Honoring Lāhainā — Two Years Later

• Hawaiʻi CARES 988
  • If you need support for mental health, substance use, or suicide prevention, you can reach out to 988 for 24/7 free and confidential conversations via call or text. For Maui residents, the local number to access these services is 1-800-753-6879. In-person support is also available. Case management services are available for a duration of 30 days to provide comprehensive support.
• NAMI Maui Strong Support Group
  • In-person support is provided every last Wednesday of the month, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Maui Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Lahaina. 
• Hawaiʻi UTelehealth
  • Free behavioral telehealth services appointments with a psychologist, psychiatrist, family medicine specialist, mental health counselor, or substance use counselor for all individuals in the State of Hawaiʻi through 2026. Please note that there may be a wait due to the high volume of patients.
• BetterHelp
  • If you’ve been directly impacted by the Maui fires, BetterHelp is offering 3 months of free therapy, which can be accessed by visiting betterhelp.com/voucher, and typing in: maui-fires.
• Imua Family Services
  • Nā Keiki O Emalia previously offered free grief counseling for children but has now moved to Imua Family Services. While Imua Family Services hasn’t updated its website as of July 18th, it has announced on Instagram that it will soon integrate these counseling services.
• Mindful Living Group
  • Mental health support, grief and trauma treatment, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue for victims, first responders, mental health professionals, and healthcare workers of Maui fires.
• Mental Health America
  • Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
  • Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”‍
  • For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click here or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
  • The helpline offers crisis counseling and information on recognizing distress and its effects. The service is open to anyone affected by disasters and offers support and healthy coping tips.
  • Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
  • Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
  • For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
• Relational Health online counseling for Maui fire survivors
  • Free online counseling for Maui fire survivors. Learn about the steps of grief, recovering from trauma, coping with stress, and making sense out of suffering. 
• Island Health 
  • Offering in-person and online group and individual therapeutic servics to process grief, trauama, and PTSD. Services for Maui residents are currently complimentary. By appointment only – call 808-336-2611 or islandhealth.vip for more information.

• Hawaiʻi CARES 988
  • If you need support for mental health, substance use, or suicide prevention, you can reach out to 988 for 24/7 free and confidential conversations via call or text. For Maui residents, the local number to access these services is 1-800-753-6879. In-person support is also available. Case management services are available for a duration of 30 days to provide comprehensive support.
• NAMI Maui Strong Support Group
  • In-person support is provided every last Wednesday of the month, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Maui Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Lahaina. 
• Hawaiʻi UTelehealth
  • Free behavioral telehealth services appointments with a psychologist, psychiatrist, family medicine specialist, mental health counselor, or substance use counselor for all individuals in the State of Hawaiʻi through 2026. Please note that there may be a wait due to the high volume of patients.
• BetterHelp
  • If you’ve been directly impacted by the Maui fires, BetterHelp is offering 3 months of free therapy, which can be accessed by visiting betterhelp.com/voucher, and typing in: maui-fires.
• Imua Family Services
  • Nā Keiki O Emalia previously offered free grief counseling for children but has now moved to Imua Family Services. While Imua Family Services hasn’t updated its website as of July 18th, it has announced on Instagram that it will soon integrate these counseling services.
• Mindful Living Group
  • Mental health support, grief and trauma treatment, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue for victims, first responders, mental health professionals, and healthcare workers of Maui fires.
• Mental Health America
  • Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
  • Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”‍
  • For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click here or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
  • The helpline offers crisis counseling and information on recognizing distress and its effects. The service is open to anyone affected by disasters and offers support and healthy coping tips.
  • Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
  • Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
  • For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
• Relational Health online counseling for Maui fire survivors
  • Free online counseling for Maui fire survivors. Learn about the steps of grief, recovering from trauma, coping with stress, and making sense out of suffering. 
• Island Health 
  • Offering in-person and online group and individual therapeutic servics to process grief, trauama, and PTSD. Services for Maui residents are currently complimentary. By appointment only – call 808-336-2611 or islandhealth.vip for more information.

Useful Strategies for Coping with Trauma Anniversaries

• Allow yourself to grieve and validate your feelings. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment. Your reactions are natural responses that deserve acceptance.
• Lean on your support system. Reach out to loved ones and communicate your need for support. Spending time together or just knowing they’re available can be comforting.
• Practice self-care. Prioritize activities that nurture your well-being, such as enjoying favorite foods, resting, exercising, or cleaning.
• Create positive associations. Engage in activities that create new, positive memories on this day, whether it’s planning outings, spending time in meaningful places, or simply celebrating life.
• Honor your experience through giving. Consider donating time or resources to support others who have gone through similar experiences. Reflecting with loved ones can also be a meaningful way to mark the occasion.
• Limit exposure to triggers like social media. Reduce your time on platforms that may expose you to distressing content, especially around sensitive dates.
• Prepare an emergency plan. Develop strategies to manage potential triggers or emotional distress. This could involve having a support network ready or accessing professional help if needed.

For more information on coping with trauma anniversaries, please visit Hawai’i Island Recovery and SAMHSA. 

• Lahaina Strong
  Maui and all of Hawai‘i’s pae ‘āina are binding together to provide immediate relief to those most impacted by the devastating Maui Fires. But as impacted families rise to their feet, we must also begin the process of recovery and empowering our ‘ohana to reconstruct their communities for the future.
• Roots Reborn Lahaina
  A multicultural immigrant justice and disaster response organization dedicated to supporting migrant and immigrant communities on Maui
• Tagnawa for Maui
  A working-class Filipino advocacy group addressing environmental challenges and fighting the plantation capitalism that led to and feeds on Maui fires & Filipino lands.
• Kaibigan ng Lahaina
  A community group seeking to inspire and cultivate a sense of belonging for the Filipino community in the rebuild in Lahaina.

To add or update resources on this page, please email to fiona@hiphi.org.

• State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Maui Wildfire Response
  Non-emergency medical care, prescription refills, and mental health services are available at locations in Lāhainā and Wailuku.

• Mental Health America of Hawaii
• Hawaiʻi DOH Maui Wildfire Response Medical & Behavioral Health Resources
• Hawaiʻi Cares Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Resource Guide
• NAMI Hawaii Maui Strong Support Group
• Disaster Distress Helpline

• Maui Recovers
• Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing Program
• Maui Food Bank
• SNAP Hot Foods Waiver
  SNAP recipients may purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits at select retailers through December 31, 2023.

Multiple organizations are coordinating efforts to collect and distribute donated bikes for residents affected by the wildfires. Request forms are available for Lāhainā and Kula residents in need of bikes for recovery and transportation through the resources listed below.

• Maui Bicycling League Bikes 4 Maui
• Krank Cycles Bicycles for Maui Wildfire Relief

• Maui Wildfire Disaster Unaccounted For List

Replacement vital records, including birth and marriage certificates, can be ordered online through the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH). Fees for first replacement copies are being waived for Maui residents with a FEMA disaster assistance ID number and/or a valid Lāhainā residential address.

• Hawaiʻi DOH Vital Records Online Ordering and Tracking
• Hawaiʻi DOH Vital Records Replacement Fact Sheet for Maui Wildfires

For further assistance, contact the Maui Vital Records hotline at (808) 984-2400 ext. 6-4602, Monday through Friday 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM, or via email at DOH.MauiVR@doh.hawaii.gov.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hawaiʻi Wildfires Disaster Assistance
  All individuals who were impacted by the Maui fires should apply for FEMA assistance. Submit an application online or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).
  Note: If you have insurance, file a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot help with losses already covered by insurance.
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
  In-person assistance is available daily from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center at the University of Hawaiʻi – Maui College (310 W. Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96731).
• FEMA Hawaiʻi Wildfires Rumor Control and Frequently Asked Questions
  Learn more about frequently asked questions and how to keep yourself, your ʻohana, and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams in the aftermath of the wildfires.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans for Hawaiʻi Wildfires
  SBA loans provide assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes. Maui County is currently eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Kalawao County is also eligible for economic injury assistance.
• SBA Hawaiʻi Wildfires Disaster Loans Fact Sheet

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
  Workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals in Maui County who became unemployed or had their work hours reduced or interrupted due to the wildfires may be eligible for DUA benefits for the period of August 13, 2023, through February 10, 2024. Eligible Maui residents should apply as soon as possible. The application deadline has been extended to October 25, 2023.

• Maui Recovers
  The official Maui County recovery resource website.
• Maui Department of Water Supply

• State of Hawaiʻi Office of Language Access Maui Wildfire Response
  Resources for people affected by the Maui wildfires are currently available in 12 languages. More languages will be added.
  • English
  • 中文 (Chinese)
  • Kapasen Chuuk (Chuukese)
  • ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian)
  • Ilokano (Ilocano)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • Kajin M̧ajeļ (Marshallese)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Tagalog (Tagalog)
  • Lea Faka-Tonga (Tongan)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

August 8, 2024 marks the one year anniversary of the devastating Maui wildfires. The fires left a lasting mark on our islands, altering both the physical landscape and the lives of countless individuals and families forever. The solidarity and outpouring of aloha for Maui in the past year has been incredible to witness. While we honor the strength and resilience of those affected by the fires, we also remain mindful of ongoing impacts on the health and well-being of our communities. 

The anniversary of a traumatic event can bring about a range of emotions. As we approach the anniversary of the Maui fires on August 8, survivors may experience psychological distress often referred to as the “anniversary effect.” While not all survivors experience the anniversary effect, it is a normal part of the healing process for many.

 The following in-person events, mental health resources, and coping strategies may be useful for those affected by the Maui fires.

Thursday, August 8, 2024

• • Kihei Community Gathering at 2439 South Kihei Rd #101B, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. A community gathering to honor survivors. There will be talk-story sessions and healing circles. Food and refreshments will be provided. Please see the flyer for the different activities of the day and their appropriate audiences. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact Jeff at jeffg@dehpcare.com or 808-336-2611 to make reservations and ask questions.
  • Paddle Out at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    A paddle out for surfers and paddlers. Spectators may watch from shore. The event will feature messages of hope, prayers, and music. Due to limited parking and public safety needs, Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park will have designated equipment drop-off and pick-up areas. Vehicle parking will be at the Lahaina Civic Center with shuttle service provided. 
  • Upcountry Aloha Luncheon at Hannibal Tavares Community Center (Pukalani), 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    A luncheon gathering to recognize the community’s resiliency in coming together during and in the aftermath of the devastating fires. A reservation is required.
  • Lahaina 1-Year Memorial at Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    A community gathering to pay tribute and give honor to the 102 beloved members of our community who perished in the August 8th tragedy. It is an event to offer comfort and strength as a resilient community comes together in remembrance, reverence, and fellowship. Out of respect for the community’s desire for sensitivity and dignity, this event is not for media attendance. Those who want to participate must fill out the Google Form below to reserve a spot.  Confirmations and updates will be sent out via e-mail. 

Friday, August 9, 2024 

• • Aloha for Kūpuna at Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    A special event dedicated to Lahaina kūpuna will bring together seniors at the Lahaina Civic Center from 9 a.m. to noon to enjoy camaraderie and a time to talk story. Hosted by Kaunoa Senior Center, the event program features popular activities that were held as part of the Kaunoa Clubhouse events in Kā‘anapali.
  • Kihei Community Gathering at 2439 South Kihei Rd #101B,  1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A community gathering to honor survivors. There will be talk-story sessions and healing circles. Refreshments will be provided. Please observe the flyer for the different activities of the day. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact Jeff at jeffg@dehpcare.com or 808-336-2611 to make reservations and ask questions.
  • Puana Aloha no Lahaina–A Concert for Lahaina at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Paying tribute through music, Puana Aloha no Lahaina—A Concert for Lahaina will highlight songs of Lahaina and West Maui with traditional Hawaiian music and contemporary songs. Local artists will take the stage in an array of performances at the Lahaina Civic Center. Many stories of Lahaina are told through mele, which has defined Lahaina’s community spirit for generations.

Saturday, August 10, 2024

• • Ka Malu ʻUlu O Lele Performance at H.P. Baldwin High School Auditorium, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    Over one hundred Kamehameha Schools Kapālama 6th grade students will return to Maui for an encore performance of the student-led show Ka Malu ‘Ulu O Lele: The Shaded Breadfruit Gove of Lele. The show tells the history of Lahaina’s legacy from revered aliʻi to modern-day aloha ‘āina champions. 
  • Lahaina Obon Festival at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Despite the immense losses their temples suffered in the August 8th devastation, Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, Lahaina Jodo Mission, and Lahaina Shingon Mission have combined efforts to host a special Obon Festival, continuing a tradition of enduring connections between generations. A community and cultural event that is a long-standing part of Lahaina Town’s heritage, the Japanese tradition of Obon, honoring the spirits of ancestors through dance, music, and community activities, will return with traditional Bon Odori dances and food stalls.

Sunday, August 11, 2024

• • Day of Hope & Prayer at the Lahaina Civic Center Gymnasium, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Faith leaders from churches and temples lost in the devastating fire of August 8th will lead this uplifting event dedicated to fostering hope, healing, and unity through collective faith. Refreshments will be available.
  • Upcountry Aloha at Oskie Rice Arena, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    The Upcountry Aloha event will bring together the upcountry community to honor its resilience and spirit. The evening features performances by local artists and food. 

Volunteers are needed at several of the remembrance gatherings. Sign-up at kuhiniamaui.org/volunteer.