FIRE UPDATE

County fire investigators have concluded that the Kula and Olinda fires have distinct origins. As of today, 8/17, data for these fires will be reported separately. Hot spots in gulches, forests and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make establishment of complete control lines difficult in the Upcountry fires. As mapping is refined in coming days, estimated fire acreage may be adjusted. On 8/16, Chinook helicopters dropped water on the perimeter of the active fires as preventative measures. 

· Olinda fire (initially reported 8/8): Now 85% contained. Estimated 1,081 acres. There are no active threats at this time.

· Kula fire (initially reported 8/8): Now 80% contained. Estimated 202 acres. There are no active threats at this time.

· Lahaina fire (initially reported 8/8): Now 89% contained. Estimated 2,170 acres. There are no active threats at this time. 

· Pulehu / Kihei fire (initially reported 8/8): Remains 100% contained. The Pulehu/Kihei fire was declared 100% contained Saturday. There are no active threats at this time. 

* When a fire is 100% contained, it does not mean it has been extinguished. It means that firefighters have the blaze fully surrounded. A fire is declared “extinguished,” when fire personnel believe there is nothing left burning.

FATALITY UPDATE

The number of confirmed fatalities is 111, the Maui Police Department reported 8/16. Police reported that 40 percent of the area has been searched.

WEATHER

According to the National Weather Service, fairly dry and stable conditions are expected across the islands through Friday. Breezy trade winds today, 8/17, are forecast to remain through tonight, then weaken Friday through the weekend. Rain associated with the remnants of former tropical cyclone Fernanda is forecast to approach the state starting late Sunday and spread westward across the state on Monday and Tuesday. The highest rainfall amounts are forecast to occur Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning along windward and mountain slopes of Maui.

ROAD OPENING

The road to Lahaina reopened to all motorists from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 8/16. Late-night access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is limited to West Maui residents, first responders and West Maui employees. 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.

DMVL SATELLITE OFFICE IN LAHAINA

The County of Maui Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing’s Lahaina Satellite Office will be available daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning 8/16 at Lahaina Gateway Center, 325 Keawe St., to assist West Maui residents whose Hawaiʻi driver’s licenses or Hawaiʻi State Identification cards have been lost or destroyed by wildfires. For more information, call (808) 270-7363. On Wednesday, 8/16, the division produced 32 temporary identifications to be delivered today, 8/17 in Lahaina.

RECENTLY RESTORED IN WEST MAUI

Hawaiian Electric reported Aug. 16 that power has been restored to more than 80% of customers who have been without electricity since the Maui Wildfire Disaster. Power has been restored to the Lahaina Civic Center and other areas. Work continues on infrastructure to support restoration in the West Maui area, where facilities that provide essential needs such as groceries and supplies are located. Approximately 2,000 customers in West Maui are without electricity. In Upcountry, crews continue to respond to pocket outages for an estimated 60 customers. There are more than 400 Hawaiian Electric employees and contractors from Maui, Oahu, Hawaii Island, Molokai and Lanai who are working to safely bring power back to our Maui communities. This includes construction crews and tree trimmers as well as line crews and other support teams.

All five emergency shelters have internet connection.

UNSAFE WATER ADVISORY

Water testing was performed for Lahaina and Upper Kula areas that were impacted by wildfires. The test samples went to Oahu and are being analyzed by the state Department of Health. Even if the initial testing is clear, it will take time and additional tests to confirm that the water is safe to drink.

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. 

TRANSPORTATION

Maui Economic Opportunity will offer free rides for medical appointments for people impacted by the fires who are sheltering at the South Maui Community Park Gymnasium and Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. The service by reservation operates daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations can be made from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at (808) 877-7651. 

Daily county shuttle service is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Central Maui shelters to go to Central Maui shopping and medical locations. 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.

For all other transportation needs, riders may use The Maui Bus.

FEMA OPENS DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER ON MAUI

Maui residents affected by the recent wildfires can apply for federal disaster assistance at a joint Disaster Recovery Center that operates daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Hawaii Maui College, 310 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului. Speak to FEMA specialists, get help registering for disaster assistance, connect with volunteer organizations and have access to federal and state resources. 

MATERIAL DONATIONS

Donations of 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 Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters to coordinate food and supplies distribution. The collection site at War Memorial Complex field off Kanaloa Avenue was closed Monday, 8/14.

ONLINE RESOURCE HUB FOR RESPONSE EFFORTS TO MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER

An online, centralized hub to respond to the impacts of the Lahaina and Kula wildfire disaster was launched at mauinuistrong.info. The County of Maui Maui Nui Strong site offers information on how to donate, volunteer, offer services and look for support. It is administered through the county Office of Economic Development and will be utilized to connect people to resources and services.

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

· South Maui Community Park Gymnasium, Kihei 

There were 166 people in shelters overnight Wednesday, according to the American Red Cross. Another 279 people were moved from shelters into temporary housing in hotel rooms.

WEST MAUI DISTRIBUTION SITES

Lahaina Gateway Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Napili Plaza around the clock 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 www.mauihealth.org/wildfire.

Kaiser Permanente is 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 will now be aired daily at noon on local radio stations. The final Civil Air Patrol Hawaiʻi Wing broadcast via loudspeaker was 8/16.

HEALTH ADVISORY

The state 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. For more information about recommendations for personal protective equipment including masks and associated hazards, go to https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-advises-caution-for-residents-returning-to-west-maui-area/.

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.

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