On August 8, 2023, the community of Lāhainā was devastated by the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history in more than 100 years. We are heartbroken by the loss of so many of our family, friends, and neighbors and the destruction of Lāhainā Town.

First, I want to commend the people within the community themselves, who upon realizing what was happening, took brave actions to help as many of their neighbors as possible. Quick actions taken as the disaster was occurring surely saved more lives. (Read more)

In an inspiring display of community solidarity, Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Cathy Betts accompanied by Deputy Directors Joseph Campos and Trista Speer, led efforts on Maui to set up housing options for displaced individuals and families from keiki to kūpuna. (Read more)

EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING ASSISTS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WITH ITS RESPONSE EFFORTS

The Hawai‘i Department of Transporta­tion (HDOT) assisted with emergency response to the fires in Lāhainā and Kula, including working with the Maui Police and Fire Departments on the evacuation of nonessential individuals, and planning for needed goods to come into West Maui.

A few of the immediate needs HDOT Airports division focused on at the beginning of the disaster, surrounded working with the airlines to increase seat counts for emergency evacuation of visitors, working with the county to establish transportation for visitors and residents to shelters, working with TSA to eliminate checkpoint delays and feeding stranded travelers overnight at Kahului airport as they waited to evacuate. (Read more)

DBEDT SUPPORTING HAWAI‘I FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS

MAUI WILDFIRE RESOURCES

About the Newsletter Design:

Created by longtime local design firm Eric Woo Design Inc., the newsletter header, or nameplate features symbolism that represents the title, “A New Path Forward.” The background color transitions from dark to lighter green as a metaphor for moving toward a goal, or light. The lei encircling our major islands represents both the giver (Governor Green’s Administration) and the recipient (the people of Hawai‘i) and shows the connection guided by affection and respect. The repeated, orange triangular ‘ohe kapala design visualizes a path to the future and reflects that forward movement is rarely perfectly straight.