Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery fund award represents a critical milestone in the effort to recover from the fires in Lahaina and Kula. Read more
A panel advising Gov. Josh Green is urging the state Legislature to appropriate almost $2 billion over the next five years to help reduce and respond to future natural disaster damage in Hawaii. Read more
Sentry Insurance announced Tuesday a $1 million donation to Maui United Way, furthering its commitment to supporting youth mental health services in the wake of the devastating Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Read more
The state Department of Education on Friday released a summary report on community sentiment regarding plans to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was damaged beyond repair in the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire. Read more
The deal, which closed Tuesday, values the bank at $450 million, with the investors purchasing the 90.1% of ASB common stock for $405 million. Read more
Maui County is lifting access restrictions to much of a largely commercial area of Lahaina destroyed by wildfire more than a year ago. Read more
Hawaiian Electric has delivered a 96-page report to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in response to 30 information requests and nearly 200 questions about the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fire, which killed 102 people, caused $5.5 billion in damage, left thousands homeless and decimated Maui’s visitor industry. Read more
The county’s challenge is to balance the myriad responses. Some residents want the original configuration of the town maintained; others prefer that the region’s historical heritage be better reflected. Read more
Given the recent explosion of global warming-fueled wildfires across the planet, quick detection is needed more than ever. Read more
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The Biden-Harris administration has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness across the nation, including Hawaii. Read more
This holiday season, Jesica Cadiam Standley, a Maui fire survivor, is grateful to have a place to call home for the holidays. Read more
The program has the capacity to serve approximately 3,000 households at a time, ensuring that all survivors have access to the necessary support and resources. Read more
With Congress scheduled to adjourn Friday, the U.S. House likely will take up the bill this week before sending it back to the Senate, Schatz said. Read more
A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires. Read more
A bipartisan bill sits on President Joe Biden’s desk that would exempt survivors of disasters, including the 2023 Maui wildfires, from having to pay federal income tax on settlement money. Read more
John Smith was instrumental in leading infrastructure restoration efforts following the wildfires, county officials said, and will oversee the county’s recovery efforts. Read more
The agency is interested in leasing land in or near Lahaina that will remain undeveloped for the next two to three years, providing an opportunity for property owners to support recovery efforts. Read more
Lahaina Intermediate School teacher Nathan Kahaiali‘i is running his third Honolulu Marathon on Sunday. Read more
The first 24 homes in FEMA’s 167-unit temporary housing community called Kilohana were provided to fire survivors over the past weekend. Read more
Maui County has tentatively secured land to enlarge the only major municipal solid waste landfill on the Valley Isle and bury debris from the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina. Read more
Maui County’s Recovery Permit Center has issued over 254 building permits, and more than 120 homes were being rebuilt in fire-affected areas in Lahaina and Kula. Read more
