-month mark — while acknowledging the challenges of getting evacuees moved into long-term housing and addressing their mental health needs.

Out of Lahaina’s estimated population of 13,000 during the Aug. 8 wildfires that killed at least 100 people, 9,806 residents were displaced and 3,971 properties were destroyed, most of them homes.

Some 7,796 fire survivors moved into hotels and Bissen said that all are suffering from trauma or have other mental health needs, while pledging to help each one.

Green expects another 1,000 fire evacuees to move out of their hotels in March and said, “by the time we get to summer we truly hope no one’s in a hotel” who doesn’t want to be.

Green and Bissen were joined at the University of Hawaii’s Maui College campus today by officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency and Small Business Administration whose workers have been helping evacuees recover.

“We continue to work closely with FEMA — as well as Maui County and our federal and non-profit partners — to put Lahaina on a path to recovery, while making every effort to preserve its distinct culture and sense of community,” Green said.

The SBA has approved over $291 million in loans as of Feb. 11.

Excavators and bulldozers are clearing property and crews continue to conduct air, water and soil samples while being “sensitive to preserving the culture to identify and protect artifacts” under the supervision of cultural monitors, said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

Some 96 boats have been removed from the ocean, including a submarine, she said.

“It’s a huge step forward, but we know that we have a long way to go,” Criswell said. “We are here to help you. We want to help you. … This is going to be a long recovery. But we will be with you every step of the way.”

For anyone who has not yet, Criswell encouraged everyone to apply for FEMA individual assistance by Friday’s deadline. And she urged anyone who was originally turned down to file an appeal, which could only require additional information to be approved.

The EPA has been involved in the removal of 200 tons of hazardous materials — including 30 tons of lithium-ion batteries — and continues to work to restore drinking water and wastewater services.

Criswell thanked survivors of the Lahaina and Kula wildfires “who better educated us … and (taught us) how to best support you.”

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Gov. Josh Green and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen along with other government officials held a press conference this morning in Kahului to give a six-month update on recovery efforts and finding long-term housing for displaced Maui wildfire survivors.

Today marks six months after the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire, which killed at least 100 people and left thousands homeless.

“We continue to work closely with FEMA — as well as Maui County and our federal and non-profit partners — to put Lahaina on a path to recovery, while making every effort to preserve its distinct culture and sense of community,” Green said in an email to his supporters before the press conference.

Green has said he wants more owners of Maui’s short-term vacation rentals to take advantage of the county’s moratorium on property taxes and above-market rental rates to convert their units into more permanent and stable housing for the 2,089 families — or 4,984 individuals — still living in hotels.

Green has threatened a moratorium on short-term rentals on Maui if he cannot get owners to convert by March 1.

>> RELATED: Maui wildfire survivors mark six months since the deadly disaster

“We still have a housing crisis,” Green said.

Speakers include Small Business Association Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden, and Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Deputy Regional Administrator Cheree Peterson.

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