DLNR

The County of Maui has released a validated list of 388 names of people who are unaccounted for following the Lāhainā fire on Aug. 8.

The FBI compiled the list. Names are considered validated if a first and last name for the unaccounted person was provided, and there is a verified contact of the person who reported them missing.

The list can be found at www.mauinuistrong.info/unaccountedfor.

“We're releasing this list of names today because we know that it will help with the investigation,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in a statement. “We also know that once those names come out, it can and will cause pain for folks whose loved ones are listed. This is not an easy thing to do, but we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make this investigation as complete and thorough as possible.”

If you recognize a name on the list and know the person to be safe, or if you have additional information about the person that may help locate them, please contact the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov as soon as possible.

If you believe an individual is still unaccounted for and their name is not included on the validated list of names, please email unaccounted@mpd.net immediately to provide the MPD with any additional information you may have on that person.

If you are an immediate family member of an individual you believe is still unaccounted for, please visit the Family Assistance Center in the Monarchy Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Ka’anapali to provide a DNA sample to assist with the identification process.

If you live outside of Maui, please contact the FBI at (808) 566-4300 or HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov to coordinate the submission of a DNA sample.

As of late Thursday afternoon, an additional 1,732 individuals who had originally been reported as unaccounted for have since been found safe and well.

Courtesy Of Mindi Cherry

The Hawai’i Department of Education has announced a temporary relocation plan for Lāhainā students affected by the wildfires.

All four public schools in the area are closed until the department determines that they are environmentally safe. But King Kamehameha III Elementary School was destroyed by the Aug. 8 fire.

Students at King Kamehameha III and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena elementary schools will go to either Wailuku or Kamali’i elementary schools.

Middle schoolers at Lāhainā Intermediate will go to Lokelani Intermediate, and Lāhaināluna high schoolers will relocate to Kūlanihākoʻi High.

The DOE is working on transportation for West Maui students to get to their temporary schools. It also announced that more than 600 displaced students have re-enrolled in other public schools.

Impacted staff will be on paid administrative leave until Aug. 25.

Maui County officials have issued a warning about scams related to the collection of DNA samples in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.

The Family Assistance Center has received reports about Maui community members receiving calls from individuals or organizations claiming to be with "DNA Services."

These telephone calls are scams. Officials urged anyone receiving these calls to hang up and report them to the Maui Police Department's non-emergency number at 808-244-6400.

The Family Assistance Center is currently the only location on Maui conducting DNA sampling to assist with the identification of remains.

Staff members are not calling community members to request DNA samples, and any offers to collect samples outside of the Family Assistance Center has not been authorized by Maui County.

The Family Assistance Center is located at the Hyatt Regency's Monarchy Ballroom in Kāʻanapali. It is open daily from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you are the immediate family member of an individual who is unaccounted for, please go to the Family Assistance Center to submit a DNA sample.

Federal and county officials say there are between 1,000 to 1,100 people unaccounted for since the Aug. 8 West Maui fire. About 1,400 people previously identified as missing have been accounted for.

Julie French is the senior vice president of ANDE Rapid DNA. She says using DNA technology to identifying the dead, depends on help from the living.

“We need family members to come forward to donate their samples so that we can compare them to these DNA profiles we’ve already generated from remains,” French said.

Immediate family members of those who are unaccounted for can go to the Family Assistance Center at the Hyatt Regency in Lāhainā for DNA collection.

Anyone who is interested in submitting an official report on someone who is still unaccounted for following the wildfire disaster is asked to contact the Maui Police Department at unaccounted@mpd.net.

If you previoulsy reported an individual as unaccounted for and have since made contact with that person, you are urged to contact the FBI at 808-566-4300 or hn-command-post@ic.fbi.gov.

Maui Police Department released the name of eight more individuals today.

They are 74-year-old Clyde Wakida; 68-year-old Todd Yamafuji; 64-year-old Antonia Molina; 59-year-old Freeman Tam Lung; 72-year-old Theresa Cook; 67-year-old Joseph Schilling; 67-year-old Narciso Baylosis, Jr.; and 67-year-old Vanessa Baylosis. All were from Lāhainā, except Cook, who was from California.

There are a confirmed 115 fatalities. All single-story, residential properties in the disaster area have been searched. Teams are now looking through multi-story residential and commercial properties. Approximately 341 emergency personnel and 50 canine units have been deployed.

Maui's fires are not fully contained, but the Maui Fire Departmetn says there are no active threats at this time. The Olinda fire in Upcountry is 85% contained, while the Kula fire is also 85% contained. The Lāhainā fire is 90% contained.

Jae C. Hong

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AP

As of Tuesday morning, about 850 people are still unaccounted for after the Maui wildfires. The number is a large decrease from what the county started with, according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen in an Instagram post.

Bissen said that 27 victims have been identified, and 11 families were notified.

Following President Joe Biden's visit on Monday, many people are counting on federal support to rebuild Lāhainā.

"For as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you, the whole country will be with you. We will be respectful of your culture and traditions," Biden said.

Additionally, Green encouraged visitors to travel to the unaffected parts of Maui, in an effort to "support our local economy and speed the recovery.”

The county has announced that all single-story, residential properties have now been searched and that teams will transition to multi-story residential and commercial properties.

An unsafe water advisory remains in effect for Lāhainā and Upper Kula. Officials advise residents to use bottled water or potable water provided from tankers.

There are now 115 confirmed fatalities due to the Lāhainā fire.

The Maui Police Department also released the names of two more deceased individual: 59-year-old Douglas Gloege and 45-year-old Juan Deleon, both of Lāhainā.

MPD reports that 13 of the 115 dead have been identified and their families have been notified. 22 others have been identified but their next of kin has not been located nor notified.

1 of 6  — Biden

President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with community members impacted by the Maui wildfires at Lahaina Civic Center, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

2 of 6  — Biden

Gov. Josh Green hugs President Joe Biden before he speaks after touring areas devastated by the Maui wildfires, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

3 of 6  — Biden

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk with Gov. Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as they visit areas devastated by the Maui wildfires, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

4 of 6  — Biden

People watch as the motorcade with President Joe Biden passes by as he visits areas impacted by the Maui wildfires at Lāhainā Civic Center, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

5 of 6  — Biden

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden listen during a prayer as they meet with community members impacted by the Maui wildfires at Lāhainā Civic Center, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

6 of 6  — Biden

President Joe Biden hugs a child as he meets with community members impacted by the Maui wildfires at Lahaina Civic Center, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Evan Vucci / AP

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at Kahului Airport on Maui late Monday morning. They were greeted by Gov. Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green, as well as members of Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation.

Biden took an aerial tour of the disaster area in Marine One. Shortly afterward, Biden landed at Kapalua Airport, where he and the First Lady greeted Maui Mayor Richard Bissen.

Then the president's motorcade drove through the wreckage in Lāhainā. Dozens gathered in the streets to watch it pass.

To ensure that his administration will take on more recovery work long-term, Biden named Bob Fenton, a regional leader at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the chief federal response coordinator for the wildfires.

The president is visiting Lāhainā Civic Center, where he will console hundreds of Lāhainā survivors and those who lost loved ones. He is also meeting with first responders and is being briefed by state and local officials about ongoing recovery efforts.

Biden delivered an address to Maui residents from Front Street. He called the iconic banyan tree a symbol for the community's perseverance.

"Fire cannot reach its roots. That's Maui. That's America," he said.

"The whole country will be with you," Biden added. "We will be respectful of the sacred grounds and the traditions [and] rebuild the way the people of Maui want to build, not the way others want to build."

Evan Vucci

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AP

President Joe Biden will be on Maui later today — where he’s expected to talk about longer-term aid for those devastated by the recent wildfire disaster.

In preparation for his arrival, Hawaiʻi Congresswoman Jill Tokuda said it’s crucial to coordinate federal aid with local needs— and to make sure the money goes to the places it’s needed the most.

“Sometimes the federal money comes in like a giant tsunami, right? Into a community — we saw that with COVID, quite frankly. And it’s a large amount of resources, and money, and support from all these different agencies," Tokuda told HPR.

"We have to make sure that people don’t get swept up or lost in it. We need to make sure it does in fact connect with people where they’re at. We also have to be careful as we know, because with a lot of resources, whether it’s public or private, it pulls back like a tsunami too. Right— it’s in and out," she said.

On Aug. 10, Biden declared the fires a "major disaster" to order federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires.

Biden has already approved nearly $7 million in assistance to nearly 2,200 households, according to his administration.

"Jill and I are eager to meet with the brave first responders in Lāhainā tomorrow, to spend time with families and community members, and witness firsthand what will be required for the community to recover," Biden said in a press release Sunday. "We will be here as long as it takes for Maui."

To hear an extended interview with Congresswoman Jill Tokuda speaking with HPR’s Bill Dorman on Maui, tune into The Conversation at 11 a.m. on HPR 1.

There are still active fires on Maui. Firefighters have contained more of the Lāhainā and Kula fires since yesterday.

The 202-acre Kula fire is now 85% contained, up from 80% yesterday. The 2,170-acre Lāhainā fire is now 90% contained, up from 89%.

The Olinda fire remains 85% contained, covering an estimated 1,081 acres.

There were no fatalities confirmed over the weekend. The death toll remains at 114.

The County of Maui is preparing for rain from post-tropical cyclone Fernanda, with the highest rainfall totals for the island expected between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Showers are expected to be brief and to occur in the windward and mauka areas.

The U.S. Coast Guard has installed absorbent booms at eight storm drain outfalls in Lāhainā. The county has also put up protective measures at street level storm drains.

Even with the protective measures, the county warns that runoff could be dangerous between Kāʻanapali and Olowalu Landing. Beachgoers have been advised to remain out of any brown water in the area.

Daniel Ramirez/Wikimedia Commons

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Creative Commons 2.0 license

Elected officials say it's premature to consider a special legislative session relating to the Maui wildfires.

In a statement, Senate President Ron Kouchi said the Senate and House are ready to work with the governor's administration... but at the appropriate time.

House Speaker Scott Saiki said a special session would primarily look at potential new regulatory laws and funding to respond to the crisis on Maui.

But because Gov. Josh Green has already signed several emergency proclamations to free up additional state funds, "it's entirely possible that we may not need a special session," said Saiki. "At this point, the governor has complete flexibility to spend funds, to move funds around, and to work around regulatory requirements."

Saiki suggested a special session may be considered once official damage assessments have been made.

Department of Land and Natural Resources

Several federal agencies are offering assistance this Saturday to Maui residents whose personal documents were destroyed during the wildfires.

These documents are necessary for many disaster relief applications.

Those in need of aid can seek help between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Maui
Economic Development Board’s Malcolm Center, located at 1305 North Holopono Street (Suite 5) in Kihei.

Maui County said that representatives from the following agencies will be on-hand to assist impacted individuals:

• U.S. Department of State (Passport Replacement)
• FEMA (Disaster Aid)
• The Social Security Administration (Social Security Card Replacement)
• U.S. Postal Service (Mail Support)
• The Veterans Administration (Veterans Benefits)
• Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System (Health Care Support) Small Business Administration (Small Business Support)
• USDA Farm Service Agency & Rural Development (Agricultural Support for Producers and Communities)
• Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center (Legal and Advocacy Services)
• Project Vision (Medical and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits)
• Hawaiian Spiritual Comfort
• Maui Economic Opportunity (Housing Assistance)

Shuttle service will be provided from the shelter at the South Maui Community Park Gym to the federal resource fair.

The shuttle is reserved for those staying in shelters or community members directly impacted by the fires.

Hawaiian Electric reported Friday evening that more than 80% of the customers who lost electricity last week have their power back on.

But about 1,800 customers in Olowalu, Lāhainā and some surrounding areas are still without power. Pockets of outages also persist in Upcountry.

Hawaiian Electric said in a statement that the utility is reaching out to customers who have yet to get their power back.

The utility also provided an update to its investors after its shares dropped to their lowest point in decades on Thursday.

The update stated that Hawaiian Electric intends to "endure as a financially strong utility" and that they "look forward to working with the people of Hawai‘i to achieve this goal."

Office of Gov. Josh Green

Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green are expected to deliver updates on the state's next steps in responding to the fatal fires on Maui.

In an interview with HPR's The Conversation on Thursday, Green said he thinks more tragedy is expected in the days to come.

"It's unlike anything we've dealt with as a state before. And this will be the pivotal point in our history,” Green said.

Green also addressed the controversy surrounding Kaleo Manuel, former deputy director of the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Manuel has been criticized for waiting to release water to landowners during the fire. The criticism has sparked outrage within the Native Hawaiian community. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said Manuel has been reassigned.

“I'm not going to impugn anyone, and I'm not going to blame anyone during this process. But sometimes ... people go in and do other things so that their replacements or the other people in their department have the full capacity to do what's necessary,” Green said.

“And if we're arguing ... that's work that can't be done.”

Green also talked about the debate surrounding the Emergency Alert System on Maui. Herman Andaya, leader of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, recently stated that he stands by his decision not to deploy sirens during the fire.

The sirens are mainly used for tsunami warnings. Andaya said he worried that people in Lāhainā would think there was a tsunami and head toward the mountains, where the fire blazed.

When HPR asked whether officials should have used the alert system, Green responded, “Yes, I would say absolutely.”

Listen to the interview with Gov. Josh Green

The Conversation's Catherine Cruz asks Green for his thoughts on the Emergency Alarm, Water Commission and what's next.

Listen • 12:45

DLNR

Maui Police Department has reportedly searched about 58% of the burn area as of late Thursday evening.

Additionally, another identity from the fatality count has been released. Donna Gomes, 71, was named for the public Thursday evening after the family was notified, according to the county.

Firefighters have contained about 2,168 acres in Lāhainā, which is about 90% of the area. All other fires' containment statuses have remained the same. In Kīhei, a small flare-up occurred in the burn area — which was declared 100% contained as of Saturday — but the county said it was quickly extinguished.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed fatalities remains at 111.

The Family Assistance Center on Maui, which has been a resource for families to search for missing kin and DNA test, will move to Kāʻanapali on Friday. The new location can be found at 200 Nohea Kai Dr. and will open at 10 a.m. Officials from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and more will be providing service at the center.

Mike Householder

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AP

Herman Andaya, head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, has resigned "effective immediately," citing health reasons.

Andaya recently defended his decision not to activate Maui's emergency sirens during last week's wildfires, stating that the system is mainly used for tsunami warnings. If people thought there was a tsunami coming, they might have fled to higher ground, where the fire was.

“Given the gravity of the crisis we are facing, my team and I will be placing someone in this key position as quickly as possible and I look forward to making that announcement soon,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a press release.

Office of Gov. Josh Green

Arborists from around the nation have a plan to save the historic banyan tree in Lāhainā Town.

Live tissue was found in the roots of the 150-year-old tree, but not sap.

Steve Nimz is an arborist. His team aerated the soil, breaking it up so water could penetrate the ground. They will then add compost tea and monitor soil moisture.

Nimz has compared the tree’s status to a patient in a coma.

“We're giving an intravenous shot with aeration and in treatments that we're doing right now, and then when someone's in a coma, we don't know how long is it gonna be a week, a month, a year, whatever it is, as long as their vitals are still growing, we keep them growing on it," he said.

"So then when they blink or move a finger, then we know we're going to do something on the tree. As soon as we see a new bud pop, or something like that, then we know that the trees responding to our treatments, or we may have to change our treatments. So the tree is going to tell us what to do.”

Nimz also reiterated that it’s still just a tree. He wants to assure people his team will focus on the tree so others can focus on people who have lost everything.

Office of Gov. Josh Green

The Maui Police Department confirmed the number of fatalities at 111.

The names of three victims were released after their families were notified: 71-year-old Melva Benjamin, 90-year-old Virginia Dofa, and 79-year-old Alfredo Galinato, all of Lāhainā.

In Upcountry, Maui County fire investigators have concluded that the Kula and Olinda fires have distinct origins.

The Olinda fire is 85% contained and is burning an estimated 1,081 acres.

The Kula fire is 80% contained at approximately 202 acres.

As mapping is refined in coming days, estimated fire acreage may be adjusted. Chinook helicopters dropped water on the perimeter to prevent further spread.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen will waive property taxes for homes IN Upcountry Maui, KĪhei and Lāhainā destroyed during the wildfires.

According to the Pacific Disaster Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, more than 2,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. About 86% of buildings were residential.

Bissen said the waiving will extend to physical structures and land. The county said if taxes have already been paid, refunds will be issued to the payer by Oct. 31, 2023.

"There are people who have gone through so much in this tragedy to offer relief to those homes that were destroyed. I'm authorizing waiving property taxes for this year, and that includes structures as well as land," Bissen said.

"The taxes that have already been paid will be refunded to those families, again to help them to regain using that to help them recover through this tragedy," he said.

All motorists may enter Lāhainā from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is limited to West Maui residents, first responders and West Maui employees.

Office of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke

The Republic of Korea has donated $2 million to the State of Hawaiʻi to support Maui wildfire aid.

Lee Seo Young is the Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu. He visited Maui last week and spoke with some Korean families on the island who have lost their homes.

He said he worked with the government to secure the money.

"Hawaiian Islands are the starting point of the Korean People's immigration to the United States. This year marks 120 years anniversary of Korean people's immigration to the United States as well as the seven years anniversary of Korea-U.S. Alliance," Young said.

"I hope people of Maui recover all the damages as soon as possible. And I also hope we stand together as strong alliances."

It's the largest single donation the nonprofit has received. The money will pay for generators, as well as health care and support for families living in shelters.

Jae C. Hong

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AP

Gov. Josh Green confirmed 110 fatalities from the Lāhainā fires Wednesday afternoon. He said 38% of the disaster zone has been searched.

About 225 more relief individuals are on their way to Maui. DNA experts from the mainland are also expected to arrive soon, ready to help in identifying victims. Ten more dogs will be added to the search, raising the total number of dogs on the ground to 40.

Officials emphasized that, although the Lāhainā bypass road is open, people should only use it if they need to.

Access to the impact zone remains limited due to search efforts and concerns about toxins in the area.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

Maui County officials announced Wednesday that police have completed a total of 35 autopsies, identifying seven out of the 106 total confirmed fatalities.

Police are asking that family members of missing kin get DNA tested at the Family Assistance Center, which has already collected about 52 samples. About 16 DNA profiles have been obtained from human remains, said MPD.

Firefighters continue to contain the Lāhainā and Upcountry Maui fires. The Kula fire is now 85% contained, but crews are struggling to put out hot spots in hard-to-reach areas such as gulches and forests.

The Lāhainā fire remains 85% contained as of Wednesday. The National Guard has two helicopters on standby for any emergencies, the county said.

As concerns about Tropical Storm Greg arose Tuesday, Maui County reported that there is no current threat to the state. The storm, along with Tropical Storm Fernanda passing far south of the island chain, may bring increased rains starting Monday.

Jacquelyn Martin

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AP

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are expected to arrive in Maui on Monday to meet with first responders and view the destruction left by the wildfires that killed at least 106 people to date.

Gov. Josh Green said he spoke with experts on the ground to determine that by Monday, search and rescue efforts would be mostly complete and that the visit would not "hamper disaster management efforts.”

“The suffering experienced as a result of the fires on Maui is a tragic blow to our state and the people of Hawaiʻi. However, we have been uplifted by the outpouring of support we have received from across our communities, across the nation, and throughout the world," Green said in a press release.

Biden will be joined by state and local leaders to discuss the next steps toward recovery from the fires.

"(Biden) has committed to delivering everything that the people of Hawaiʻi need from the federal government as they recover from this disaster," said his administration in a press release Wednesday.

Lāhainā residents Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, are the first publicly identified casualties of the Maui wildfires.

Maui County confirmed 106 people have died due to fires, but Dyckman and Jantoc are the first to be named following contact with next of kin.

Three other remains have been identified and the county is awaiting notification of next of kin.

Maui Police Department and assisting partners have been working to ensure that proper protocols are followed while notifying the families.

The County of Maui says it priority is to handle this situation with the utmost sensitivity and respect for those who are grieving.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. “As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort in this most difficult time.”

Gov. Josh Green confirmed Tuesday afternoon that there have been 101 fatalities from the Lāhaina wildfire.

"Everyone wants us to repair this wound, but it will take time," he said.

Over 1,000 first responders are now on the ground in West Maui.

Green announced the Lāhaina bypass road will be open to residents, first responders and employees of the region between 6 p.m. tonight and 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Starting tomorrow, Aug. 16, the road will be open daily to all motorists from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Late-night access between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be limited to residents, first responders and employees of West Maui.

Officials urge people to access West Maui only if necessary to live, work or volunteer.

The impact zone will remain closed due to the active search and recovery efforts. Drivers are encouraged to be vigilant, as there may be debris on the road.

Green added that attorneys on Maui will be embedded in the government's response to the wildfires. Attorneys will be available to assist victims with potential home and land sales. "This is the people's land," Green said.

Office of Gov. Josh Green

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed more than 22 tons of equipment and a team of mortuary specialists to Maui.

The agency is supporting and supplementing an inundated Maui mortuary staff. FEMA will work as an additional response team and in victim identification.

As of Tuesday morning, about 32% of the burned area in Lāhainā had been searched. 99 deaths have been confirmed, and officials say that number will rise.

Jonathan Greene with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the team will also assist in DNA collection at the Family Assistance Center.

"Working with our colleagues in the state of Hawaiʻi and in Maui County, it was determined that there was a requirement to support Maui's coroner's office, as the number of decedents succeeded, what they believed that they could handle and that precipitated the mission assignment for us to move forward and send the disaster portable mortuary unit," Greene said.

"Should the state and local community have determined that the number of decedents was within their capacity to manage without federal assistance, it would have been managed in that way," he continued.

A Maui-based FEMA disaster center will be opening in the next couple of days, according to officials.

Joel Saget

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AFP via Getty Images

The state of Hawaiʻi will work with rental company Airbnb to provide 1,000 people with temporary housing throughout the next several weeks.

Airbnb, along with Maui Economic Opportunity and Global Empowerment Mission programs, will review the eligibility for potential guests to connect them with temporary homes.

"We are so incredibly appreciative of the outpouring of community support for Maui in offering their properties to house those deeply affected by the Maui fires. This is aloha in action," Gov. Josh Green said in a press release.

The company is asking anyone in Hawaiʻi with an Airbnb to offer their home or room to displaced residents.

During evacuations last week, Airbnb granted Maui visitors full refunds under their Extenuating Circumstances Policy. Under the policy, guests and hosts are protected from adverse consequences in instances of war, invasions, epidemics, declared emergencies or natural disasters.

For more information, click here.

AP

As search and rescue efforts continue in Lāhainā, government officials warn West Maui residents to be aware of potential scams.

Several residents whose homes burned in the fires have reported that they were approached with buyouts from individuals posing as real estate agents.

"I would caution people that it’s going to be a very long time, before any growth, or housing can be built. And so, you would be pretty poorly informed if you try to steal land from our people and then build here," Gov. Josh Green said in Monday's press conference.

During this time, the state advises that all homeowners alert the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs if they are offered a deal for their land.

"If someone approaches you with a deal or offer, and you did not reach out to them first, please hang up the phone or walk away,” said Esther Brown, a complaints enforcement officer with the DCCA.

Homeowners can call the DCCA’s Consumer Resource Center at 808-587-4272 to verify the legitimacy of buyers.

Additionally, the FBI said fraudsters impersonating FEMA employees may be looking to retrieve personal information. Others might offer "government-funded temporary housing" with a small upfront fee to reserve a spot.

The FBI reminds residents that all government personnel should have official identification on them, which includes a number to call to verify employment.

Additionally, they warn that anyone offering to do quick repair work should be questioned. Residents can call an insurance company before hiring workers to verify that it is a legitimate business.

Maui County confirmed 99 fatalities as a result of the Lāhainā fire on Monday afternoon. About 25% of the burned area has been searched.

Officials added that starting tomorrow, the names of some of the deceased will be released.

"We understand that people want numbers. It's not a numbers game," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in a news conference. "Right now we're at 99 souls and families."

Anyone with missing loved ones should contact the Family Assistance Center at 275 Uhu Street, Kahului, or call the American Red Cross hotline at 1-800-733-2767.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced a coordinated donation center on Monday that will continue to support those affected by the fires. The center will be used to store, sort and inventory goods before it is sent out to the public.

Maui Police Department will no longer be issuing placards for West Maui entrance, according to a county press release on Monday.

The placards were going to be used as a way to monitor who was allowed into and out of the affected area starting Tuesday. West Maui residents, resort employees, first responders, medical and utility personnel, Maui County employees, supply transport employees and volunteers were among the people who were expected to get placards.

The county said the program was suspended due to overwhelming demand from non-essential and non-Maui residents.

As of Monday morning, the Lāhainā fire is still about 85% contained. The Upcountry Maui fire is 60% contained and the Puʻukoliʻi fire is extinguished.

Officials want to remind the public that even when a fire is reportedly 100% contained, that does not mean it has been extinguished. There must be no threat of additional burning before a fire is declared by crews as extinguished.

About 570 people stayed in shelters last night, according to the American Red Cross. Maui High School has closed its shelter.

The six shelters open today include:

• Hannibal Tavares Community Center
• War Memorial Gymnasium
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Kings Cathedral Church
• Grace Bible Church
• South Maui Community Park Gymnasium

Todd Grunow

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This weekend, the Maui-Lānaʻi Passenger Ferry resumed interisland service for the first time since the fire halted its route into Lahainā.

The ferry service is a lifeline for Lānaʻi residents. It provides access to medical care as well as for first responders traveling to the island. The ferry previously operated out of the Lāhainā Harbor.

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation worked to clear ash and debris from the Māʻalaea Harbor to accommodate the ferry instead.

A newly built ferry dock is one of the few structures in Lāhainā to have withstood the flames. But it will take time to clear sunken boats and debris from the water and resume ferry service there.

Read the full story here.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green

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As Sunday night came to a close, the Maui Police Department confirmed 96 fatalities as a result of the Lāhainā fire.

It is now the deadliest fire since 2018’s Camp Fire in California — and the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaiʻi history.

Fires in Lāhainā and Upcountry are still burning. The blaze in Kīhei still burns but has been 100% contained since Saturday, which means firefighters have closed a perimeter around the fire.

Tap water in Lāhainā and upper Kula areas are still unsafe to drink.

Gov. Josh Green signed afifth emergency proclamationrelated to the Maui and Big Island wildfires.

The latest proclamation suspends additional laws to help facilitate emergency response, recovery and rebuilding. Among them:

• Confirms health care facilities and professionals involved in the emergency response are immune from civil liability during the emergency period, except for willful misconduct, gross negligence or recklessness.
• Allows pharmacists to refill prescriptions for people directly affected by wildfire with up to a 30-day supply without a refill authorization from the prescriber.
• Lifts the $10 million cap on expenditure from the Major Disaster Fund.
• Discourages nonessential travel to West Maui to free up accommodations for displaced residents and emergency workers.

The disaster emergency relief period will continue through Aug. 31.

The Maui Police Department will issue access placards to expedite travel into West Maui. They will be required to enter the area starting Tuesday at 5 p.m.

MPD says it will issue placards to the following groups:

• West Maui residents
• West Maui resort employees
• First responders
• Medical and utility personnel
• Maui County employees
• Supply transport employees
• Volunteers

Placards can be obtained at Keōpūolani and Nāpili parks between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. starting Monday.
Residents must show proof of residency with a driver’s license or state identification card with a West Maui address. ID cards without an address will require an accompanying utility bill as proof of residency.

Personnel must show proof of employment through a valid company-issued ID card.

Volunteers will be granted 72-hour access passes. They will need to obtain a new placard once it expires.

Questions about the placards can be asked of on-site personnel at Keōpūolani and Nāpili parks.

West Maui residents and West Maui resort personnel will be allowed access to West Maui through Waiheʻe. All other placard holders must enter West Maui through Māʻalaea.

The only exit from West Maui will be through Māʻalaea for all residents and placard holders.

In a release, MPD said, "Public safety personnel have been working tirelessly to coordinate a thorough and respectful body recovery operation within the affected area. Our primary objective is to ensure the proper handling and identification of deceased individuals while maintaining the safety of the community and public safety personnel on the scene."

Limited access to the area has been granted since Friday. Health officials urge those returning to Lāhainā to use caution.

DLNR

The fire still burning in Upcountry Maui has destroyed 19 homes in the past five days.

Three homes were destroyed in Olinda and 16 were leveled in Kula. The fire has burned an estimated 678 acres and is 60% contained.

Maui County says hot spots in gulches and hard to reach places, plus fences and property lines, have made the fire difficult to contain.

There are currently three helicopters, four engines, two tankers and one utility on-site to fight the blaze.

Hawaiian Telcom said it has restored connectivity to about 10,000 customers in Kula and Makawao, and to several cell sites in Hosmer Grove at Haleakalā National Park.

The Lāhainā fire, estimated at 2,170 acres, is 85% contained, according to Maui County. Search and recovery efforts continue in the area.

No new fatalities have been reported, leaving the death count at 93.

The Upcountry/Kula, at approximately 678 acres, is 60% contained. Three helicopters have been deployed to fight the blaze. The fire has been difficult to contain because hot spots are in gulches and hard to reach places. Land divisions and fences have also presented challenges to firefighters.

The Pūlehu/Kīhei fire remains at 100% contained. That means firefighters have fully surrounded by perimeter, but have not extinguished the blaze.

The Puʻukoliʻi/Kāʻanapali fire that flared on Friday has been extinguished.

Hawaiʻi State Senate

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Flickr

County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Mitch Roth has provided guidance for individuals and organizations that want to help out on Maui. The tips are aimed at Big Island residents, but can be heeded by anyone off island.

Their five recommendations:

1. Contribute to high-impact organizations
2. Hold off on physical goods... for now
3. Help house those who are displaced
4. Share your talents when the time is right
5. Stay put until Maui is ready for us

Contribute to high-impact organizations. In a release, the county said after extensive discussions with Maui community leaders, money to established a community-focused organization will efficiently get money to where it will have the greatest influence. They include the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund, CNHA's Kākoʻo Maui Fund, and Maui United Way's Maui Fire Disaster Fund.

Hold off on physical goods... for now. The county acknowledges its local style to donate and give, but since there is no reliable distribution system in place, it is inadvisable.

Help house those who are displaced. The West Hawaiʻi Realtors Association has curated a housing inventory catalog on the Big Island and other real estate associations. It's open for people looking for housing, and those who can offer housing. Visit mauikokua.comfor more info.

Share your talents when the time is right. The recovery process is still in its early stages, but people with valuable skills sets — from architects and engineers to truckers and mental health specialists — have all offered their services. The offers have been acknowledged and will be engaged when the time is right.

Stay put until Maui is ready for us. Maui's resources are currently stretched thin. "Each individual sent over requires resources like food, fuel, and shelter that could otherwise support displaced residents."

Mayor Roth stood up the Hawaiʻi County Task Force for Maui County Recovery Assistance on Wednesday, then met with Maui County leaders, non-profit organizations and other community leaders on Thursday and have had ongoing discussions.

For a list of reliable places to donate, click here.

Maui County announced late Saturday that the number of confirmed fatalities stands at 93.

Two have been identified, but Maui Police did not release their names, pending notification of their families.

Firefighters continue to extinguish flare-ups in the Lāhainā and Upcountry Maui fires. Three structures in Olinda and 16 structures in Kula were destroyed in the Upcountry fire.

The County said the Pūlehi/Kīhei fire was declared 100% contained Saturday. That means the entire fire perimeter has been enclosed by a control line.

For Maui survivors, the American Red Cross emergency evacuation shelter at Maui High School in Kahului is being moved Sunday to the South Maui Gymnasium in Kīhei.

All activities at Kīhei Regional Park are canceled.

Haven Daley

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AP

At Saturday's press conference on Maui, Gov. Josh Green announced that the fatality rate has grown to 89, with many people still missing.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said that search-and-rescue dogs have only covered 3% of the burned debris so far. He added that this is the first day the dogs were allowed to search.

"Think about how hot and how humid it is. We can only go as fast as that animal can go," Pelletier said.

He added that he has requested 12 more search dogs from FEMA to speed up efforts. "We are bringing more and we're going to go fast," Pelletier said.

He added that every confirmed death is a "John or Jane Doe," meaning they are not identified on the scene.

Pelletier urged the public to give the search crews time and to not rely on the numbers. He admitted that he knows the death toll will be much higher in the coming days.

So far, thousands of dollars and resources have been donated to the evacuation efforts on Maui. More than 40,000 people have departed from Kahului, with about 700 people still waiting at the airport.

"This is the largest natural disaster we've ever experienced," Green said. "It's going to take an incredible amount of time to recover from this."

Maui Fire Chief Bradford Ventura said crews are still patrolling the edges of the fire that are in the brush and in the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the perimeter.

"We encourage people to stay out and stay away," Ventura said.

The state Department of Education announced that most Upcountry, South and Central Maui school students can return Wednesday.

Maui High School's start date is yet to be released and King Kekaulike High School remains closed until officials deem it safe.

School staff will return Monday to prepare. The DOE also announced it is enrolling students impacted by the wildfires immediately.

Families displaced from their homes will be eligible to enroll at a school under the McKinney-Vento Act— easing the enrollment process.

The DOE’s Distance Learning program will be available to impacted students.

Students enrolled in a Hawaiian immersion program at a Lāhainā school can enroll in another Kaiapuni program.

The DOE has also partnered with the Public School of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a state-wide nonprofit, to support impacted school communities.

For more information and updates on school reopenings, click here.

Maui County officials and police want to remind motorists that access to Lahaina from Maʻalaea is closed to the public.

Only verified residents are allowed to enter Lāhainā at the moment and must use access points in Waiheʻe and Kahakuloa on the north side of West Maui.

Honoapiʻilani Highway is now open following a traffic accident Friday. The highway can be used to exit west Maui through Maʻalaea.

The area continues to be barricaded as Maui Police Department authorizes vehicles. A checkpoint is set up at the intersection of Honoapiʻilani Highway and Lāhainā Bypass Road.

Friday was the first time residents and visitors with hotel reservations in Lāhainā could visit the burn area. Officials quickly closed the roads around 4 p.m. due to traffic concerns.

Rick Bowmer/AP

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AP

Maui County announced that the death toll as of Friday evening sits at 80 people.

As fire crews make progress toward extinguishing the Lāhainā fire completely, the county said that the area is now 85% contained. The Pūlehu fire is 80% contained. This is the first reported increase in almost two days.

More than 1,400 people were at the evacuation shelters on Friday, according to the county.

A small fire sparked briefly this evening in Kaʻanapali above Puʻukolii, but was reported to be 100% contained before 8:30 p.m.

County officials said that the Kaʻanapali fire was in the area where a county fueling station currently sits. It was supposed to distribute roughly 3,000 gallons of gas to 400 vehicles. However, no fuel is expected to be distributed Saturday.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

Maui County reopened access to certain parts of Lāhainā for residents with proof of residency in West Maui today. Visitors who had previous hotel reservations in the area will also be allowed limited access.

But the state Department of Health advises that there are still several health hazards in the area, including ash and debris.

They recommend wearing protective masks, goggles, gloves pants and close-toed shoes. Children are not recommended to enter areas with debris.

The DOH also said those who return from Lāhainā should change their clothes and shower before being in contact with children, kūpuna and people with prior health issues.

Katie Arrington works for the Recovery and Resiliency Division of Boulder County in Colorado. She coordinated disaster response for the Marshall Fire, which burned down more than 1,000 homes and businesses.

Arrington said Boulder health officials strongly advised against residents returning to the area in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

If people need to return, Arrington said it is essential that they wear protective clothing and masks.

"Get an N95 mask, not the COVID-19 paper mask, but an N95 mask. And wear full top-to-bottom clothing, closed-toed shoes. Full jeans, not leggings, and gloves. Gloves are gonna be critically important, especially if people end up sifting through the ash on their property looking for something," Arrington said.

In spite of the danger, Arrington said she understands why residents want to return to their homes to recover what they can.

"Grassroots efforts are gonna do what they need to do to make people feel whole again. Finding something they thought they lost forever, we found after the Marshall fire brought a lot of peace, peace to them. So just being as safe as you can and as covered as you can is the best I can offer," she said.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

The County of Maui has confirmed that 12 additional fatalities resulted from the Lāhainā fires. That puts the total count to 67.

Officials said that the Lāhainā fire is still not yet contained and that there are no further details regarding the death count at this point. At noon, verified residents and visitors could return to Lāhainā for the first time since the evacuation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, says funds to those affected by the Maui wildfires could be available within the next week.

President Biden made federal funds available to those affected by the disaster and to help with recovery efforts.

Robert Fenton, the FEMA administrator for Hawaiʻi, plans to set up recovery centers on Maui and inspect the damage done to homes. He said aid is available for rental assistance and repair costs to properties.

FEMA will also be going to shelters to help register those without internet access. To register for assistance, call 1-800-621-3362 or go to disasterassistance.gov.

U-Haul is also offering 30 days of free storage to Maui residents affected by the fires. Displaced families looking for a secure place to store belongings will have access to box containers or self-storage spaces.

Those looking to arrange storage should call 808-249-8041. U-Haul Maui is located at 424 Dairy Road in Kahului.

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente plans to provide their Mobile Health Vehicle to victims of the fires. Starting Saturday, the vehicle will be available at the Maui War Memorial Gym, free of charge.

For a list of reliable ways to donate to those affected by the Maui wildfires, click here.

Maui's Department of Water Supply has set up several potable water tankers in Upcountry and West Maui.

In Upcountry, there are tankers at Crater Road, Copp Road, Kula Fire Station, Rice Park, Kula Community Center and Keokea.

In West Maui, tankers are located at Lāhainā Baseyard, Lāhainā Gateway Shopping Center, Lāhainā Civic Center and Lāhainā Cannery Mall.

Residents and visitors are urged to be mindful of water use and to reduce outdoor water use. For emergency repairs and updates, residents are asked to call 808-270-7633.

There is currently a relief donation drive at the state Capitol on Oʻahu. The drive will be open until 2 p.m. Food, diapers and baby formula are the items most in need.

Anyone looking to help with recovery efforts can find a list of resources here.

DLNR

Maui County officials stated that crews are still working to contain the flare-ups on Maui, recruiting 21 additional firefighters from Honolulu Fire Department to help.

However, some cell phone service was reportedly available in West Maui. The county recommends individuals try to text, rather than call.

Access into Lāhainā via Maʻalaea will resume at noon today for residents and visitors with verification. The curfew for entering is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

There have been no further updates on the progress of managing the Lāhainā fires. As of Thursday, they were 80% contained.

The six emergency shelters open today include the War Memorial Gymnasium, Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Maui High School, King’s Cathedral Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Maui Lani and Grace Bible Church.

Residents can visit the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for food, water and clothes. The distribution center will also have a limited supply of baby products. Donations are being accepted at the War Memorial Complex from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

Power was restored to water pumping stations in Upcountry Maui as of 2:45 a.m., and water is expected to be restored after lines are flushed. The county will also resume its trash collection services today.

Additionally, a price freeze is in effect for the island of Maui as a result of the governor’s emergency declarations.

Mana Moriarty, the executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection, announced that all commodities must be sold at pre-emergency prices. Commodities are broadly defined as any good or service necessary for "health, safety and welfare." Items can include food, water, ice, gas and medical supplies.

Merchants who raise prices can face restitution payments and fines of up to $10,000, said Moriarty. The price freeze is scheduled to remain in effect until Aug. 31.

Gov. Josh Green

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Flickr

Maui County has confirmed 55 people have died due to the Lāhainā wildfire, as of Thursday night. Three fires on Maui remained active early Friday morning.

The road into Lāhainā remains closed as emergency response teams work to secure the area from hazards and recover bodies.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said the county’s priority is to connect families with those in shelters. They are also working to identify those who have died.

He wanted West Maui fire survivors to know that they could get back to their home "just as soon as we can try to provide the certainty that we have recovered those that have perished," he said.

"We're hoping to find people that might just be injured. A lot of time has passed since the incident," Bissen said. "So we're still in that phase, but please allow us to continue this process before we allow people back into their homes."

John Pelletier, the Maui County chief of police, said he needed three things from the community.

"We need your patience. We need your prayers, and we need your perseverance," Pelletier said. "Understand this. Lāhainā Town is hollowed sacred ground right now because our ʻiwi are in that ground. We have to get them out. We will get them out as fast as we can. But I need your patience while we do this. I know you need to get out there. I know. I know that you guys don't have some of the supplies, you don't have power. But we have to respect the fact that we've got loved ones in that earth."

Search and rescue teams from California and Washington are on their way to Maui with cadaver dogs to aid in the search.

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Wildfire wreckage is seen Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaiʻi.

Rick Bowmer / AP

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File - Wildfire wreckage is seen Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi.

Rick Bowmer / AP

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The fire has burned through cars and structures near the Lahaina coast.

Rick Bowmer / AP

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File - Buildings in Lāhainā have been shelled from the flames, leaving frail buildings and heavy ash on the land.

Rick Bowmer / AP

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An ariel view of Maui shows the land outside of town that was burned by the wildfires.

Rick Bowmer / AP

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People watch as smoke and flames fill the air on Front Street in Lahaina on Aug. 8, 2023.

Alan Dickar / AP

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The burnt wildfire wreckage of a boat is shown Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The search of the wildfire wreckage on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities as firefighters battled the stubborn blaze making it the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Rick Bowmer/AP / AP

To aid the island's destruction, Honolulu Fire Department announced that they will be deploying around 40 personnel to Maui this afternoon. The crew will include firefighters, incident management members, search and rescue specialists and more.

HFD said they will be sending equipment and supplies with the help of the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard and Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Electric added that they will also be sending out their crews today to begin clean-ups in West Maui. HECO has already deployed employees and resources from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Lānaʻi to begin restoration.

There are currently 12,400 Hawaiian Electric customers in West Maui still without power. HECO said they have made progress in restoring parts of Upcountry Maui and hope to continue to Lāhainā.

“Our main focus is maintaining the safety of our communities, customers and workforce and prioritizing power restoration to areas that our crews can safely access at this time,” said Shayna Decker, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson in a press release.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

Maui County officials have confirmed that 17 additional lives have been taken by the fires in Lāhainā. The total has risen to 53.

The county has not provided specific details on the deaths.

As of this morning, firefighters reported that about 80% of the Lāhainā fire and 70% of the Pūlehu fire were contained. However, there have been no reports of improvement since that update.

Additionally, an assistance center has opened at Kahului Community Center for family members who are looking for information about loved ones who are unaccounted for. Families can fill out forms with the Maui Emergency Management Agency at the center between the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

The wildfire that caused widespread damage in Lāhainā is reported to be 80% contained, according to Maui County. Fire crews have secured the perimeter of the fire.

Civil Air Control flyovers found that more than 270 structures were impacted by the fire. "Entry into Lāhainā remains restricted while the firefighting effort continues, with Lāhainā-bound vehicles being stopped on Honoapiʻilani Highway at Maʻalaea," said Maui County officials said in a press release.

However, Lāhainā remains without power as crews work to clear the roads of fallen trees and debris. Heavy equipment was used to create firebreaks through the night as firefighters secured the perimeter.

The Pūlehu fire is reportedly about 70% contained, as of Thursday morning.

Evacuation shelters at War Memorial Complex, Maui High School and Hannibal Tavares Community Center housed about 1,050 people Wednesday night, according to officials. Another 300 residents and visitors stayed at emergency evacuation shelters opened Wednesday night at Kingʻs Cathedral Maui and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Maui Lani.

Rick Bowmer

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AP

President Biden has ordered federal aid to supplement state funds for recovery efforts of those affected by the wildfires. His approval on Thursday officially declares Hawaiʻi a "disaster area."

Federal assistance includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses and more. Funds were also made available to select nonprofits for debris removal and protection.

"I pledge to spare no resources to combat the destructive wildfires, shelter the displaced, treat and bring comfort to the traumatized, support our first responders, restore communication lines, and enlist the aid of our federal and county partners to confront this once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe,” said Gov. Josh Green in a press release Thursday.

The White House announced that Maona N. Ngwira of the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been appointed to coordinate the funding.

Additionally, the governor has ordered that both the national and state flag be flown at half-staff. Non-essential government employees have been granted work leave from Thursday to Sunday. The leave does not apply to state disaster coordinators, disaster response workers, hospital workers and correctional workers.

Meanwhile, emergency departures from Maui continue to take place. A mass bus evacuation for residents and visitors in west Maui is set to resume at 8:30 a.m. today from Whalers Village, according to the County of Maui. Three large coach buses will take visitors to the airport and residents to a central Maui shelter.

Around 2,000 people were sheltered at Kahului Airport on Wednesday, reported the Associated Press. An evacuation center has been set up at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Oʻahu as well, which can hold up to 4,000 people.

HPR News Staff

At least 70 people arrived to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Oʻahu by bus Wednesday evening. A temporary evacuation center was set up there to give up to 4,000 people from Maui shelter and other services.

Other evacuees have found accommodations at Waikīkī hotels, officials said.

Lāhainā residents Elwira Mehlich and her 14-year-old daughter Heidi have been visiting Oʻahu from Maui since Monday. They say they don’t know if their home is still standing.

"We cannot go home. We don’t have a home. We live in Lāhainā... We cannot call the administrator from Sunset Terrace if it exists or not," Mehlich said.

"We are stuck here with two small bags. And my daughter should go to Lahainaluna (school). It was closed. We came here finally and to ask for support so we can stay here maybe in a hotel or whatever for seven days — five days until we really organize ourselves," she continued.

When residents can return home is unclear.

Read the full story here.

Ty O'Neil

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AP

Maui County has confirmed 36 people have died amid the active Lāhainā wildfire.

The county announced the fatalities in a written statement, and provided no other details.

Maui Fire Department reported no significant changes for the Lahaina, Upcountry and Pūlehu/Kīhei fires. It did not have containment numbers, and it expected to assess the situation at first light on Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, state and federal officials held a press conference Wednesday nightat the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu, which was being used as a shelter for displaced Maui visitors and residents.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the state Adjutant General and director of emergency management, said that the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency was primarily focused on search and rescue. He said Maui County would provide details on number of deaths and structure fires. He also said the decision for residents to return to their homes would be decided on the county level.

Sen. Mazie Hirono said she had been in contact with leaders in Homeland Security and the Small Business Administration. Federal Emergency Management Agency Region Nine Director Bob Fenton said it had already awarded five grants for firefighting support. FEMA was currently assessing the situation on the ground. A request to President Biden to declare a national disaster was being prepared, and if approved would open up opportunities for individual and business loans and funding.

Several local nonprofits have started raising money for recovery efforts. Local lawmakers are also hosting drives for donation drop offs.

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation has activated the Maui Strong Fund to support Maui County, state government and nonprofits in their recovery efforts. (Full disclosure: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation is an underwriter of HPR.)

The fund has been seeded with $1 million.

Nonprofits seeking funding can email a request to mauistrong@hcf-hawaii.org.
Individuals can donate at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong. There is a credit card processing fee, but HCF will not take an administrative fee and 100% of the money will be given to the service provider.

Maui United Way is accepting donations to its Maui Fire and Disaster Relief fund at https://mauiunitedway.org/disasterrelief.

HCF CEO and President Micah Kane said he was not surprised by the donations.

“Hawaiʻi is a very generous community. We've seen it during the pandemic. We've seen it on previous crisis that we participate in. I'm not surprised at all of the generosity that has stepped up in such a quick manner," Kane said. "I think we hit a million dollars in less than four hours. I anticipate that that will grow. And it just shows how much people care about their neighbors. Whether you're in the corporate arena, or you're an individual if you're in you know, on a different island. We care about those families."

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement–Hawaiian Way Fund and Alakaʻina has created aKākoʻo Maui fund. It has surpassed its $100,000 and is now aiming for $250,000.

This generosity may be exploited.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging donors to verify if charities are legitimate. Any charity that solicits donations in Hawaiʻi must be registered with the AG’s office.

Lopez encourages people to donate only to familiar foundations and to research any donation requests.

If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity, she said the best practice is to donate directly to that organization.

You can check the status of charities at charity.ehawaii.gov.

For a list of reliable ways to donate to those affected by the Maui wildfires, click here.

Hawaiʻi County reports that the remaining evacuation orders for the southern portion of Kohala Ranch on the Big Island have been lifted. Access is now available via the Kohala Mountain Road and Highway 270.

Evacuation orders for the Villas and South Fairways at Maunakea have also been lifted, and access to and from the resort area is now allowed. Guests at the resort are no longer required to shelter in place.

The Akoni Pule Highway closure between the 6 and 17-mile markers has been lifted as well. At this time, there are no closures of any major highways on Hawaiʻi Island as a result of the South Kohala brushfires.

The two brushfires that just flared up in Kaʻū in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala have been neutralized.

The Lalamilo fire in Waimea continues to be contained.

Big Island shelters will remain open through 8 p.m. August 9 at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela.

On Hawaiʻi Island, two new brush fires have sparked in Kaʻū — one in the Nāʻālehu Area and the other in Pāhala.

Hawaiʻi County officials state that fire crews are focusing on containing the Pāhala outbreak, as the Nāʻālehu fire appears to be "under control." Fires near Maunakea that have been ongoing since Tuesday are also in the process of containment, while guests at nearby hotels remain sheltered in place.

A previously sparked brush fire near the Akoni Pule Highway is now 60% contained, according to the county. Officials report that it still remains a threat to structures in the southern portion of Kohala Ranch. Access to the area is only made available via Kohala Mountain Road as the affected highway remains closed between mile markers 6-17.

The island, which has been on a red flag warning along with the other counties, will continue to be on fire watch. While Tuesday's Lalamilo fire in Waimea was been contained, crews say they will continue to watch for flare-ups.

Office of Gov. Josh Green

Six people have been confirmed dead from the wildfires, according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Wednesday morning.

He stated that there are currently more than 2,100 individuals occupying open shelters on the island. Three people have experienced burn-related injuries as firefighters continue to tackle the flames and smoke.

Bissen said he does not have the exact number of businesses destroyed in the fire.

"We are still in the assessment phase this morning now that we have light, ... but it's going to be a high number," Bissen said.

One firefighter who sustained smoke inhalation was sent to Oʻahu for care. Bissen said he is in stable condition.

The press conference was held at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to present updates from county mayors, safety officials and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke.

Luke is still filling in for Gov. Josh Green, as he is expected to return from his trip by midnight. "This is the entire state coming together to assist our family on Maui," Luke said at the press conference.

She said shelters are overflowing and resources are dwindling. She added that about 30 power lines are also down, leaving homes, hotels and shelters without electricity. At this time, officials say the Lāhainā fire is not yet under control.

Zeke Kalua

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County of Maui

Approximately 12 people who escaped into the ocean were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday evening. USCG said on X, formerly Twitter, that a 45-foot response boat from Station Maui rescued the individuals.

Maui County officials said people entered the waters due to smoke and fire conditions.

The fire was widespread in Lāhainā Town, including on Front Street, an area that is popular with tourists, County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin told the Associated Press by phone early Wednesday.

Officials report that at least 1,800 people were waiting at Kahului’s airport on Wednesday. The state plans to fly 4,000 tourists out of Maui to Oʻahu, according to Hawaii News Now. They are expected to be put up at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

Tony Webster

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Wikimedia

The American Red Cross has opened emergency shelters at Kīhei Community Center, Lāhainā Civic Center and in Pukalani at Hannibal Tavares Community Center.

An evacuation center at Maui High School was also set up Tuesday evening.

Those coming to the shelter are advised to bring essentials such as bedding, medicine, important documentation and personal protective equipment like masks and sanitizer.

Pet owners are asked to keep their animals properly restrained at the shelters. The Maui Humane Society in Puʻunene has opened its center to provide shelter to animals during this time.

Hannibal Tavares Community Center – 91 Pukalani St., Makawao, HI 96768.

Lahaina Civic Center – 1840 HI-30, Lāhainā, HI 96761.

Waimea District Park – 67-1315 Ala Ohia Road, Waimea, HI 96743

Hisaoka Gym – 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau, HI 96755

Maui Humane Society

The Maui Humane Society in Puʻunene is at full capacity after they announced pet owners could bring animals there as an emergency shelter from the fires.

The center is now looking for emergency foster homes, extra food and pop-up kennels to care for the overflow.

Staff and volunteers gathered at the Central Maui location last night to prepare for the incoming animals with dozens of kennels placed outside. A video on the Maui Humane Society's Instagram showed flames near the shelter, but heading south.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday morning, the shelter announced they were officially full, including dogs they saved directly from the fire.

They are now looking for S.O.S. foster homes. Owners do not need to be trained. The shelter is asking for those willing to take in animals to come to pick the animals up at 1350 Mehameha Loop.

They are also asking for donations of cat litter and Silver Sulfadiazine cream to treat infections caused by burn wounds.

Video courtesy of James Oritz

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen issued an emergency proclamation Tuesday evening around 9:45 p.m. in response to the growing brush fires. The proclamation allows the county to directly mitigate hazardous situations as they arise.

Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke is responding in place of Gov. Josh Green as he returns from his travels. Luke has taken several emergency actions to extend the state of emergency to all counties, discourage non-essential air travel to Maui and to order all affected state agencies to assist with the evacuation.

"The White House has been incredibly supportive, and we expect to submit a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration in the next 36 to 48 hours, once we know how vast the damage is," Green said in a press release Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz responded to the fires Wednesday morning, stating that they are "absolutely devastating."

"We will not know the full extent of the damage for a while. In the meantime, the highest priority is the safety of the people," Schatz said in a press release.

The senator said he has also been in touch with the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the governor, the lieutenant governor and county mayors to ensure that "maximum federal resources are deployed immediately and that we stand ready for the disaster recovery phase."

NOAA

Powerful winds and dry conditions from Hurricane Dora have barreled through the state over the past several days, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

Residents in Kula were evacuated from 4 to 5 a.m. Tuesday morning after a brush fire in the Olinda Road area was spotted.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, more than 50 residents were at the emergency shelter, according to the county.

Maui County reported a second brush fire in Kula around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, burning about 675 acres of land and two structures in the Olinda area.

Crews also responded to a brush fire at 6:37 a.m. near Lahainaluna Road on Tuesday. Shortly after, residents near Lāhainā Intermediate School were evacuated.

On Hawaiʻi Island, two brush fires sparked in both north and south Kohala. Hawaiʻi County officials have confirmed that multiple brushfires are continuing to burn along the South Kohala coastline.

Officials report that the Akoni Pule Highway brushfire is roughly 60% contained and remains a threat to structures in the southern portion of Kohala Ranch between Kamakani Loop and the highway.

Guests at the Mauna Kea Resort have been asked to shelter in place. Access to the resort remains closed.

Hawaiʻi Island shelters have opened at Hisaoka Park in Kapaʻau and Waimea Community Center in Kamuela.

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