Proposal Urges Hawaii to Formalize Volunteer Boat Network for Disaster Relief
A Civil Beat opinion piece calls on Hawaii to create an organized volunteer small-boat program to support disaster relief efforts, citing the 2023 Lahaina fire and recent hurricane activity as evidence of the need. The author argues that informal boat-owner responses have already proven effective but lack coordination and a formal plan. During the 2023 […]
Lahainaluna and Paradise High Schools Play ‘Unity Bowl’ in West Maui
The football teams of Lahainaluna High School and Paradise High School — both from wildfire-devastated communities — faced off Saturday in a symbolic game called the ‘Unity Bowl’ at Lahainaluna’s stadium. The event drew about 1,900 attendees and several elected officials, with Lahainaluna winning 27-21. Lahainaluna High School hosted Paradise High School (California) for a […]
Lahaina Fire Survivors Hit New Snag: USPS Treating Rebuilt Homes as New Developments
Multiple reports from Hawaii Public Radio highlight a new obstacle facing Lahaina wildfire survivors who have rebuilt their homes: the U.S. Postal Service is classifying rebuilt properties as new developments, requiring cluster mailboxes instead of restoring individual home mail delivery. Maui County and federal officials are pushing back, arguing the policy is both impractical and […]
Nonprofit Launches Free Rain Catchment Program for 120 West Maui Fire-Affected Homes
The Hua Momona Foundation is distributing free, portable rain catchment systems and training to 120 West Maui households as part of its ongoing Lahaina wildfire recovery efforts. The renter-friendly kits are funded by a Hawaiʻi Community Foundation grant and are designed to support water resilience and backyard food production. 120 West Maui households will receive […]
West Maui Nonprofit Distributes Free Rain Catchment Kits to 120 Homes
Hua Momona Foundation, funded by the Maui Strong Fund, is providing free rainwater catchment systems to 120 West Maui households as part of a post-fire resilience initiative. The portable, renter-friendly kits include equipment, soil amendments, and hands-on installation training. The Rain to Resilience program will distribute free rainwater catchment kits — including barrels, irrigation parts, […]
Lahaina Survivors Lose Hundreds of Thousands to Contractor Fraud, No Charges Filed
Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors report losing large sums to contractors who abandoned projects or misused funds, yet no criminal charges, license revocations, or fines have been issued. Maui County prosecutors say they are actively investigating and are urging victims to come forward. Survivors report contractors taking hundreds of thousands of dollars then stopping work […]
Contractor Fraud Draining Lahaina Rebuild Funds, No Criminal Cases Filed
Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors since the 2023 fire. Despite at least 10 police reports and multiple state complaints, no criminal charges, fines, or license revocations have been issued. Individual homeowners have lost between $20,000 and $650,000 to contractors who abandoned projects or […]
Mayor Presses USPS to Restore Door-to-Door Mail for Lahaina Rebuild Residents
Multiple sources report that Maui Mayor Richard Bissen sent a formal letter on September 2, 2026, to U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner urging the USPS to preserve and restore direct home mail delivery for Lahaina residents whose homes were destroyed in the 2023 wildfires and are now being rebuilt. Bissen argues that reconstructed homes on […]
NCL, Princess Cruises Pull Maui Port Stops Amid Wildfire Recovery
Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have suspended Maui port calls on their Hawaii itineraries in the wake of the Lahaina wildfires, rerouting ships to Hilo, Kauai, and Kona instead. NCL says the change applies to at least three upcoming Pride of America voyages, with resumption potentially weeks to months away. NCL America has removed […]
Maui Restaurant Group Funnels Dining Donations to Lahaina Recovery Nonprofits
Hana Hou Hospitality Group is donating round-up proceeds from its Maui restaurants to rotating Lahaina-area nonprofits throughout 2026. This month’s beneficiary is Kahākūkahi Ocean Academy, with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation slated for October. Hana Hou Hospitality Group — which operates Māla Ocean Tavern, Coco Deck Lahaina, Pizza Paradiso, and Pineapple Robot — rounds up guest […]