 of the devastating wildfires that burned through Lahaina and parts of Kula, Maui, it is natural to pause and reflect.){kind=link}
As we approach the one-year hoʻomanaʻo (remembrance) of the devastating wildfires that burned through Lahaina and parts of Kula, Maui, it is natural to pause and reflect. Healing from the trauma of that terrible day, and the immeasurable grief and loss experienced, will take a lifetime. And those directly impacted, and the community that rushed to their aid, are forever changed.
But in that darkest of times, ke kū nō a Maui. Maui still stands. Like a phoenix, her people have risen from the ashes demonstrating unwavering courage, resilience and aloha. Longtime community leaders, and new leaders who emerged in the aftermath, are all playing a role in helping their people, and ʻāina, to recover.
While much progress has been made, years of work remain. Secure, stable housing is the greatest challenge and many organizations – government, private and nonprofit – are bringing a range of solutions forward to keep people housed and on Maui until Lahaina can be rebuilt. But there are still people falling through the cracks and resources are spread thin.
And even as rebuilding begins, the spectre of wildfires and other climate disasters loom as global warming and decades of poor land management practices continue to threaten. Last month, wildfires burned 1,600 acres at Kokeʻe, Kauaʻi, and 574 acres on the slope of Haleakalā, Maui.
We need to think and behave differently to protect nā mamo o Hawaiʻi. Lahaina’s future is still being written. In the rebuilding, will Indigenous ʻike be integrated into the recovery? Can we recreate some of what was lost from a century and a half of sugar plantations, resort development and water theft? Can Lahaina become, once again, the ʻāina momona known as “ka malu ʻulu o Lele?”
- Hundreds of Lahaina Archival Photos and Documents Preserved
- Kākoʻo Maui Offers Housing Programs for Wildfire Survivors
- Keeping Lahaina Lands in Lahaina Hands
Lahaina News Briefs
Assistance Program
The lack of affordable housing is an issue across Hawaiʻi, but last year’s wildfires exacerbated an already serious housing shortage for Maui residents prompting multiple efforts to address the problem.
One solution is Maui County’s ʻOhana Assistance Program which launched on July 1.
The program provides grants of up to $100,000 to help residential property owners build accessory dwellings. The council enacted the program through its passage of both the fiscal year 2024 budget – which provided $2.75 million – and Bill 38, introduced by Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee to establish the program’s standards and criteria.
“Creating new residential housing is a top priority for the council, especially since the August 2023 wildfires,” Lee said. “This first year [of the ʻOhana Assistance Program] is considered a pilot program, but based on the hundreds of inquiries we’ve received, it will likely be well funded for years to come.”
Program administration will be the responsibility of the county’s Department of Housing.
A contract has been executed with Lōkahi Pacific to manage the program on behalf of the county. Lōkahi Pacific is a nonprofit organization focused on local housing and community development. Applications for the grants are available on their website.
For more information or to apply: lokahipacific.org.
Bill 38, CD1, FD2 (2023) was enacted as Ordinance 5601. See: tinyurl.com/OhanaAssistance.
Fire Debris May be Stored in Olowalu Longer Than Expected
Maui County plans to build a permanent landfill for the debris as soon as possible in Central Maui. However, that may not happen for a while. In June, Honolulu Civil Beat reported that a prolonged legal battle is delaying Maui County’s ability to acquire the land in Puʻunene that it chose in April as the permanent site for the debris. The eminent domain case over a 20-acre parcel owned by Komar Maui Properties is moving to federal court with a jury trial scheduled in September.
There is no good place in Hawaiʻi to store the estimated 400,000 cubic yards of toxic fire debris left behind by the Lahaina wildfire. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has described the volume of debris as being equivalent to five football fields stacked five stories high.
Every moku in our pae ʻāina includes wahi pana (storied places) with lineal descendants, specific moʻolelo, and cultural and historic sites. And our islands are formed of porous volcanic rock that filters freshwater into our aquifers and includes underground lava tubes and stream systems that eventually lead to the ocean.
So when Maui County officials made the difficult decision in January approving Olowalu as the site of a temporary landfill to store fire debris, no one was happy.
Olowalu was a traditional puʻuhonua (place of refuge) and includes a complex of sacred sites. Just ma kai of the temporary landfill is a 1,000-acre coral reef that is home to the largest known hāhālua (manta ray) population in Hawaiʻi as well as an array of rare coral species.
More than 30 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that all landfills eventually leak.
FEMA Support Continues
Since August 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $429.9 million in assistance for more than 7,100 households and continues to work with Maui County, the state, and federal and nonprofit partners to help Maui residents continue their recovery.
FEMA is now reaching out directly to homeowners and have committed to help interested homeowners place temporary housing units on their property while they rebuild permanent homes.
More than 1,200 households are taking advantage of FEMA’s Direct Lease program. Direct Lease units, which FEMA pays for, are being offered through February 2025, meanwhile FEMA’s Rental Assistance program is still available.
FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program offers support for uninsured or underinsured personal property losses. Go to www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/guide-femas-other-needs-assistance.
Survivors should keep their contact information current with FEMA to avoid delay of services/assistance. To update information, or for info regarding any of these programs, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Events Planned to Mark One Year Since the Wildfires
A series of events marking one-year since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires will pay tribute to the 102 victims and the two that remain missing. The events are intended to honor the resiliency of the Maui community and offer residents opportunities to gather in healing and shared support.
Presented as Kuhinia Maui, the events will take place Aug. 8–11, 2024.
“Kuhinia Maui takes its name from a line in a traditional chant that proudly speaks of the unequaled beauty and richness of Maui, highlighting that Maui and its people will rebound from tragedy,” said Mayor Richard Bissen.
“Our community is strongest when we’re able to support each other, and I’m grateful for those involved who are helping to put together a remarkable number of gatherings that will give our community a chance to be among each other in care and aloha during a week of remembrance and I’m pleased that the county can offer support for these community-driven events.”
For more information visit www.KuhiniaMaui.org or email Daryl Fujiwara at aloha@kuhiniamaui.org. The website will be updated regularly and signing up for text notifications is encouraged.
- August 8, 9:00 a.m. – Paddle Out at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park, Lahaina
- August 8, 10:00 a.m. – Upcountry Aloha Luncheon at Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Pukalani
- August 8, 5:00 p.m. – One-Year Tribute and Remembrance at Lahaina Civic Center (no media)
- August 9, 9:00 a.m. – Aloha for Kūpuna of Lahaina at Lahaina Civic Center
- August 9, 6:00 p.m. – Puana Aloha No Lahaina musical tribute at Lahaina Civic Center
- August 10, 1:00 p.m. – Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele stage production at Baldwin High School Auditorium
- August 10, 5:00 p.m. – Lahaina Obon Festival (location TBA)
- August 11, 10:00 a.m. – A Day of Hope and Prayer interfaith gathering at Lahaina Civic Center
- August 11, 5:00 p.m. – Upcountry Aloha at Oskie Rice Arena, Makawao