Maui Wildfire Update – September 13 as of 12 p.m.
Aloha,
Here are the latest Maui wildfire news, updates and resources you need to know.
Some restrictions are lifted as Maui County continues to search for unaccounted individuals and battle the Olina fire.
- Officials removed restrictions for certain business zones in the disaster area but warned that many dangers, such as smoke, ash and dust, still exist. Many businesses hope to reopen despite daunting challenges.
- Maui County removed Zone 1 from the Unsafe Water Advisory for Upper Kula, which includes most of the community.
- The Maui Police Department said that the number of unaccounted for stands at 41 as of yesterday.
- Firefighters continue to battle flames and monitor for flare-ups in the Olinda fire.
- During an hour-long conversation on Hawai‘i News Now’s Spotlight Now, Governor Green shared updates about efforts to support Maui’s recovery.
Efforts to transition displaced residents to long-term housing continue.
- Residents displaced by the Maui wildfires have until this Friday to sign up for temporary housing through the American Red Cross.
- Over 7,800 people are housed across 32 hotels, and approximately 1,100 are in Airbnbs across Maui. Gov. Green said Sept. 29 is when the state is expected to transition most displaced residents to longer-term housing. Some people worry residents won’t have a place to live once West Maui reopens on Oct. 8.
- The state has a contract with the Red Cross to house people at least through May 2024.
Hawaiian Electric reaffirms its commitment to Maui as another lawsuit is filed and the U.S. Secretary of Energy pledged federal support for recovery.
- Hawaiian Electric may be asking customers to pay for damage and recovery from the Maui wildfires, but it’s up to the Public Utilities Commission to decide whether or not ratepayers will share a burden of the cost.
- The U.S. Secretary of Energy said she would like to see the “undergrounding” of electric lines. Hawaiian Electric recently received a $95 million federal grant to improve its grid and equipment in the wake of devastating wildfires on Maui.
- KITV4 reported the newest lawsuit against HECO was initiated by some individuals who have or currently serve on its board of directors.
More survivors recount horrifying experiences of fleeing Lāhainā and the challenges of starting over.
- The New York Times shared one family’s heartbreaking account of escaping the deadly wildfire.
- Survivors find it difficult to think about the future and are only beginning to process what happened.
- ABC News has launched “Maui’s Resilience,” an interactive website sharing stories about victims, survivors and the path to the island’s recovery.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team