Maui County

Mauiʻs housing shortage is in crisis. As Lahaina residents are shuffled between temporary housing options, calls are getting louder to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing. What would that take? And is it even possible? HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports.

The County of Maui is urging residents, visitors, hotels and other businesses in South Maui to conserve water. The county Department of Water Supply said there is a high water demand in the Kīhei, Wailea and Mākena areas.

Gov. Josh Green has announced a new $150 million fund for those who lost family members or suffered serious injuries in the fires that swept through West Maui three months ago. Recipients of the fund would not be able to file legal claims related to the fire, including against the initial supporters of the fund: the state, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric and Kamehameha Schools.

Drought conditions across Upcountry Maui have prompted the county to update its water shortage status for the unforeseeable future. Demand for water in the area currently exceeds supply by 20% — which moves its status from Stage 1 to Stage 2, county officials said Thursday.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has given the go-ahead to use the 53-acre Olowalu landfill to store fire debris from the August wildfires. Maui County requested to use the landfill, which it argued would provide logistical benefits for debris cleanup.

Maui County is requesting to dispose of debris from the Aug. 8 fires in a spot close to the closed Olowalu landfill, which is about 5 miles from the impact zone.

Mayor Richard Bissen says workers are ready to return to their jobs while acknowledging that's not true for everyone. He says those who aren’t prepared to go back to work should talk to their employers and continue to seek the help and attention that they need. He says residents who have been staying in hotels after losing their homes won’t lose their lodging because of the reopening.

Maui County’s Department of Water Supply has proposed three types of billing categories for customers affected by the island’s August wildfires.

Maui County has released audio of 911 calls made during a deadly August wildfire in response to a public records request from The Associated Press. The two hours of recordings obtained late Thursday add another layer to what is known about the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, illustrating the chaos and panic as people tried to flee to safety.

Maui County has approved the Environmental Protection Agency’s use of a soil sealant in Lāhainā, despite some residents' concerns. But as HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports, officials are more concerned about what happens if toxic ash isn't sealed down.