Nonprofit organization West Maui Improvement Foundation (WMIF) today announced the receipt of another $1,250,000 in funding to purchase a modular fire station for Olowalu. The Benioff Family Foundation donated $1 million and the Arrillaga Family Foundation, as directed by Justine Stamen & John Arrillaga, $250,000.
“Although we are fortunate to have several relief fleet… we’re still in our drought season. We still are averaging about 60 wildfires a month, and so this truck will be going to work pretty quickly here… It will not lay unused,” said Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura.
In the aftermath of the devastating fires that swept through Maui in August 2023, a concerned resident from West Maui, in collaboration with the Maui Chamber
The pin, named after the Hawaiian phrase “Mālama Maui,” signifying “Caring for Maui,” hopes to offer solace to residents while providing guidance for visitors. Its fundamental purpose is to establish a supportive environment for residents by offering a visual cue to visitors, signifying the importance of refraining from inquiring about the experiences of Maui residents, thus respecting their privacy.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen cautioned a crowd of more than 600 during a community meeting Friday night at the Lahaina Civic Center that it would be a “fair estimate” of 18 months to two years before those who lost homes in the deadly Aug. 8 wildfire could begin to rebuild.