Maui Wildfire Update – August 30 as of 1 p.m.
Aloha,
Here are the latest Maui wildfire news, updates, and resources you need to know.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began removing hazardous materials in the disaster area.
- The EPA said it has given health and safety training on hazardous material to about 25 cultural leaders from the Maui community who will embed with EPA teams to monitor the operations.
- Once hazardous materials are removed, and safety assessments on structures are complete, people and business owners will be allowed to return to their properties. The effort will likely take months to complete.
- After removing hazardous materials, the US Army Corps of Engineers will lead the effort to remove debris. Officials say they will handle this phase with the same cultural sensitivities.
Maui County, HECO and state officials assure the public they will work together ahead of the fire weather watch issued for leeward areas of all islands on Thursday.
- Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, adjutant general of the Hawai‘i Department of Defense, Maui Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr., and Shelee Kimura, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, stated: “With high winds and severe drought conditions continuing to threaten parts of Maui, we are working together to minimize the risk of wildfire and ensure public safety.”
- The Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an editorial urging Maui and HECO to work together.
- President Biden has pledged $95 million to help strengthen Hawai‘i’s electrical grid. The funds will be provided through the bipartisan infrastructure law, the $1.2 trillion package he signed into law in 2021.
Maui County officials declined to share more details about the wildfire emergency response.
- County officials say they won’t speculate on the details. A detailed account of the emergency response is pending litigation, ongoing investigations and an after-action report.
- Mayor Bissen said he’s unsure who was in charge of the county’s Emergency Management Center the day the deadly fire began. The former Maui Emergency Management Administrator was not on the island.
- When asked if there was anything more the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency could have done, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara said, “Personally, I don’t think so. That fire was so rapid, and by the time everyone had situational awareness it was too late. Unfortunately. That’s all I’m going to say.”
The Build Beyond Barriers Working Group held its first public meeting yesterday.
- Governor Green and the state's emergency housing development approval panel emphasized rebuilding Lāhainā was not the focus of the meeting and that “Lahaina will be rebuilt how the people of Lahaina and Maui want.”
- The panel has received six applications, four from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
- Much of yesterday’s testimony focused on concerns over the process and adhering to the state’s sunshine law.
Support for Maui continues and will be needed on the long road to recovery.
- Maui United Way is working quickly to provide financial assistance to local nonprofits and individuals affected by the wildfires on the Valley Isle. You can support this effort by donating to the Maui Fire and Disaster Relief Fund.
- ProsPac Holdings made a generous $100,000 contribution to the Maui Food Bank.
- You can support Maui by shopping from local businesses.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team