Hawaii Supreme Court considers fate of $4B wildfire settlement
Answers to three questions posed to five justices could soon determine the fate of a stalled $4 billion settlement for close to 10,000 Maui wildfire victims. Read more
Maui Wildfires
Housing pressures increase on Maui as assistance ends
A Maui fire-related foreclosure moratorium ended Jan. 1; on Feb. 4, a state-issued eviction ban ends; and on March 1, FEMA will begin charging rent for its direct housing program, according to state Sen. Angus McKelvey. Read more
FEMA funding to restore some of Lahaina’s historic buildings
The funding will help the community of Lahaina rebuild the Waiola Church, Hale Aloha Museum, the Old Lahaina Courthouse building, and the Master’s Reading Room. Read more
Maui County updating 2010 emergency operations plan
The 17 observations and 44 recommendations are based on more than 40 interviews, document reviews and an interagency after-action meeting. Read more
Maui police arrest man, 39, in restricted Lahaina area
Police said the man was unable to provide a valid reason for being in the restricted area and allegedly had an open container of alcohol within his golf cart. Read more
Editorial: Rapidly build up Hawaii’s wildfire response
Communication and communication systems, which so devastatingly failed during the Lahaina fire, must be addressed — now. Read more
Maui businesses hope for a return to Lahaina
Commercial redevelopment has not kicked into high gear in Lahaina; however, some recent progress has been made. Read more
State concludes probe of the Lahaina wildfire
The final phase of the state Department of the Attorney General’s investigation Opens in a new tab of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire, which killed 102 people, recommends hiring a state fire marshal and actions government must take to protect communities from wildfires. Read more
Maui population losses cause millions in lost income
There were more Maui residents leaving after the devastating Maui wildfires in 2023 and fewer moving in — reducing the island’s population by more than 1,000 residents and resulting in an estimated $50 million loss in annual income for Hawaii’s economy. Read more
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Final phase of state probe of Lahaina fire released
The 61-page Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report was released this morning by Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez. Read more
Hawaiian Electric submits wildfire safety plan
Hawaii’s largest electrical utility has formalized a three-year plan to reduce future wildfire risks in a new report filed with state regulators. Read more
Hawaiian Electric lays out plan to reduce wildfire risk
The utility has faced intense scrutiny in the past for its role in the deadly 2023 Maui wildfire. Read more
Editorial: Do more to house Lahaina survivors
Stark figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) latest Point-in-Time (PIT) count reveal a whopping 87% increase in Hawaii homelessness between 2023 and 2024, with primary blame laid on the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Read more
Feds to give Maui $1.6B for wildfire recovery
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
‘Sobering’ report issued on Hawaii natural disaster resilience spending needs
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
Maui youth mental health gets $1M donation
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
DOE report reveals opinions on new Lahaina campus
The state Department of Education on Friday released a summary report Opens in a new tab 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
HEI sells 90% of American Savings Bank to help pay for Maui fire settlement
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
Restrictions ease in Lahaina burn zone
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 delivers answers to PUC probe
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
Editorial: Recovery plan is pledge to Maui
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
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