Visiting Maui
We have heard from our members and other businesses in the community about the need for messaging around visiting Maui. We are sharing the following statement on our homepage and social media:
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports our visitor industry and local businesses. We stand with our many business members and partners in saying that while Lahaina is closed due to the tragedy, we welcome you to visit the other beautiful areas of our island community. Please visit with Aloha, shop local, and respect the Westside during this crisis and time for much-needed healing. Please do not visit any restricted areas and follow any County of Maui restrictions. There are still many beautiful spots to see and amazing things to do. Please visit the Hawaii Tourism Authority site for more information.
Federal Resource Fair - Saturday, August 19
A federal resource fair will be held on Saturday, August 19 from 1pm-5pm at the Maui Economic Development Board's Malcolm Center at 1305 North Holopono Street, Suite 5 in Kihei. Help will be available to sign up for disaster assistance, replace lost or damaged passports, social security card replacement, veterans benefits, small business assistance, mail services, and more.
Shuttle services will be provided from the shelter at the South Maui Community Park Gym and is reserved for those community members directly impacted by the fires.
RSVPs are requested, but not required.
Family Assistance Center Moves to Kaanapali
The Family Assistance Center has been moved from the Kahului Community Center to the Hyatt Regency's Monarchy Ballroom at 200 Nohea Kai Drive in Kaanapali effective today (Friday, 8/18) and will be open from 10am-8pm. The Family Assistance Center's new location will now be closer to those impacted and will be a one-stop shop of resources and services. They have also added other service options and will have the following agencies available to help: American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA Disaster Assistance, Maui County Office of Economic Development - Workforce Development, Maui Economic Opportunity, Tzu Chi Foundation (emergency financial assistance), chaplain services, and legal information from members of the Maui County Bar Association.
FEMA Disaster Center
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.
SBA Business Recovery Center
The SBA Recovery Center has been opened at the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Maui Research Technology Center (Building A, Ste. 119, 590 Lipoa Parkway in Kihei). They are open Mondays-Fridays 8am-5pm and Saturdays from 10am-2pm.
Lahaina Post Office Partial Reopening
The Lahaina Main Post Office (1760 Honoapi'ilani Hwy) will reopen for business on Saturday, August 19, but without retail services. Beginning Saturday, Carriers will resume mail delivery to addresses that are accessible and at which homes and mail receptacles are still standing. Mail delivery to customers with PO Boxes at that office will also resume that day. Mail can also be picked up from the dutch door in the lobby of the Lahaina Main Post Office by customers with street delivery who reside in currently inaccessible areas, customers whose homes or mail recepticles are no longer standing, and PO Box customers of the Lahaina Downtown Post Office. This service will operate from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday. The temporary mail pickup at the Wailuku Post Office will close at the end of day on Friday 8/18.
Maui Help with Immigration Issues
Maui residents affected by the fires can speak to representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center at UH-Maui College today until 6pm and tomorrow (Saturday, August 19 from 8am-11:00am.
Click Here for More Information on Immigration Relief
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/.
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. No clothes at this time, please. 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 8/14.