Discover the latest resources and updates for the Maui wildfire recovery on September 5th. The destructive fire in Lahaina that began on August 8th has finally been declared 100% contained, bringing relief to the community. However, the devastation caused by the fire is immense, with an estimated 2,170 acres burned and the loss of at least 115 lives. Numerous structures have been damaged or destroyed, and hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. The County of Maui continues its efforts to contain fires in Kula and Olinda. Additionally, important information about Lahaina Harbor access, unsafe water advisories, hazardous materials removal, transportation, and community resources is provided to support those affected by the disaster. Stay informed and find assistance at the Maui Nui Strong website.
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FIRE UPDATE
The destructive fire in Lahaina that started four weeks ago on Aug. 8, 2023, was declared 100% contained over the weekend, according to an update issued by the County of Maui. The fire has burned an estimated 2,170 acres. Its path of destruction claimed the lives of at least 115 people and damaged or destroyed 2,207 structures. Another 385 people remain unaccounted for according to an updated list issued by the FBI on Friday.
County officials say full containment of fires in Kula and Olinda has not been achieved. The Olinda fire is 90% contained and has burned 1,081 acres. The Kula fire is 95% contained and has burned 202 acres.
- Olinda fire: 90% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres.
- Kula fire: 95% contained. Estimated 202 acres.
- Lahaina fire: 100% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres.
- Pulehunui fire: A brush fire reported at about 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 4, near Pulehunui Industrial Park off Maui Veterans Highway burned approximately 4 acres of brush before it was contained at 11:40 a.m. No damage was reported from the fire.
The Maui Fire Department advises the public that “extinguishing the 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.”
WEATHER
Variable winds with mostly dry conditions are expected today, Sept. 5. In Lahaina, dry conditions are expected with daytime sea breezes and nighttime land breezes. The Kula area should see gently upslope winds during the day with isolated showers during the afternoon and evening. Light downslope winds with gradual clearing is expected at night. A moderate south swell should peak today, Sept. 5 into Wednesday near or just below the High Surf Advisory threshold. Moderate trade winds will return on Wednesday, becoming breezy by the end of the week.
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FATALITY AND SEARCH UPDATE
There are 115 confirmed fatalities with 54 individuals now identified publicly following notification of next of kin. The police said that five other people have been identified, but their families have not been located and/or notified.
Previously announced victims of the Maui wildfire disaster:
- Nicholas Turbin III, 71, of Lahaina;
- Anthony “Tony” Simpson, 43, of Lahaina
- Glenda Yabes, 48, of Lahaina
- John “Thumper” McCarthy, 74, of Lahaina
- Tim Nakamoto, 69, of Lahaina
- Leroy Wagner, 69, of Lahaina
- Joseph Lara, 86, of Lahaina
- Gwendolyn Puou, 83, of Lahaina
- Edward Sato, 76, of Lahaina
- Eugene Recolizado, 50, of Lahaina
- Mark Kaminsky, 59, of Lahaina
- David Nuesca Jr., 59, of Lahaina
- Poomaikai Losano, 28, of Lahaina
- Carolyn Ono, 73, of Lahaina
- Pablo Pagdilao III, 75, Lahaina
- Coleen Jones, 59, Lahaina
- Roxanne Ibara-Hinau, 68, Lahaina
- Rogelio Mabalot, 68, Lahaina
- George Hall III, 67, Kahului
- Todd Nakamura, 61, Lahaina
- Bernard Portabes, 75, Lahaina
- Tony Takafua, 7, Lahaina
- Salote Tone, 39, Lahaina
- Faaoso Tone, 70, Lahaina
- Maluifonua Tone, 73, Lahaina
- Bette Jo Dyckman, 73, Lahaina
- Rebecca Rans, 57, Lahaina
- Tau Ponali, 66, Lahaina
- Valerie Kauffman, 78, Lahaina
- Salvador Coloma, 77, Lahaina
- Carlo Tobias, 54, Lahaina
- Albert Kitaguchi, 62, of Lahaina
- Lynn Manibog, 74, Lahaina
- Clyde Wakida, 74, Lahaina
- Todd Yamafuji, 68, Lahaina
- Antonia Molina, 64, Lahaina
- Freeman Tam Lung, 80, Lahaina
- Theresa Cook, 72, California
- Joseph Schilling, 67, Lahaina
- Narciso Baylosis Jr., 67, Lahaina
- Vanessa Baylosis, 67, Lahaina
- Douglas Gloege, 59, Lahaina
- Juan Deleon, 45, Lahaina
- Conchita Sagudang, 75, Lahaina
- Danilo Sagudang, 55, Lahaina
- Rodolfo Rocutan, 76, Lahaina
- Jonathan Somaoang, 76, Lahaina
- Angelita Vasquez, 88, Lahaina
- Donna Gomes, 71, Lahaina
- Melva Benjamin, 71, Lahaina
- Virginia Dofa, 90, Lahaina
- Alfredo Galinato, 79, Lahaina
- Robert Dyckman, 74, Lahaina
- Buddy Jantoc, 79, Lahaina
While 100% of the land search has been completed, the FBI continues to search nearshore waters for personal effects and potential remains.
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 wire, 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). More recommendations regarding PPE are available here.
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UNSAFE WATER ADVISORY
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply continues collecting water samples for daily testing in Unsafe Water Advisory areas of Lahaina and Kula. Results take several days to obtain, and the department must replicate the results several times before the Unsafe Water Advisory can be lifted. The department is working with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, US Environmental Protection Agency, and a Purdue University expert to ensure the water is safe before canceling the Unsafe Water Advisory.
Until further notice, residents in Unsafe Water Advisory 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. 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.
For potable water, please bring large, sterilized water containers to:
- Lahaina: Lahaina Gateway Center, Honokōhau Valley, Behind Lahaina Baseyard, Kahoma Village, Hawaiian Homes/Lahaina Civic Center
- Upper Kula: Crater Road, Copp Road, Holy Ghost Church, Rice Park, Ching Store, ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store
An interactive map depicting the precise location of the Unsafe Water Advisory is available online.
UNACCOUNTED-FOR INDIVIDUALS
Authorities 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 at 888-814-7693 or go to www.fbi.gov/MauiFires.
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, 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 is located at the Hyatt Regency’s Monarchy Ballroom, 200 Nohea Kai Drive, Kāʻanapali. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you live on a neighbor island or the US Mainland, are the immediate family member of a person missing as a result of the Maui wildfires, and you wish to provide a DNA sample to assist, please call the FBI’s Honolulu Division at 808-566-4300 or email HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov.
Police say 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.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REMOVAL
The US Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous material from properties affected by the wildfires in Lahaina, Kula, and Olinda. Hazardous materials could include compressed gas cylinders, pesticides, fertilizers, and ammunition, as well as lithium-ion batteries, and in particular solar battery storage on homes.
As of Sept. 4, the EPA has two reconnaissance teams and six removal teams in Lahaina performing assessment and removal of hazardous materials for Phase 1. 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. EPA is adding three more teams to have a total of nine removal teams working in Lahaina.
LAHAINA HARBOR ACCESS
For the most up-to-date information regarding Lahaina Harbor access, future salvage operations, and available resources, please go to the US Coast Guard Homeport, Sector Honolulu website at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/honolulu. The information is under Safety Notifications within the Safety Alerts. Select “Western Maui Wildfires Stakeholder Guide,” dated Aug. 28, 2023.
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TRANSPORTATION
Restrictions for late-night vehicular access into West Maui via Honoapiʻilani Highway have been lifted recently. The Maui Police Department will cite and tow vehicles parked at the Lahaina Bypass, where no-parking signs are posted. The impact zone remains off-limits, as outlined in the second emergency proclamation signed on August 8, 2023, by Mayor Richard Bissen.
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.
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 at these locations:
- Kula Lodge Water Hub – 15200…