8/25 COUNTY OF MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

From: https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12767

UNACCOUNTED INDIVIDUALS

We need your help identifying 388 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 about the person that may help locate them, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at (808) 566-4300 or HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov as soon as possible. The names on this list were compiled by the FBI and deemed validated if the first and last name of the unaccounted individual was listed, along with a verified contact number of the person who originated the report. 

Anyone wishing to report an individual who is still unaccounted for is asked to email unaccounted@mpd.net and provide the following information:

• Person reporting: first and last name, contact information (including a valid phone number), 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 loved ones or those who are unaccounted for, the Family Assistance Center (FAC) is located at the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom (200 Nohea Kai Drive) in Ka’anapali. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Agencies and organizations currently available at the FAC include: 

• FEMA Disaster Assistance
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns
• Maui Economic Opportunity — Emergency Financial Assistance
• Tzu Chi Foundation — Emergency Financial Assistance
• Maui County Bar Association — Legal Information
• United Way of Maui
• Health, Mental Health, and Spiritual Care services

As of August 25, approximately 1,200 individuals have visited the FAC for assistance. 

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation Honolulu Division at (808) 566-4300 or email HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov 

DNA samples are only for identification of wildfire victims and survivors, and will not be stored or used for any other purpose. 

The Family Assistance Center 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.

FIRE UPDATE

• Olinda fire: Remains 85% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres. 
• Kula fire: Increased to 90% contained. Estimated 202 acres. 
• Lahaina fire: Remains 90% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres. 
• Pulehu / Kihei fire: Declared 100% contained on August 12. 

A small brushfire ignited near Maha‘olu St. in Kahului the night of 8/24. The fire was small and quickly extinguished by the Maui Fire Department (MFD).

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. 

Underwater search efforts for human remains, which began 8/19, continued on Friday in waters off Lahaina. The U.S. Navy and state Department of Land and Natural Resources crews are coordinating this search effort with MFD, with drones being used to assist.

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 95% of the Lahaina disaster area searched. 341 emergency personnel and 50 canine units are conducting searches of multi-story residential and commercial properties. The use of heavy machines is necessary to move debris, including vehicles and building materials, so that first responders can safely examine properties as part of the search. No debris removal operations are underway in Lahaina this time.

ENTRY INTO DISASTER AREAS

At this time, there is no list allowing residents to return to the disaster area. There will be a coordinated effort to develop a plan for the safe return of residents. MPD, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard cannot facilitate any requests at this time. 

Currently, the disaster area is restricted to authorized personnel only. At this time, media and residents are not allowed in the disaster area, as significant hazards exist. For those accessing areas outside of the disaster area, the county urges individuals to continue to avoid all burn areas and do not enter any areas where structures were burned until you receive clearance from authorities. 

Dangers include ash that may contain toxic, cancer-causing chemicals including asbestos, arsenic and lead, with types of debris including broken glass, exposed electrical wires, nails, wood, plastics, and other objects. Unstable buildings and 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.

Recovery and other emergency response operators have been instructed to report any stray animal sightings to the Maui County Emergency Operations Center. The information will then be provided to the Maui Humane Society so they can attempt to retrieve, rehabilitate, and support the reported animals. This protocol has already resulted in the rescue and treatment of animals in the disaster area.  

UNSAFE WATER ADVISORY

A new, interactive map depicting the precise location of the Unsafe Water Advisory is now available at bit.ly/mauiwateradvisory. Residents can type in their address at that link to see if their property is located within the affected area. 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 such as benzene and other volatile organic chemicals possibly having entered the water system. Residents are further advised to: limit their use of hot water; reduce shower times while using lukewarm water in a ventilated area; not take baths; use a dishwasher and the air dry setting; wash clothes in cold water; dry laundry outdoors; avoid hot tubs or swimming pools; and use proper ventilation when using water indoors. 

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 post offices with the largest available inventories of PO Boxes are the Lahaina Main Post Office and the Kahului Post Office. 

To ensure that these free PO Boxes are taken only by Lahaina residents who lost their homes or PO Boxes, requestors will be asked to provide a photo identification and proof of their Lahaina residence. The PO Boxes will be provided without charge through the end of February 2024. This offer is limited to one free PO Box per affected Lahaina household. 

USPS reminds displaced customers who would like to redirect their mail to new addresses to submit their USPS Change of Address (COA) requests as soon as possible. COA requests can be made online at bit.ly/USPSchangeaddress or a local post office. Lahaina postal customers can call the USPS Maui wildfire impact information line at (808) 423-6000 to hear a recording providing the latest service updates. 

The Wailuku Post Office is no longer receiving or distributing mail for Lahaina residents. Lahaina residents who lost their homes, or live in areas which are currently inaccessible, may pick up their mail from the “dutch door” in the lobby of the Lahaina Main Post Office. Service will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Photo identification is necessary for mail pick-up. The latest updates on mail service are available by calling a recording at 808-423-6000. The Lahaina Main Post Office is located at 1760 Honoapi‘ilani Highway. Over 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. 

SHELTERS, HOUSING, and FINANCIAL AID

A Federal Resource Fair is scheduled for Saturday, 8/26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, located at 1840 Honoapi‘ilani Highway. Organized by the offices of U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, services offered include: passport, Social Security card, birth certificate, and marriage license replacement; FEMA and Red Cross disaster aid; housing assistance; USPS mail service; veterans healthcare, adult mental health, and Medicaid support; SNAP assistance; small business loans; and legal services. For more information, call (808) 746-6220.

3,444 individuals are sheltered at 12 hotel locations around Maui, in coordination with the American Red Cross (ARC). Some 176,262 meals have been served to date by the Salvation Army and ARC at shelters throughout the disaster response. The current shelter locations include: 

• Hyatt Regency Maui – 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina
• Royal Lahaina – 2780 Kekaa Dr, Lahaina
• Honua Kai Outrigger – 130 Kai Malina Pkwy, Lahaina
• Outrigger Kaʻanapali Beach Resort – 2525 Ka‘anapali Pkwy, Lahaina
• Aston Ka‘anapali Shores – 3445 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Rd., Lahaina
• Fairmont Kea Lani – 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea 
• Westin Maui – 2365 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina
• Aston Mahana at Ka‘anapali – 110 Ka‘anapali Shores Pl., Lahaina
• Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea
• Maui Beach Hotel – 170 West Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului
• Maui Seaside Hotel – 100 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului
• Aston Maui Ka‘anapali Villas: 45 Kai Ala Dr, Lahaina

A non-American Red Cross Shelter is available at the Four Seasons Maui, at 3900 Wailea Alanui Drive in Kihei. Individuals housed at this shelter are not included in the above statistic. 

To qualify for shelter and financial assistance, you must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This can be done at 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). You can also call 1-800-621-3362, visit disasterassistance.gov, or apply through the FEMA smartphone application.

An additional FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened on Friday at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, located at 91 Pukalani St. in Makawao. Similar services are available daily, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To date, nearly 10,000 FEMA assistance registrations have been received, with some $13.6 million in federal housing and individual assistance provided. If you did not apply for FEMA assistance yet are receiving communications from FEMA residents, please report potential fraud by calling the disaster fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721.

The American Red Cross (ARC) is reaching out to FEMA registrants to offer financial assistance for survivors of the Maui wildfires whose primary residences were destroyed or sustained eligible structural damage. A response is required to receive these benefits, so those who applied for FEMA assistance are urged to respond to ARC contact attempts. These ARC contacts will not ask for personal information, with contact coming via email, text, or phone. If you have not been contacted, additional appointments will be made available, with scheduling details next week. For more information, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

Landlords, management companies, and homeowners from across the state have offered to rent more than 900 houses, apartment units and rooms immediately to the thousands of Maui residents who lost their homes to the wildfires. For assistance call (808) 587-0469 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email hhfdcfirereliefhousing@hawaii.gov

Home, Business, Physical, and Economic Injury disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a result of impacts from the Maui wildfires. For more information, please visit sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA financial disaster assistance.

Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will be temporarily waiving registration fees for businesses affected by the wildfires. The waiver is in effect through 12/31/2023 and applies to fees for obtaining certificates of good standing and copies of business registrations documents filed with the division. 

POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS

Hawaiian Electric crews are progressing with restoration efforts on Maui, bringing power back to customers in the Launiupoko area while continuing work to restore those in the Olowalu area. Aerial transmission line inspections continue in West Maui, South Maui and Upcountry, weather permitting.

When attempting to connect with loved ones in areas of low cell phone or internet connectivity, it is best to send text messages instead of making phone calls. Though there is coverage in these areas, cell phone capacity is still building, which can result in dropped calls. Maui County updates will continue to be aired daily at noon on local radio stations.

TRANSPORTATION

The Maui County Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing office at 110 Ala‘ihi St. in Kahului will be open Saturday, 8/26. These weekend appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and are reserved for individuals completing a single transaction for themselves. Walk-ins will be available from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for wildfire survivors. To make an appointment visit bit.ly/MauiDMVbooking . For more information call (808) 270-7363.

The Maui Bus “West Maui Express” Route #29 will provide hourly service between Kapalua, the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center and Ka‘anapali beginning daily at 5:30 a.m. For the exact route schedule, please visit www.mauicounty.gov/bus or use the free Maui Bus app. The following Maui Bus routes are still suspended until further notice:

• Lahaina Islander #20
• Lahaina Villager #23
• Ka’anapali Islander #25
• West Maui Islander #28

The Maui County Department of Transportation also announced that all Maui Bus fares for the Maui Bus Fixed Route, ADA Paratransit, and Commuter Service have been suspended due to the ongoing emergency until further notice. 

Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services and Maui Bus ADA Paratransit buses resumed trips to, from, and within West Maui. Buses will not be traveling to restricted areas. The Human Services system provides rides for low-income and rural residents, kupuna, youth, persons with disabilities and those living outside the paratransit service area without charge to doctor’s appointments, dialysis, youth centers after school, employment and other destinations. Human Services buses run 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday depending on destination and type of service. Paratransit buses run every day, including holidays, from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., depending on the location, in conjunction with Maui Bus routes. Both services require riders to be registered and approved prior to making a reservation. Applications are found at https://www.meoinc.org; reservations can be made by calling (808) 877-7651.

A free Ka’anapali Circulator Shuttle is available for people who are staying at any of the American Red Cross hotel shelters in West Maui, including the Hyatt Regency Maui, Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort, Royal Lahaina, Honua Kai and the Westin Maui in Ka’anapali. The circulator shuttle runs in a continuous loop and is available daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It connects the shelters to various services located at the different hotels, including the Family Assistance Center, located at the Hyatt Regency Maui. The shuttle is being operated by Roberts Hawai‘i.

The Lana‘i ferry is adding voyages to their daily service connecting Ma‘alaea and Manele Bay, effective 8/28. For updates to the following schedule, visit go-lanai.com. 

• Mondays & Fridays: Departing 10 a.m. Ma‘alaea, 12 p.m. Manele
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays:Ddeparting 6:30 a.m. Ma‘alaea, 8:30 a.m. Manele, 3:30 p.m. Ma‘alaea, 5:30 p.m. Manele

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Federal Highway Administration are making $3 million available for recovery of West Maui infrastructure and traffic management, with a portion of this to be invested in a 30,000-foot dust screen around Lahaina, according to HDOT.

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 road blocks on Honoapi‘ilani Highway (Highway 30) are located at Ma‘alaea and Wahe‘e. All motorists may enter from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Maui Police Department will cite and tow vehicles parked at the Lahaina Bypass, where there are no-parking signs.

Uber is now working with the American Red Cross to provide rides (up to $40) to people in hotel shelters on Maui who do not have transportation options. To redeem the discount, riders must apply the promo code “MAUI23” in the Wallet section of their Uber app prior to requesting the ride, which is valid for UberX or UberXL.

FOOD, WATER, AND SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION / DONATIONS

• Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Mobile health vehicle present. Food and supplies will only be distributed to West Maui residents. 

FEED MY SHEEP MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES

• Kahului: 150 South Pu’unene Ave., 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday
• Wailuku: Parking lot next to Living Way Church, at the corner of Market and Mokuhau streets in Happy Valley, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday

Free laundry and drying services are being offered by Wash Pros Ka‘anapali, located at 2580 Keka‘a Dr. in Lahaina. Drop off your clothes and pick them up two hours later. Available Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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 the latest distribution locations.

MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT

Kaiser Permanente first aid stations are available at the Hyatt Regency Lahaina, Maui Suites, Promenade Lower Level. Pharmacy courier services available. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays. Maui Health services will also be available at the Hyatt Regency Lahaina through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

A Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) replacement benefit is available for recipients who experienced loss of food as a result of the recent wildfires. To apply for SNAP replacement benefits, please visit the processing center in your area or call the Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.

The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) helps uninsured people after disasters to be sure they still have the medicines and medical equipment they normally use to stay healthy. To enroll, call 1-855-793-7470 or visit https://aspr.hhs.gov/epap for more information from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. 

The Hawai‘i Dept. of Health launched a call center to connect impacted residents with non-emergency medical services, mental health support, and other services. Survivors can call (808) 586-4468, Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Hawaii CARES 988 is a 24/7 support service for help with crisis, mental health, and substance abuse. If you, a family member (including keiki), or someone you know need confidential assistance with a trained crisis counselor, please call/text 988 (TTY 711) or visit the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s chat.

WEATHER

Moderate to locally breezy trade winds will weaken slightly over the next couple of days. Sea breezes ramp up each afternoon along the Leeward Coast. Moderate, downslope trade winds will develop early in the evening in Lahaina and will ease during the overnight to early-morning hours. A slight increase in Windward shower coverage will be possible this weekend. 

SCHOOLS

For State Department of Education information and resources to assist those impacted by the wildfires, please visit: bit.ly/HIDOE-West-Maui-Resources. 

VISITORS TO MAUI

Visitors to Maui should refrain from visiting West Maui or Kula. We greatly appreciate your understanding as we allocate appropriate resources toward recovery efforts for these affected communities. This includes: Lahaina, Napili, Kaʻanapali, Kapalua, Kahana, Kula, and Honokawai. Other areas of Maui remain open and welcome to visitors.

COMMUNITY MESSAGING BOARDS

To further provide vital information to affected residents with limited telecommunications abilities, Maui County and public communicators from across the state are posting updates from this daily report at the following Maui locations: 

• Napili Plaza: 5095 Napilihau St., Lahaina
• Times Supermarket Honokowai: 3350 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road, Lahaina
• Hyatt Regency Maui: 200 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina
• Kula Lodge – 15200 Haleakala Highawy, Kula 
• Maui Ocean Center – 192 Maalaea Road, Makawao
• Safeway Kihei –277 Pi‘ikea Ave., Kihei

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. It is administered through the County’s Office of Economic Development, and will be utilized to connect people to resources and services. For any additional questions, or to talk to a county representative regarding the Maui Wildfire Disaster, please call (808) 270-7285.

If you would like to directly receive Maui County press releases, and other official notifications, directly to your email inbox, please visit mauicounty.gov/list.aspx .