Maui Wildfire Update – September 19 as of 12 p.m.
Aloha,
Here are the latest Maui wildfire news, updates, and resources you need to know.
The community remains divided on the return of tourism to West Maui.
- In an interview with CBS News, Gov. Josh Green called on visitors to return to West Maui once it reopens on October 8.
- Jordan Ruidas, a resident and community organizer, said she and others know that West Maui will eventually need to open, but “government officials have not hit certain benchmarks that a lot of us working class, Lahaina locals feel like we need before we can even start to get back to some kind of normalcy.”
- Noah Drazkowski, born and raised in West Maui, said it’s a difficult situation, “but as a business owner, I know that we need it. I know that our families need it. You know, we need to be able to get back to some kind of normalcy to help push forward.”
- The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is seeking a contractor to develop a Tourism Recovery Plan that supports Maui and the state in rebuilding the economy.
Concerns about temporary housing and mortgage payments are rising.
- Adrianne Todman, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said, “This is always the most difficult moment in a disaster recovery, to make sure that interim housing is meeting the moment.” Todman spoke with Bloomberg CityLab about her experience visiting Maui and next steps in the recovery.
- Some Lahaina residents who lost their homes say the transition to temporary housing as hotels prepare to welcome visitors back to West Maui is traumatizing.
- Bank of Hawai‘i, American Savings Bank, Central Pacific Bank and First Hawaiian Bank are among the local lenders pledging a 90-day mortgage forbearance for Maui homeowners who lost their homes in the fires.
Authorities continue to monitor the environmental impacts of the fire as residents are ready to return to Lahaina.
- The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources is using sophisticated equipment from the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor water quality off the coast of Lahaina.
- While early results do not show evidence of poor air quality or any hazardous levels of contaminants in the air, experts say the public should be “extremely guarded about breathing Lahaina’s air.”
State lawmaker calls for a sharper focus on Maui recovery fund distribution.
- House Speaker Scott Saiki has asked Gov. Green and Attorney General Anne Lopez to issue an emergency proclamation to prohibit and criminalize fraudulent fundraising and institute an auditing process to ensure funds raised for Maui wildfire relief go to victims.
More stories from firefighters and survivors illustrate the depth of trauma and the challenging road toward recovery.
- Lahaina firefighters recall racing to hold back the fire and save lives, making challenging decisions about when to fight and retreat, all while their homes were lost.
- Residents share their experiences following the deadly fire and reckon with the long, complicated journey toward recovery.
- Lahaina resident Shaun “Buge” Saribay fought with a handful of friends to save homes after his own burned.
In good news…
- The University of Hawai‘i will offer full scholarships to every Lahainaluna High School senior to support them in their recovery from the Lahaina wildfire disaster.
Mahalo nui loa,
Your BG Team