Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Survivor Case Management from State
The Hawaii Department of Human Services has handed control of the Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program to Maui County, effective August 7, 2026. The transition is designed to strengthen local coordination as survivors prepare for the end of FEMA temporary housing assistance in February 2027. Maui County now leads the Disaster Case Management Program previously […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire, Commercial Rebuilding Lags Far Behind
Multiple sources, citing Grassroot Institute of Hawaii analyst Jonathan Helton, report that Lahaina’s recovery remains severely limited three years after the August 2023 wildfires. While roughly 220 homes have been rebuilt, non-residential and multifamily reconstruction has barely begun, with only 13 completed non-residential permits and fewer than 30 issued in total. The August 8, 2023 […]
Lahaina Marks Three Years Since Devastating 2023 Wildfire
Lahaina residents and community members observed the third anniversary of the August 2023 wildfire on Saturday, reflecting on ongoing grief while noting early signs of community rebuilding and return. Three years after the fire, many Lahaina residents say they still lack closure, with friends who lost lives and homes still unresolved. The Lahaina United Methodist […]
Maui County Takes Over State Wildfire Case Management Program
The Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program has shifted from state to county leadership, with Maui County now coordinating recovery support for wildfire survivors. A key focus will be preparing residents for the end of FEMA Temporary Housing Assistance in February 2027. Gov. Green and Mayor Bissen announced the program transition from the Hawaii Dept. of […]
Lahaina Marks Three Years Since Wildfires with Community Remembrance Event
Multiple sources reported on the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires, which killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of structures in Lahaina. Maui County hosted a free all-day community gathering called ‘Kuhinia Maui’ on August 8, 2026, bringing together residents for music, cultural activities, and reflection. The event signaled continued […]
HEI Posts $123M Q2 Profit Driven by Wildfire Settlement Accounting Shift
Multiple sources report that Hawaiian Electric Industries posted a $123 million second-quarter profit for 2026, largely due to a noncash accounting adjustment tied to the Maui wildfire settlement. The boost stemmed from remeasuring the company’s remaining settlement obligations to present value after the $4 billion settlement received final court approval, reducing the recorded liability by […]
Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Disaster Case Management from State
The Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program has shifted from state to county leadership as of August 7, 2026. The transition aims to strengthen local coordination ahead of FEMA’s Temporary Housing Assistance program ending in February 2027. Maui County is now leading the Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program, previously run by the Hawaii Department of Human […]
Lahaina Commercial Rebuilds Stalled by Permit Backlogs Despite County Optimism
Despite a county meeting celebrating rebuilding progress, only two commercial permits have been issued in Lahaina nearly three years after the 2023 wildfire. Permit delays tied to unclear documentation requirements, historic preservation reviews, and shoreline setback rules continue to block most projects. Only two commercial permits have been issued in Lahaina to date, with dozens […]
Lights for Lahaina Memorial Event Set for Sept. 11–12 in Historic Town
The Lights for Lahaina community gathering returns for its second year on September 11–12, with free public events including live music, a candlelight march, food vendors, and cultural activities in Lahaina. The two-day event is organized by nonprofit Aloha Amplified and sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and County of Maui. Lights for […]
One ‘Ohana Fund Distributes Full $175M to Maui Wildfire Victims
Governor Green announced the One ‘Ohana Fund has offered its entire $175 million to families of the 102 people killed and individuals seriously injured in the 2023 Maui wildfires. Over $155.7 million has been paid out so far, with remaining injury claimants facing an August 15, 2026 acceptance deadline. All 102 death claims across both […]