KEY MESSAGES:

• Due to reduced demand, FEMA will end in-person staffing at the Lahaina Resource Center in West Maui on July 3. FEMA staff is no longer present at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center in Central Maui as of June 18. There are still many other ways to contact FEMA and wildfire survivors are encouraged to stay in touch.
• For survivors in FEMA Direct Housing, they may continue to contact their Recertification or Revocation Advisors directly.·       Survivors can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for assistance.
• Survivors may submit documentation via their online account, mail letters and supporting files via USPS/mail, or fax documents to 800-827-8112 (Attn: FEMA). ·       Trucks carrying Lahaina wildfire debris continue transport operations from the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē, as work began to transfer approximately 400,000 tons of debris to the permanent site.
• FEMA began moving temporary housing units from the staging site in Lahaina to private sites on June 26, 2025. Movement of units to private and secondary sites will take place over the next several weeks. This will provide further available housing for wildfire survivors in West Maui.
• Those in our Direct Housing program must remain in compliance with FEMA rules and regulations, including on-time payment of rent, in order to remain in their FEMA temporary housing. Households that currently are not in compliance have received revocation notices. FEMA staff will continue to assist those households to get back in compliance to remain in their FEMA housing.
• Trucks carrying Lahaina wildfire debris continue transport operations from the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē, as work began to transfer approximately 400,000 tons of debris to the permanent site.

HOUSING:

• As wildfire survivors continue to work towards rebuilding, there are currently 383 permits that have been issued and 301 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 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 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.
• 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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Direct Housing

• After providing 18 months of rent-free housing, FEMA began charging rent on March 1 to those in the Direct Housing program. This transition marks a step toward restoring normalcy and encourages survivors to resume their regular routines and financial responsibilities. Notably, 91% of households currently in FEMA Direct Housing were renters before the disaster and are already accustomed to making monthly rent payments.
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• 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 (six hours ahead of Hawaiʻi time), for assistance or to make a payment over the phone.
  • By Mail: Survivors should send their check or money order to the address provided in their billing statement. They should allow additional time for mail delivery.
  • In-person: FEMA staff is available to help households pay rent 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, located at 153 E Kamehameha Ave., Suite 101 in Kahului and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at Maui County’s Office of Recovery at the Lahaina Gateway located at 325 Keawe St. in Lahaina.

• All Direct Housing participants must pay their full rental amount by the deadline in their rental bill. Payments made beyond the 1^st 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.
• If the household does not pay the HUD Fair Market Rent and all associated fees in full, they will be removed from their current unit and from FEMA’s Direct Housing program entirely.
• For questions about Direct Housing billing, to inquire on whether a rental payment has been received, or to pay rent, contact FEMA Finance at 866-804-2469, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST (six hours ahead of Hawaiʻi time). Survivors can also email FEMA-Finance-AccountsReceivable-Deposits@FEMA.dhs.gov for assistance.
• For questions on FEMA temporary housing survivors should contact their recertification advisor or call the Individual Assistance Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600.

Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site

• FEMA continues to house wildfire survivors at Kilohana. No property management companies are involved in the operation of the site.
• 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.
• 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.

Primary Sites

• Six Lahaina homeowners in the Direct Housing program will have FEMA temporary housing units placed on their private property while they rebuild their home.
• The property must meet lot size requirements and be outside of the high hazard coastal floodplain.

Secondary Sites

• FEMA is in the process of placing approximately 40 temporary manufactured housing units on three privately owned properties in Lahaina.ʻ
  
  • The goal is to have all units in place and households licensed in before the start of the new school year.

• Thirty-three units have arrived on Maui and after being transported from San Diego on barges. From May 12 to 16, they will be transported nightly from Kahului to Lahaina.

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.
• On June 16, 2025, trucks carrying Lahaina wildfire debris began transport operations from the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē
• Up to 50 trucks identified by “Lahaina Wildfire Debris” decals will be making multiple round trips daily. Work will be occurring during daylight hours, seven days a week, for an estimated five months. For the safety of work crews at both sites, no night operations will occur.
• 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.

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DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT:

• The 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.
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• 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.
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• To access the DCMP, call 211 and press '4' to get started and enroll today. DCMP enrollment from the mainland, call 808-ASK-2000 (808-275-2000).
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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.
• The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling 988. The lifeline connects individuals with local crisis centers based on their area code. In Hawaiʻi, callers will be directed to Hawaiʻi Cares. 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 two offices open in Maui County to provide a wide range of services to businesses and individuals impacted by the wildfires, including high winds. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge.
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  • Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement located at 70 E Kaʻahumanu, Unit D-1 in Kahului. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HST Monday to Friday.
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  • Maui County Office of Recovery at the Lahaina Gateway, Unit 102-B (near Ace Hardware) located at 325 Keawe St. in Lahaina. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. HST Wednesday.
• SBA will accept late applications if delays were caused by circumstances beyond the applicant’s control.
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  • For assistance with late applications, visit any of the three SBA Centers on Maui or contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or visit www.sba.gov/disaster or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
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  • 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.