Governor Josh Green announced a $175 million compensation fund for families who lost loved ones in the Lahaina wildfires, with each eligible family set to receive $1.5 million starting from March 1. The fund, modeled after the 9/11 compensation fund, may also compensate those who lost land, with recipients agreeing not to pursue lawsuits against fund participants. Additionally, FEMA officials provided an update on efforts to rebuild King Kamehameha School, while the announcement coincides with the six-month anniversary of the Maui wildfires that claimed at least 100 lives and left thousands of survivors without permanent housing.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green proposes aggressive steps to shift vacation rentals into residential use to address the acute housing needs in Maui, particularly for 5,000 residents displaced by the Lahaina wildfire. He plans to encourage owners of vacation rentals to make their units available to wildfire evacuees and proposes a two-year "tax amnesty" to incentivize owners to sell to owner-occupants or long-term rental landlords. Green also seeks $373 million in the budget for infrastructure and housing, and suggests imposing a $25 "climate impact fee" on each family visiting Hawaii to raise funds for environmental upkeep. Democratic House leaders express cooperation and openness to the governor's proposals.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green is calling for 3,000 vacation rentals to be converted into long-term housing for survivors of the devastating Maui wildfire. He has threatened to use post-fire emergency orders to force landlords who refuse. Currently, there are 6,297 residents still living in hotels more than four months after the wildfire. The lack of stable housing has caused stress for Lahaina residents, with some camping out on the beach. Green aims to provide interim housing for two years while more housing is built on Maui, and tax incentives and rent subsidies are being offered to encourage participation.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green is considering a ban on short-term rentals in Maui if owners of 3,000 units do not convert them into long-term housing for wildfire victims. The current emergency proclamation expires on January 4, and Green is prepared to take necessary action to get families out of hotels and into permanent housing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent letters to 13,000 owners of short-term rental units, offering financial incentives for conversion. Some owners have expressed reluctance to rent to local people, which has angered the governor.
Governor Josh Green hopes that the number of people unaccounted for from the Lahaina fire in Maui, currently at 388, will drop below 50 when a new list is released. The death toll from the wildfire has reached 115, and Green expects the number of missing individuals to be in the lower double digits. While it is not much consolation, it is a relief that the number is not as high as initially projected.
The search and rescue operation on land in Lahaina Town, where a deadly wildfire occurred, is now complete, and no more survivors are expected to be found. Governor Josh Green highlighted the significance of reaching this milestone and assured the public that efforts will continue to help people rebuild their lives. The fatality count remains at 115, and crews are assessing data to determine if remains belong to more than one person. The number of unaccounted individuals has been reduced to 388, with ongoing efforts to validate the exact number. FEMA assistance registrations have reached 11,010, and over 6,000 people are temporarily housed in hotels and Airbnb units. The next phases will focus on temporary and permanent housing, with the expectation of available resources, but challenges lie ahead.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green discusses the ongoing wildfires in Maui, stating that over 1,000 people are still unaccounted for and it may take weeks to identify remains. He acknowledges the possibility that many of the deceased may be children who were left home alone or with their grandparents. Governor Green also addresses concerns about the functionality of the siren system, explaining that historically, sirens were used for tsunamis and hurricanes, not fires. He emphasizes the need to address climate change and its impact on the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires.
