08/28/2023
Maui Update - and a big THANK YOU to all of you who are donating to our GoFundMe account.
https://gofund.me/a9633dce
FIRE UPDATE
· Olinda fire: Remains 85% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres.
· Kula fire: Remains 90% contained. Estimated 202 acres.
· Lahaina fire: Remains 90% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres.
The Maui Fire Department (MFD) advises the public that complete extinguishment for Upcountry fires may take an extended period of time given the large burn area and the nature of the rural terrain. Although containment percentages have not changed over recent days, MFD continues to reassure the public there are no active threats among the three ongoing fires.
FATALITY AND SEARCH UPDATE
The most up-to-date fatality numbers and identification information are included in the Maui Police Department’s daily press release, anticipated to be issued by 6 p.m. daily. For that information, please visit: bit.ly/MauiPoliceNews. There are 115 confirmed fatalities, with 99% of the Lahaina disaster area searched.
ENTRY INTO DISASTER AREAS
At this time, there is no list allowing residents to return to the disaster area in Lahaina. There will be a coordinated effort to develop a plan for the safe return of residents. Currently, the disaster area is restricted to authorized personnel only. Dangers include ash that may contain toxic, cancer-causing chemicals with debris including broken glass, exposed electrical wires, and other objects. Unstable structures may contain hazardous materials and could collapse, causing injury. For those who can return to their properties, County officials urge all individuals to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). For more recommendations regarding PPE, go to bit.ly/WestMauiCaution.
UNSAFE WATER ADVISORY
An interactive map depicting the precise location of the Unsafe Water Advisory is now available at bit.ly/mauiwateradvisory. Until further notice, residents in these areas of Lahaina and Kula should only use bottled water or potable water provided from tankers for things like drinking, brushing teeth, ice-making, and food preparation. For potable water, please bring large water containers to:
Residents in impacted areas are not able to treat the water in any way to make it safe to consume, with contaminants possibly having entered the water system.
UNACCOUNTED-FOR INDIVIDUALS
We still need your help identifying individuals reported unaccounted for following the Lahaina wildfire disaster. The validated list of names is available at mauinuistrong.info/unaccountedfor. If you recognize a name on the list and know the person to be safe, or have additional information that may help locate them, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at (808) 566-4300 or [email protected].
Anyone wishing to report an individual who is still unaccounted for is asked to email [email protected] and provide the following information:
· Person reporting: first and last name, contact information, and relationship with the unaccounted for individual.
· Unaccounted individual: first and last name, age or date of birth, last known location, and last known physical address of residence.
For those seeking information regarding those who are unaccounted for, the Family Assistance Center (FAC) is located at the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom (200 Nohea Kai Drive, Ka‘anapali). It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you live on a neighbor island or the continental U.S., are the immediate family member of a person missing as the result of the Maui wildfires, and you wish to provide a DNA sample to assist, please call the FBI Honolulu Division at (808) 566-4300 or email [email protected].
DNA samples are only for identification of wildfire victims and survivors, and will not be stored or used for any other purpose.
The FAC has received reports about Maui community members receiving calls from individuals or organizations claiming to be with “DNA Services.” These telephone calls are scams, and anyone receiving them should hang up immediately and report them to the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 244-6400.
TRANSPORTATION
Late-night vehicular access into Lahaina is limited to West Maui residents, first responders, and West Maui employees from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Evening roadblocks on Honoapi‘ilani Highway (Highway 30) are located at Ma‘alaea and Waihe‘e. The Maui Police Department will cite and tow vehicles parked at the Lahaina Bypass, where there are no-parking signs.
SCHOOLS
The State Department of Education (DOE) will be holding two meetings on Wednesday, August 30 to hear from families and community members about reopening schools. Meeting info:
Lahaina: 9-11 a.m. at Citizen Church, 4275 Hine Way
Kahului: 1-3 p.m. at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, McCoy Studio Theater, 1 Cameron Way
For DOE resources to assist those impacted by the fires, visit: bit.ly/HIDOE-West-Maui-Resources.
RESOURCE UPDATES:
RESOURCE HUB: DONATION & VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
An online, centralized hub to respond to the impacts of the Maui Wildfire Disaster is available at mauinuistrong.info. The County of Maui’s “Maui Nui Strong” site offers information on how to donate, volunteer, offer services, and locate support. Support information on the Maui Nui Strong site includes resources for Financial Assistance, Government Services, Medical Care, Mental Health Services, and more.
FOOD, WATER, AND SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION / DONATIONS
Food and supplies will be distributed to West Maui residents at Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St.:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Mobile health vehicle present.
Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center (fronting Ka‘ahumanu Ave. and Kane St.) will accept donations of non-
perishable foods, water, and paper supplies only. Donations will be accepted on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Feed my Sheep mobile food distribution sites are set up at: 150 South Pu‘unene Ave. in Kahului
(9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays) and in the parking lot next to Living Way Church, at the corner of
Market and Mokuhau streets in Happy Valley (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fridays).
In addition, the Maui Humane Society will continue to offer donated pet supplies and veterinary
services at several distribution sites island-wide. Please visit mauihumanesociety.org for more.
CALL CENTER
The State of Hawaiʻi and Maui County have launched the Maui Disaster Support Call Center. The call center can be reached at (808) 727-1550 between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and provides a central assistance hub for community members affected by the Maui wildfires.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION BOARDS
Information boards are now located throughout Maui to provide vital information to residents with limited telecommunications abilities. Look for them at these locations:
· Kula Lodge Hub - 15200 Haleakala Hwy, Kula
· Napili Market -5095 Napilihau St., Lahaina
· Times Supermarket Honokowai - 3350 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Lahaina
· Hyatt Regency Maui - 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina
· Maui Ocean Center - 192 Ma‘alaea Rd., Ma‘alaea
· Safeway Kihei - 277 Pi‘ikea Ave., Kihei
SHELTERS
Hotel shelter locations are open around Maui, in coordination with the American Red Cross (ARC). As of Monday morning, 8/28, there were 4,725 people in 19 shelter locations. The current shelter locations include:
To register with FEMA for shelter or financial assistance, call 1-800-621-3362, visit disasterassistance.gov, or apply through the FEMA smartphone app. You can also visit a joint Disaster Recovery Center that operates daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College (310 W. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Pilina Building, Kahului).
An additional FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, located at 91 Pukalani St. in Makawao. Services are available daily, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has temporarily waived certain eligibility rules to ensure that people receiving federal disaster assistance due to the Maui fires can easily apply for and enroll in Lifeline, a federal program that helps lower the cost of phone and internet service for those in need. More information, including how to enroll, is available at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/.
POSTAL SERVICE
Vacant PO Boxes at Post Offices across Maui will be temporarily made available at no charge to Lahaina residents who lost their homes or their Lahaina Downtown Post Office PO Boxes. Qualifying residents may request their free PO Boxes at any Maui post office. The latest updates on mail service are available by calling (808) 423-6000.
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