Since the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires, nearly 2,000 individuals are still being housed in hotels on Maui. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that currently, 1,969 survivors are sheltered in nine hotels and other sites. The agency provided an update on housing, spending and resources as wildfire recovery nears the nine month mark.
A groundbreaking new 30-meter Maui Forest Height Map reveals that trees on the Valley Isle are taller than previously thought. UH researchers say the findings provide critical information needed to accurately evaluate the upstream freshwater yield, a crucial consideration for town planning in watersheds like Lahaina.
Even though the federal deadline to apply for wildfire damage or losses has passed, Hawaiʻi residents and businesses have been granted a 45-day grace period, until Thursday, Jan. 25, to submit SBA loan applications for physical property damage caused by the wildfires.
The last day for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations to apply for an SBA economic injury disaster loan is Friday, May 10, 2024.
In response to the wildfires, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has been on Maui since August to help the community with its insurance questions. A representative will continue to be available for in-person assistance at the Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.