#lahaina

Some families are struggling to rebuild and plan for the future with the timing of the proposed $4 billion settlement for survivors up in the air.

Elizabeth Pickett was honored by the media organization Grist for tackling pressing climate problems.

Ceremonies and events were hosted Thursday throughout Hawai‘i — including in Hilo — to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires that ravaged parts of Maui, especially the blaze that decimated historic Lahaina.

The power company signed a five-year contract with California-based ALERTWest that will install a total of 78 camera stations in elevated fire risk areas on the five islands served by the company, with each location having two cameras to provide a full 360-degree view.

This program will impact approximately 19,300 customers on the Big Island located between Kohala and Waikōloa in North Hawai‘i, between Kalaoa and Hōlualoa in West Hawai‘i and between Mauna Kea Access Road and Waiki‘i Ranch.

May 19-25 is also Hurricane Preparedness Week in Hawai’i and officials urge everyone in the state to take action now, before a tropical cyclone looms, to make sure they, their loved ones and neighbors have what they need to weather a storm.

The Waimea Community Association’s May 2 meeting from will focus on emergency response communications and collaboration.

Sen. Hirono first visited with Lahainaluna students participating in the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival who are being hosted by the YMCA of Hawai‘i Island.

The prequel to the festival’s 3 days of hula competition, which kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday with the individual Miss Aloha Hula contest, also celebrated Native Hawaiian culture by honoring 40 years of efforts by ‘Aha Pūnana Leo to revitalize and normalize ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language). The festival also collected donations to help recovery efforts in Lāhainā, Maui, after a deadly wildfire devastated the community in August 2023.

To kōkua (help) the people from West Maui, many of whom lost loved ones, their homes or both, the Merrie Monarch organizers decided to allow free admission to this year’s Hō’ike Night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium tonight, with the option to donate to the Lāhainā community at the door.

The Phase One report analyzes how the fire incident unfolded, based on science, during the first 24 to 72 hours of the fire and its aftermath, and includes a comprehensive timeline of events.

The report details the Green Administration’s strategies for statewide challenges while describing initiatives to bolster Maui’s long-term recovery and Hawai‘i’s long-term resilience. 

Although the House draft of the state budget focuses heavily on addressing expenses related to the Maui wildfires, House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita has said core services throughout the state must be maintained.

The Committee on Ways and Means continues to support bills that aid the people of Maui, and the survivors and victims of the August 2023 wildfire.

The UHERO report lists several key takeaways for the upcoming year.

In a poll last week we wanted to know what issues you thought should take priority this legislative session. Out of the 445 votes, 118 voters agreed all the issues listed in the poll were priorities.

Despite the tragedy on Maui, Green said the state came together to support each other. As a result, he reports that the state of Hawai‘i is strong.

Lawmakers plan to address statewide issues laid bare during the devastating Maui wildfires.

Pledge to Our Keiki is designed to amplify the voices of Hawaiʻi students, focusing collective efforts on community needs.

Sen. Ronald Kouchi or Kaua’i, who has led the chamber since 2015, conveyed a message of interconnectedness and collaboration necessary to tackle the issues facing the state during this session and beyond.