County of Maui restrictions, triggered by fire evacuation orders Aug. 8, were lifted today, Sept. 5, 2023, for two West Maui parcels: Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St., and Walgreens, 342 Keawe St.

Governor Josh Green, M.D. is announcing a vehicle replacement program for survivors of the Maui wildfire disaster, as an option toward recovery. The governor has worked with Avis Budget Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Hertz to make additional vehicles available for purchase. Interested individuals can visit https://Hertzcarsales.com, or for Avis Budget or Enterprise, reach out to any local Maui automobile dealership for more details.

The Maui Police Department released the name of another victim from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Louise Abihai, 97, of Lahaina.

Goodwill Hawaiʻi will be distributing upwards of $400,000 total in emergency vouchers for impacted residents to redeem for clothing and household goods at any Goodwill Store in Hawaiʻi. The vouchers are being distributed to fire victims thru the nonprofit’s outreach at its emergency response centers on Maui, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island and in partnership with other government and nonprofit partners.

Upcountry Strong is distributing one solar bag per household member while supplies last at its headquarters located at the Pukalani Terrace Shopping Center. The location is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Hawaiian Electric has suspended service disconnections so all Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about their electric service.

There are 115 confirmed fatalities with 54 individuals now identified publicly following notification of next of kin. EPA has completed work in Kula and has completed removal of hazardous material at 268 properties in total, which is roughly 15% of the total number of properties. Food and supplies will be distributed to West Maui residents at Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St.: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6. The selection and quantity of items will be reduced in preparation for a move to a new location at Kahana Gateway, 4405 Lower Honoapiʻilani Road. On-site mobile health vehicle.On-site mobile health vehicle.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending today announced the launch of the Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund to prevent displacement of kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) from Maui after the tragic wildfire that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Lahaina.

The US Small Business Administration has partnered with the Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center to open an SBA Business Recovery Center in Honolulu to provide a wide range of services to small businesses impacted by Maui wildfires that began Aug. 8. SBA representatives continue to be available at the Business Recovery Center in Kīhei to provide information on SBA disaster loans and business assistance on the dates and times indicated.

Unsafe Water Advisories remain in effect for parts of Lahaina and Upper Kula. Check the advisory map to see if you are located in the affected area. Addresses are searchable on the top left. 

The Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem Foundation hosts a Lahaina & Kula Strong Back to School Beach Bash on Sept. 16 at Hoʻokipa Beach.

The food and supply distribution site at the Lahaina Gateway Center continued service today (Sept. 4) and will operate on Wednesday, Sept. 6, with a reduced selection and quantity of items in preparation for a move to Kahana Gateway later this week.

As of today, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, MPD has 110 missing person reports relating to the Lahaina wildfire, 41 of which are actively being investigated and are considered open. “As we move forward, a missing person report will be necessary to assist with this investigation,” police said.

Today the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement opened its Kākoʻo Maui Resource Hub at Maui Mall located at 70 Ka‘ahumanu Avenue in Kahului. The resource hub will focus on providing a cultural approach to help those impacted by the fires best navigate the application process for aid and services.

Advocates of the current service say “flaws” in the new contract would diminish the Emergency Medical Services systems, and called the diminished standards “grossly irresponsible,” “negligent” and “profoundly hurtful” in the wake of the worst mass casualty in Hawaiʻi’s modern history.

Two nonprofits, Maui Hope and the Hawaiʻi Autism Foundation, presented a $1,900 check to Lahaina resident Jhuendel Sabalo and her 8 year-old daughter who has autism. The funds were raised through a Gofundme campaign, and will help the family to purchase a car after they lost their home, vehicle and all their belongings in the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire tragedy. 

Student hopes to rebuild smoke damaged Becca’s Closet Maui in time for prom season: The chapter’s 300 dresses were destroyed by smoke damage from the Kula fire. 

Thousands of leaves on the 150-year-old Lahaina banyan tree are scorched but its multiple trunks show little sign of being singed during the Aug. 8 firestorm that devastated this historic, coastal West Maui community. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency has completed work on 197 parcels as part of Phase 1, to remove hazardous material, including large pieces of asbestos, from the 5-square-mile burned area from the Lahaina fire.

The Maui Police Department released the names of four more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Nicholas Turbin III, 71; Anthony “Tony” Simpson, 43; Glenda Yabes, 48; and John “Thumper” McCarthy, 74. All are from Lahaina.