100 Lahaina Fire Survivor Families Approved for County Homebuyer Program
Maui County’s Ho’okumu Hou program has now issued shopping letters to 100 fire-survivor households, each eligible for up to $600,000 to purchase a home. So far, 43 homes have been bought through the federally funded program, totaling over $24 million awarded. 100 Lahaina fire-survivor families have now received home-shopping approval letters through the Ho’okumu Hou […]
Maui County and Kamehameha Schools Plan Joint Control of Lahaina Water System
The County of Maui and Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha have proposed an agreement to transfer the Launiupoko Irrigation Company system to public county ownership as part of West Maui’s ongoing recovery. The partnership aims to bring key water infrastructure under public trust to support housing, emergency response, and community rebuilding. Kamehameha Schools would transfer its […]
Lahaina’s Fire-Displaced Elementary School Won’t Have Permanent Home Until 2029
King Kamehameha III Elementary School, burned in the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, remains in a deteriorating temporary modular campus in Kapalua. A new $162 million permanent school is planned for a Ku’ia site, with an estimated opening date of 2029. Students and staff have been operating out of a $78.8 million temporary modular campus in Kapalua […]
Lahaina Interim Marketplace ‘Ulu o Lele Opens Nov. 10 with Free Concert
The County of Maui and Hawaiian Council will open ‘Ulu o Lele, a temporary marketplace for local businesses, at the former Outlets of Maui site on November 10. The free public event runs from 1–8 p.m., with a Common Kings concert to follow. The ~3-acre interim marketplace is designed to restore commercial activity in Lahaina […]
FEMA Aid Open to Maui Nonprofits Hit by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell
Multiple sources report that FEMA’s Public Assistance program is now available to private nonprofit organizations in Maui County affected by Hurricane Lala (August 14–16, 2026) and Hurricane Lowell (September 6–9, 2026). Eligible organizations can receive reimbursement for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and restoration of damaged facilities. The deadline to file a Request for Public […]
West Maui’s Olowalu Fire Station Pushed to Fall 2027 After Steel Tariff Adds $300K
A planned fire station in Olowalu, West Maui has been delayed and faces a $300,000 budget shortfall due to tariffs on Canadian steel. The nonprofit behind the project is continuing to seek donations and government funding with a target opening of fall 2027. Steel tariffs have added more than $300,000 to the already $3 million […]
Maui Wildfire Homebuyer Program Reaches 100 Families Approved for Aid
Multiple outlets reported that Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program reached a milestone this week, with its 100th family receiving approval for up to $600,000 toward purchasing a home. The program, described as the only one of its kind in the United States, was created to help survivors of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires […]
Lahaina Restoration Foundation Annual Meeting Set for Nov. 6 in Lahaina
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold its 2026 annual meeting on November 6 at Lahainaluna High School, providing updates on historic preservation and post-fire rebuilding efforts. The free public event includes an open house at the Hale Pa’i Printing Museum and a fundraising opportunity for the Pioneer Mill Smokestack. The free event runs 5:30–7:30 p.m. […]
USPS May Resume Curbside Mail Delivery in Rebuilt Lahaina Areas
Multiple outlets reported that the U.S. Postal Service is open to restoring curbside mail delivery to rebuilt parts of Lahaina, contingent on safety requirements being met. The development follows a formal request by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and represents a step toward normalizing essential services for returning residents. No final decision has been made, […]
UH Mānoa Students Visit Maui to Study Lahaina Rebuild Efforts Firsthand
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students in architecture, engineering, and urban planning completed a two-day field study on Maui in September to observe Lahaina’s wildfire recovery and rebuilding process. They met with county officials, construction firms, AIA Maui, and community organizations involved in the rebuild. Students visited key recovery stakeholders including the Maui County Department […]