Federal Tax Relief Bill for Lahaina Fire Survivors Awaits Trump’s Signature
A bill passed by both chambers of Congress would allow wildfire loss deductions and exclude legal settlement compensation from federal taxation for Maui fire survivors through 2026. Maui Council Vice-Chair Sugimura has formally urged President Trump to sign it into law. H.R. 5366 passed both the House and Senate and now awaits the president’s signature […]
Three Years Out: Only 25% of Lahaina Homes Rebuilt, Full Recovery Still Years Away
A data analysis of Maui County building permits finds roughly one quarter of single-family homes destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina fire have been rebuilt, with full recovery potentially still four years away. Multi-family construction is further along at 38% completion, though the majority of those units stem from a single pre-fire development. About 25% of […]
Pukalani Church Opens Transitional Housing Village for Lahaina Fire Survivors
A small Upcountry Maui church has built four furnished two-bedroom homes on its campus to provide transitional housing for Lahaina fire survivors, funded by $660,000 from the Maui Strong Fund and other donors. The program offers free rent for the first three months, with costs gradually increasing, and is open to non-congregation members. Pukalani Community […]
Hawaii’s $20B State Budget Allocates $200M for Maui Wildfire Recovery
Hawaii’s executive operating budget includes $200 million designated for Maui wildfire recovery efforts, including rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary School. The budget was shaped by revenue losses, federal funding cuts, and ongoing climate disaster costs. $200 million in state funds has been directed toward Maui wildfire recovery within Hawaii’s $20.32 billion operating budget. Rebuilding King […]
HCF’s Maui Strong Fund Has $30M Left to Deploy Three Years After Wildfires
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation has raised over $212 million through its Maui Strong Fund since the 2023 wildfires and has $30 million remaining to distribute toward long-term recovery. The foundation is also responding to Hurricane Lala damage statewide through its newly launched Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. HCF’s Maui Strong Fund has raised more than $212 million […]
Animated Film Series Honoring Lahaina Comes to Queen Kaʻahumanu Center Aug. 27
Four animated short films capturing Lahaina community memories will be unveiled on August 27 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center as part of ongoing cultural recovery efforts following the 2023 wildfires. The exhibit runs through September before traveling to New York University. The ‘Perfect Days’ film collection features nine Lahaina storytellers sharing family traditions and community memories […]
Kahua Card Program Highlights Maui’s Ongoing Long-Term Recovery Needs
Nearly three years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, a local community card program called Kahua is helping displaced residents as long-term recovery continues well beyond the initial emergency relief phase. New research shows persistent mental health, housing, and financial challenges among fire survivors. Over 70% of displaced Maui residents in temporary housing have remained in […]
Lahaina Kalo Patch to See First Replanting Since 2023 Fire
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation and County of Maui are hosting a free hands-on kalo planting workshop on Aug. 22 at the historic Apuakehau site on Front Street — the first planting there since the 2023 wildfire. Space is limited to 15 participants and advance registration is required. The free Kalo Workshop takes place Aug. 22, […]
UH Oral History Center Secures $538K to Document Maui Fire Survivors’ Stories
The University of Hawaiʻi’s Center for Oral History has received $538,000 in grants to launch four projects preserving the voices and experiences of Maui communities, with a strong focus on Lahaina wildfire survivors. Initiatives will record up to 100 hours of interviews and document cultural, environmental, and recovery-related histories. Four separate funded projects will document […]
Hawaii Airport Chief Charged in Corruption Case Tied to Contract Bribes
Hawaii’s state airports administrator Ford Fuchigami faces corruption charges tied to a years-long pattern of airport contracts allegedly steered to political donors. A 2024 investigation found over $131 million in consulting contracts linked to officials who attended clandestine fundraisers. State airports administrator Ford Fuchigami is on leave and facing corruption charges alongside lobbyist Tobi Solidum […]