Maui Wildfire Update – August 29 at 2 p.m.
Aloha,
Here are the latest Maui wildfire news, updates, and resources you need to know.
Officials deemed the search and rescue on land complete and efforts will now shift to removing hazardous waste and debris from the devastated area.
- HI-EMA JIC public information officer Jon Heggie said that once the entire burn area has been surveyed, recovery efforts will transition to a new, more challenging phase of locating and identifying fire victims from fragments and ash.
- Divers from the Maui Fire Department, Navy and Coast Guard continue to search the waters off Lāhainā, including sunken vessels.
- EPA teams on Monday began the removal of hazardous materials such as fuels, solvents, pesticides, ammunition, lithium-ion batteries, household materials, and asbestos.
Gov. Josh Green reported that 6,000 displaced residents are staying in hotels and rentals while reaffirming his commitment to providing shelter and housing.
- The Family Assistance Center at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is serving as a one-stop shop of resources and services for those affected by the wildfires and includes major agencies such as FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
- Alan Lloyd, an organizer with the Maui Tenants Association, said over the last week, the group’s hotline has received 10 to 15 calls daily from renters who say they’ve received notices to vacate.
- As of this morning, FEMA has approved 4,232 individual assistance applications and $16 million in support, with more on the way from the government and nonprofit organizations.
The Department of Education is holding community meetings to discuss the latest updates for reopening schools and providing educational opportunities in West Maui.
- Maui families and community members are invited to meet with principals of Lahaina public schools and Hawaiʻi Department of Education leaders tomorrow at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- As of Monday, nearly 60 percent of the 3,000 public school students in Lāhainā had not enrolled in another public school. DOE advised students to take the bus to schools elsewhere on Maui or enroll in remote learning.
- Kamehameha Schools said it is waiving tuition and bus fees for approximately 1,300 Maui students in preschool through 12th grade.
The cause of the deadly wildfire is still unknown.
- U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fires that burned through the town on Maui’s west side.
- Local officials and Hawaiian Electric are at odds over whether a single fire broke out or if there were two.
- As HECO looks to restore power to Lāhainā, it intends to carry out several upgrades, such as replacing copper wires with aluminum, making poles more fire-resistant, installing sensors and cameras to detect equipment problems, and adding more automatic shut-off mechanisms.
West Maui residents are wary of disaster impacts on air, land and more.
- According to the state’s Department of Health, “toxic contaminants present in debris and ash” remain a top hazard concern in Lāhainā.
- The state Attorney General’s office is asking property owners in Lāhainā and Kula to report any unsolicited offers to purchase an interest in their property.
- Those in need of assistance should watch out for help that seems too good to be true, and those wanting to help should work with trusted organizations.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team