# [#]Aloha Friend,

Six months ago today, we lost one hundred of our loved ones in the Maui fires, and the lives of thousands more were changed forever.

Hurricane-force winds fanned wildfires on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, causing the worst natural disaster in our state’s history.

# [#] Words cannot adequately describe the devastation caused by the fires that scorched thousands of acres and destroyed nearly all of Lahaina.

Today cranes, excavators, and bulldozers are still clearing debris — removing one by one what is left of burned houses and the melted husks of cars and abandoned pickup trucks.

Environmental crews continue to monitor the safety of the air, water, and soil in the affected area.

In addition to the lives we lost that day, an estimated 9,806 people were displaced and 3,971 properties were destroyed.

Thanks to our partners, over the last six months we have been able to house 7,796 people in need in short-term accommodations — and with the help of the American Red Cross and other non-profit organizations, we have provided over 1.2 million meals.

We continue to work closely with FEMA — as well as Maui County and our federal and non-profit partners — to put Lahaina on a path to recovery, while making every effort to preserve its distinct culture and sense of community.

Today, I will be joining Mayor Richard Bissen, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and other leaders in this effort at the UH campus in Kahului to deliver an update on our progress over the past six months, our current efforts, and the path forward for Maui’s recovery.

I will also give further details on our plans to support the victims and their families, and provide long-term housing for those displaced by the fires, including: *
the
$175
million
One
Ohana
fund
to
offer
on
a
voluntary
basis
$1.5
million
to
families
of
those
who
lost
a
loved
one
or
suffered
serious
injury
in
the
disaster
*
*
the
$500
million
Housing
Partnership
funded
by
FEMA,
the
State
of
Hawaii,
Maui
County,
the
Hawaii
Community
Foundation,
and
other
philanthropic
partners
to
provide
3,000
long-term
housing
units
with
18-month
commitments
to
house
displaced
families

I would like to thank you personally for the aloha and support you have shown the people Maui of over the past six months — it has made a tremendous difference in the slow and sometimes difficult process of recovery and healing we have all been through.

I believe more than ever that the people of Hawaii are one ohana — and we are in this together.

Mahalo,

Josh



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