Maui Wildfire Update – August 22 at 3 p.m.
Aloha,
Here are the latest Maui wildfire news, updates, and resources you need to know.
Maui’s recovery and relief efforts continue.
- The Maui Fire Department says there are “no active fire threats” as containment percentages for the Lāhainā, Olinda and Kula fires remain relatively unchanged.
- As of noon today, search teams have transitioned to searching multi-story residential and commercial properties.
- There are 115 confirmed fatalities, and the best estimate of reported unaccounted individuals is now 1,100, with 87% of the impacted area searched.
- Officials urge those missing loved ones to provide a DNA sample and stress all the samples will only be used to help reunite families.
- Hawaiian Electric has installed a second mobile substation in Lāhainā, and crews will be working to build new distribution lines to complete restoration to customers in the Launiupoko to Olowalu area.
President Biden vows to “rebuild the way people of Maui want to rebuild.”
- In his remarks during his visit to Maui, President Biden expressed that the federal government will stand with the community on the long road to recovery in the coming months and years.
- Reactions to the presidential visit have been mixed. Some say it was too little, too late, while others were grateful for the show of support.
Local leadership is under the national spotlight as government officials face complex decisions about how to move forward from the crisis loom.
- In an interview with The New York Times, Gov. Green acknowledged his leadership will be put to the test.
- The Hawai‘i Legislature will likely hold a special session in response to the Maui wildfires, but Senate and House leaders say it’s premature to schedule one.
Local organizations continue to rally support for Maui fire relief and recovery efforts.
- Maui Ola, a benefit concert for Maui that Bennet Group was honored to support, raised nearly $1 million for Maui United Way, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Hawaii People’s Fund and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement during a telethon on Sunday evening.
- Maui United Way is offering $1,000 in emergency financial assistance to adults directly impacted by the disaster. Donations to Maui United Way and Aloha United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund are encouraged.
- As of yesterday, $56,616,592 has been donated to Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team