A woman and her ex-boyfriend are pleading guilty to lying about being victims of the Aug. 8, 2023 West Maui wildfires and the January Los Angeles fires — stealing more than $110,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Read more
It gives owners of short-term rentals in West Maui three years to convert and five years for owners in South Maui. Read more
After months of testimony for and against Bill 9 that began in June, the Council passed the bill’s first reading 5 to 3 on Dec. 1. Read more
More than two years into the rebuilding of the picturesque community that once served as the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom, this week’s soft opening of Lahaina Harbor will mark a significant milestone in the town’s recovery from the deadly August 2023 wildfire. Read more
Officials have said that tests will be conducted to confirm no contamination reached the surrounding environment at the Olowalu site. Read more
More than two years after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, disabled residents remain among the least recovered — still facing unstable housing, steep income losses and worsening health — according to a new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Read more
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has announced his 2026 reelection campaign after winning over some initial skeptics during his handling of Maui’s devastating wildfires. Read more
Disaster survivors are often cycled through far-flung shelters, hotels and short-term lodging while facing federal requirements that disqualify millions of people from aid. Ka La‘i Ola represents a new model. Read more
The Kapalua wildfire has been fully contained, Maui fire officials said. Read more
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The state is preparing to welcome the first of at least 64 homeless people into Hawaii’s first neighbor island “kauhale” starting Oct. 20, as Gov. Josh Green’s vision of these tiny-home enclaves for those in need expands across the islands. Read more
The state, Maui County, and federal and private partners are moving ahead with plans to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School at the Kuʻia site below the Lahaina Bypass. Read more
The past two years have tested the people of Hawaii and the people of Hawaiian Electric. Read more
Motorists are urged to drive safely around the trucks — and to not pass or tailgate them — as they are hauling debris, officials said. Read more
After Sergio Haro-Arvizu’s Aug. 9 arrest, federal agents did not immediately disclose where he was arrested or where he is being held. Read more
Question: Regarding the big grants for first-time homebuyers on Maui, some wildfire survivors had GoFundMe or other cash fundraisers after they lost pretty much everything, including (for some) their jobs. Will that money count against them in qualifying for these grants? Read more
A Lahaina man who lost his home and business in the fatal Lahaina wildfires was arrested by federal agents on the two-year anniversary of the disaster for an alleged violation of U.S. immigration law. Read more
Led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the operation began June 16 and involves approximately 400,000 tons of debris. Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff said at a community meeting on Aug. 13 that the transfer was 53% complete, reaching 64% by Friday, according to a news release. Read more
The initial results of the first study to look at the effects of Hawaii’s worst natural disaster were shared with investigators from around the world in Lahaina in December 2024. Read more
Question: I know the Maui funding has income limits, but what about assets? Do they look at that? Particularly the first-time homebuyer grants? Read more
Will there be a program for condo owners/associations that need to rebuild? If yes, when? Read more
A project offering 167 temporary, modular homes for wildfire survivors on a Lahaina hillside has officially been completed, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Read more
