15/08/2023
FIREWatch: County officials want to update the public on the latest from the Kula, Lahaina, and Kihei fires.
FIRE UPDATE
· Upcountry/Kula fire (initially reported 8/8): Now 60% contained. Estimated 678 acres. Hot spots in gulches, forests and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make establishment of complete control lines difficult. During daylight hours, Monday, 8/14, air support was deployed to hit hot spots inside the perimeter.
· Lahaina fire (initially reported 8/8): 85% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres. Multiple fire crews are assigned to monitor and address any flareups. There are no active threats at this time.
· Pulehu/Kihei fire (initially reported 8/8): Remains 100% contained. The Pulehu/Kīhei fire was declared 100 percent contained Saturday. Fire personnel are staying vigilant for flare-ups. There are no active threats at this time.
· Puʻukoliʻi / Kaʻanapali fire (initially reported 8/11): One acre. Extinguished 8/12. Remains extinguished.
When a fire is 100% contained, it does not mean it has been extinguished. It means that firefighters have the blaze fully surrounded by a perimeter, inside which it can still burn. A fire is declared “extinguished,” when fire personnel believe there is nothing left burning.
The National Guard has two military helicopters on standby for any immediate firefighting needs.
FATALITY UPDATE
The number of confirmed fatalities remains at 99, the Maui Police Department reported at about 9 a.m. Tuesday 8/15. Four have been identified. Their names will be released after their families are notified. Thirteen DNA profiles have been obtained from fatalities, and 41 DNA samples have been obtained from family members of missing people. About 32 percent of the area has been searched. To provide DNA samples, family members can go to the Family Assistance Center, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu St.
MATERIAL DONATIONS
Donations on non-perishable food, bottled water and hygiene products are being accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. near a vacant unit in Queen Ka’ahumanu Center at the Kane Street entrance. The new site is a partnership among the county, the state via Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Mahi Pono. Mahi Pono will provide staff for the facility and work under leadership of Salvation Army and Feed My Sheep to coordinate food and supplies distribution. The collection site at War Memorial Complex field off Kanaloa Avenue was closed Monday, 8/14, with donations directed to the new site.
ONLINE RESOURCE HUB FOR RESPONSE EFFORTS TO MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER
An online, centralized hub called Maui Nui Strong, mauinuistrong.info designed to respond to the impacts of the Lahaina and Kula wildfire disaster was launched at mauinuistrong.info. The County of Maui site offers information on how to donate, volunteer, offer services and look for support. It is administered through the Office of Economic Development and will be utilized by multiple county departments, nonprofits and grassroot efforts to connect people to resources and services.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Maui Police Department suspended its placard program for travel into West Maui.
Access into West Maui via Kahakuloa for West Maui residents: Open.
Access into West Maui via Māʻalaea: Restricted to emergency response personnel including authorized food distribution personnel.
Exit West Maui via Māʻalaea: Open.
Exit West Maui via Kahakuloa: Closed.
RECENTLY RESTORED IN WEST MAUI
Hawaiian Electric Co. reported on Monday, 8/14 that power was restored to all but 2,000 of the 12,400 customers who lost power in West Maui. The total doesnʻt include about 2,000 homes and businesses that were destroyed in the fire. Power was restored to the Lahaina Civic Center and nearby areas. HECO has 400 employees from across the state working on power restoration and shipped 26 specialized vehicles and equipment to Maui from Oahu.
All six emergency shelters now have internet connection.
Napili Plaza is now open 24/7 and has power restored.
With power being restored in some areas of West Maui, Ohana Fuels/Minit Stop on Keawe Street in Lahaina and Kahana Gateway Shell are open for gasoline.
UNSAFE WATER ADVISORY
Water testing was performed Monday 8/14 for Lahaina and Upper Kula areas that were impacted by wildfires. The tests got to Oahu and are analyzed by the state Department of Health.
For residents in Lahaina and Upper Kula areas, maps of affected areas in Upcountry and in Lahaina were recently released on the county Department of Water Supply website, www.mauicounty.gov/126/Department-of-Water-Supply. The advisory remains in effect for certain areas until further notice and states that residents should not drink and/or boil water. Bottled water should be used for all drinking, brushing teeth, ice making and food preparation until further notice. Residents are unable to treat the water in any way to make it safe. Drinking water sites are set up in many areas of Lahaina and Kula.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS (Due to privacy, no media allowed inside)
· Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Pukalani
· War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku (Internet)
· The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahului
· Kings Cathedral Church, Kahului
· Grace Bible Church, Kahului
· South Maui Community Park Gymnasium, Kihei
WEST MAUI DISTRIBUTION SITES
Lahaina Gateway Center and Napili Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today 8/15 for County of Maui-facilitated food, water and other needs and supplies.
WEST MAUI MEDICAL
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday, 8/15 to Friday, 8/18, Maui Health clinicians and physicians will provide first-aid, wound care, health and wellness checks and pharmacy services, including baby formula for all community members in need, regardless of health insurance, at Lahaina Gateway and Napili Plaza. For details, visit kp.org/hawaii.
Since Monday,8/14, Kaiser Permanente has been providing medical services to KP members and non-members at locations in Lahaina. Pharmacy courier services will be available at all three sites. These locations are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
· Kaiser Permanente’s Mobile Health Vehicle at Lahaina Gateway: Providing first aid, pediatric services, and OB/GYN services. OB/GYN services began 8/14 and will be offered every Friday beginning 8/18.
· Kaiser Permanente First Aid Station at the Hyatt Regency Lahaina, Lahaina Ballroom, and Napili Market: Providing first aid services.
COMMUNICATION
Text, not talk, is best for locations that have connectivity. Maui County updates are repeated on radio stations at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. The Civil Air Patrol Hawaiʻi Wing broadcast by loudspeaker while flying between Lahaina and Kapalua to announce important public messages on Sunday, 8/13, Monday, 8/14, and Tuesday, 8/15.
HEALTH ADVISORY
Thestate Department of Health is urging caution for residents and business owners who are allowed to return to their properties in the Lahaina area. Dangers include ash that may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals including asbestos, arsenic and lead and debris including broken glass, exposed electrical wires, nails, wood, plastics and other objects. Unstable buildings and structures may contain hazardous materials and could collapse and cause injury.
TRANSPORTATION
New, daily, county shuttle service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Central Maui shelters to go to Central Maui shopping and medical locations launched 8/13. Riders are required to call Roberts Hawaii for same-day reservations at (808) 871-4838. Mobility devices accommodated. Luggage and bags will be limited to what can be carried.
FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER (Due to privacy, no media allowed on premises)
The Family Assistance Center for those seeking information on loved ones and for those who are unaccounted for is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu Street. Maui Emergency Management Agency and FAC staff will work with families and individuals to gather detailed information and administer DNA swabs. The center launched 8/10.
