Adia White

Off the coast of Lahaina, researchers are on the lookout for humpback whales that come to the islands every year around this time to breed. HPR contributor Adia White joined a Whale Trust crew on their new boat to find and record a special whale song. Both of the nonprofit's research vessels were moored in the Lahaina harbor the day the August wildfire swept through.

Two years ago Antonio Tejada accomplished his lifelong dream — to leave Brazil and move to Hawai’i. He settled in Lahaina and worked in the kitchens of some of the town's most popular oceanfront restaurants. But on Aug. 8, he lost everything. HPR contributor Adia White has more.

The outreach group A Cup of Cold Water now serves about 40 unsheltered people in Kīhei, 80 to 100 in Central Maui, and 60 to 80 in West Maui. Volunteers are unsure if the population will surpass where it used to be before the fires, but they say their services will continue regardless. HPR contributor Adia White has more from Maui.

The Red Cross’ non-congregate shelter program is housing families in hotels primarily. While case managers can help those enrolled with navigating resources, the program does not offer permanent housing.

Maui residents are being saturated with advertisements for legal services in the wake of the Lāhainā and upcountry wildfires. Ads have appeared on TV, radio and social media. But officials are cautioning survivors to be wary of legal fraud, and those who would take advantage of them when they are most vulnerable.

Although no two towns' disasters are the same, some survivors of the Camp Fire feel they are watching a replay of the worst day of their lives. A few shared their experiences in hopes of offering some insight, or at least understanding. Adia White reports from Maui with the latest.