KEY MESSAGES:

• As of Sep. 19, the wildfire debris transfer from the Temporary Debris Site (TDS) to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) was 87% complete. Trucks carrying Lahaina wildfire debris continue transporting debris from the TDS site in Olowalu to the PDS adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē. This transportation phase is an important step in Maui’s long-term recovery.
  
  
• The deadline to apply for the County of Maui’s Hoʻokumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program is Sept. 30, 2025. This program provides up to $600,000 in assistance toward the purchase of a home in Maui County and is funded by federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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  • You may be eligible for this program if you do not currently own a home, have not owned a home within the past 3 years, and have a household income at or below 120% of the area median income (AMI). This program prioritizes renters who were displaced by the 2023 Maui wildfires and have a household income at or below 80% AMI.
  • There are 3 ways to apply: go online to hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov, download the Maui OOR app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, or visit the Lahaina Resource Center at Lahaina Gateway or the Kako'o Maui Resource Center at Maui Mall in Kahului.
  • For more information or to schedule an appointment with a program specialist, visit hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov, call (808) 865-4007, or email info@mauioor.com.
  • Please note, the Hoʻokumu Hou Single-Family Homeowner Reconstruction and Reimbursement programs will remain open for applications past Sept. 30.
• Participants in the FEMA Direct Housing program must remain in compliance with FEMA rules and regulations and continue to work towards a permanent housing solution. Recertification Advisors can provide housing resources, discuss a permanent housing plan and refer those facing barriers to other housing partners for assistance. Recertification Advisors offer support but are unable to directly provide permanent housing.
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HOUSING:

• As wildfire survivors continue to work towards rebuilding, there are currently 506 permits that have been issued, 66 completed and 337 permits that are being processed. Permits are processed by 4LEAF, a Maui County contractor.
  
  • To contact 4LEAF, survivors may visit in-person at the County of Maui Service Center at 110 Alaihi St., Suite 207, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or may call 808-270-5724.

• FEMA encourages Maui residents in Hawaiian Electric designated power shut-off areas, including those in FEMA temporary housing, to prepare for potential power shut offs. To review designated areas in Maui County, please refer to Hawaiian Electric’s map.
  
  • o   For those who rely on power for life-saving medical devices, it is especially important to prepare a back-up power source to ensure the continuation of care in the case of a power shut-off.
• FEMA encourages survivors hiring a contractor to beware of fraud. Survivors should question contractors and remain vigilant to ensure they are engaging with legitimate contractors. When hiring a contractor, individuals should use the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org; verify insurance, licensing and permits; and avoid large up-front payments.
  
  • Survivors are also encouraged to check the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website (https://cca.hawaii.gov/businesscheck/) to verify license status of potential contractors and to review any previous complaint history.
• The County of Maui Office of Recovery encourages residents to find official information on Hoʻokumu Hou housing programs directly through the County due to potential fraud by third-party entities. Residents are encouraged to visit hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov or visit the resource centers in Kahului and Lahaina to speak with program specialists.
• FEMA’s goal is to support wildfire survivors on their path to permanent housing, while helping the Maui community navigate the road to recovery. FEMA’s programs provide temporary assistance designed to help households during their most critical time of need until they secure permanent housing
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FEMA Direct Housing

• Survivors in FEMA’s Direct Housing program are assigned a Recertification Advisor to guide them on their path to permanent housing. Staying in regular contact with their advisor is crucial to remain eligible for temporary housing. By staying in close contact and collaborating with their advisor, survivors can ensure they receive the necessary support and guidance throughout their recovery journey.
  
  • Recertification Advisors can provide housing resources, discuss a permanent housing plan and refer those facing barriers to other housing partners for assistance. Recertification Advisors offer support but are unable to directly provide permanent housing.
• All FEMA Direct Housing participants must pay their full rental amount by the deadline in their rental bill. Payments made beyond the 1st of each month will be considered late and will be subject to a late fee equal to the HUD Fair Market Rent of the unit they are occupying as well as associated penalty fees related to the monthly cost for the unit, i.e., Property Management Company fees, Performance Maintenance Inspection fees, furnishing fees and utilities.
  
  • FEMA offers several convenient options for rent payments:
    
    • Online: The fastest and most secure method. Log in at www.fema.gov/payments to pay instantly.
    • By Phone: Call FEMA Finance at 866-804-2469, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST (3 a.m. to 10 a.m. HST), for assistance or to make a payment over the phone.

KILOHANA TEMPORARY GROUP HOUSING SITE:

• FEMA continues to house wildfire survivors in 167 units at Kilohana.
• If residents at Kilohana notice or experience illegal or threatening activity they should call 911 immediately for emergency support. To report speeding, loud noise or other non-emergency activities, residents should call the MPD non-emergency number at 808-244-6400.
• With no resident manager at the Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site residents are encouraged to report concerns or potential violations to their FEMA recertification advisor immediately.
• A bulletin board has been placed at Kilohana that has information on how to pay rent, mental health resources and local activities and events.
  
  • Community services are now available for Kilohana residents.
  • Holoholo Bookmobile: Kilohana has been added to the route, offering mobile library services where residents can get a library card, borrow books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines, return items, and pick up pre-requested materials. Every 1^st Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. To request items online: www.librarieshawaii.org and select pickup location: Wailuku Bookmobile.
  • Da Mobile Market: Provides free produce, meat, and other food items, along with SNAP and MED-Quest application assistance from Project Vision. Every 2nd Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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FEMA SECONDARY SITES:

• FEMA has placed all 40 temporary housing units across three secondary sites in Lahaina. This effort supports moving wildfire survivors back to West Maui. Eligible survivors in FEMA’s Direct Housing Program have been assigned a unit and are expected to move-in this fall after the necessary safety checks and readiness inspections on the units are complete.

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FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE:

• Survivors who locate temporary housing on their own may get help from the Rental Assistance Program.
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• Survivors who received initial Rental Assistance from FEMA may be eligible for continued rental assistance depending on their need. To request an application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance or to get help completing the form, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Operators that speak many languages are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST, seven days a week. Hours may be longer during high disaster activity. For language services press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FEMA:

• Survivors are encouraged to keep their information current because missing or wrong information could delay the delivery of FEMA assistance. When contacting FEMA, survivors should be prepared to give the specialist the nine-digit number assigned to them when they applied for disaster assistance.
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• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov Click on the green ‘Check Status’ button to create an online account. Use the same email provided when applying for assistance. If the survivor applied for assistance online or using the FEMA app, they already have a disaster assistance account.
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• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If the survivor uses a video relay service, captioned telephone service or other communication services, they should remember to give FEMA their specific number assigned for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST, seven days a week. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks another language.

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DEBRIS REMOVAL:

• If issues arise or debris is found after a survivor’s property was cleared, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will review the survivor’s case to confirm qualification and determine next steps. For questions or assistance, contact the Debris Call Center at 877-214-9117.
• Transportation of Lahaina wildfire debris continues from the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē.
  
  • Work occurs during daylight hours, six days a week.
    
  • The approximately 19-mile primary hauling route will utilize former cane haul roads to minimize the impact on traffic. From the temporary site, trucks will travel along Honoapiʻilani Highway (HI-30) from Olowalu to Māʻalaea and then turn onto Kūihelani Highway (HI-380) before utilizing the cane haul roads from Waikō Road to the PDS.
  • More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, a map of the hauling route and the Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) Transfer & Closure Plan, is available at www.MauiRecovers.org/debristransfer. The USACE Debris Hotline is 877-214-9117.

DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT:

State Disaster Case Management

• The State’s Disaster Case Management Program helps assess and address needs through a disaster recovery plan which includes resources, decision making priorities, and providing guidance to help survivors navigate their recovery.
  
  
• State Disaster Case Management services are available at no cost to Maui wildfire survivors. Any survivor who was affected by the wildfires, regardless of FEMA eligibility or other federal assistance, may request help from specially trained disaster case managers. They will help assist to develop a unique and comprehensive recovery plan.
  
  
• To access the State DCMP, call 211 and press '4' to get started and enroll today. DCMP enrollment from the mainland, call 808-ASK-2000 or email DR4724Maui@svdpdisaster.org.

LONG TERM RECOVERY GROUP DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT

• In partnership with local organizations, the Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group (Hoʻōla LTRG) has launched a community-led Disaster Case Management and Survivor Support program. Rooted in culturally grounded approaches and values, this program offers a local alternative with trauma-informed, holistic support.
  
  
• To access the LTRG DCMP, call 260-271-9501 or apply online at www.mauilongtermrecovery.org/resources
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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

• FEMA continues to support the overall wellbeing of wildfire survivors. The agency’s work with partners at the state, county and community level has increased the availability of comprehensive resources throughout the response and recovery process. FEMA will continue to refer individuals to appropriate resources to support those encountering difficulties that are outside the scope of the agency.
  
  • To find a comprehensive list of resources to suit specific needs, survivors should visit MauiRecovers.org or call 988 to receive referrals over the phone. Survivors may also contact their Recertification Advisor and their Disaster Case Manager to receive lists of resources available in their area.
  • If survivors have a number with an area code outside of Hawaiʻi and wish to be connected with a local crisis counselor, use the direct number 808-832-3100.
• Mental health services for adolescent and young children are available through:
  
  • The Department of Health Maui Family Guidance Center (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division) is available for youth with severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Call 808-243-1252 to inquire about services.
  • Na Keiki O Emalia offers peer-to-peer grief support for children and their families. Call 808-244-7467 for further information.
• The Lahaina Community Health Center’s Kokua Maui line provides emotional support and resource guidance to survivors of the Lahaina and Kula wildfires. For support, call 808-658-9769, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 crisis counseling for emotional distress related to a disaster at 800-985-5990.
• Women Helping Women is available to support women experiencing domestic violence. Their hotline is available 24/7 at 808-579-9581.
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STATE INTERIM HOUSING PROGRAM:

• The Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Program (HIHP) is a temporary government program; one of many set-up by entities to include governmental, private, and non-profit; to assist those affected by the August 2023 wildfires. This State program received 2085 applications.  There are 610 projected housing units of varying sizes in the program located at Hale o Laie (formerly the Haggai Institute in Kihei) and Ka Lai Ola (in West Maui.) The HIHP application period closed on January 15, 2025. For further information call 808-727-1550 or visit the HIHP website at https://hiorr.hawaii.gov/hihp/.

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STATE BENEFITS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES:

• ‍Maui Relief TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Program, managed by the state Department of Human Services and Maui Economic Opportunity, offers cash assistance to families affected by the wildfires. Eligible families must have at least one child under age 18 and must have experienced property loss or damage, and a reduction of earnings or employment as a direct result of the fires. The program also offers four months of support for long-term rentals. To apply, call 808-243-4404; email NRST@meoinc.org or visit www.meoinc.org.  

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U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION:

• SBA has closed its two locations on Maui as of Aug. 21, 2025.
• SBA will accept late applications if delays were caused by circumstances beyond the applicant’s control.
  
  • For assistance with late applications, contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • For people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires - YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema.