Maui federal workers expressed relief Friday, but still were uneasy about the future following President Donald Trump’s agreement to reopen the government until Feb. 15 while negotiating with Congress over his border wall.

On Friday, the 35th day of the partial shutdown, the longest in history, Trump signed legislation funding shuttered agencies for three weeks. Some 800,000 federal workers have missed two paychecks since the shutdown began.

“It’s definitely a lot of stress lifted off of our shoulders,” said Ekahi Lee, officer in charge at U.S. Coast Guard Station Maui. “Hopefully, . . . they can have a positive solution to this, not just a temporary fix. It’s definitely weight lifted off of our shoulders.”

Lee, a boatswain mate chief petty officer, was just finishing training in South Maui on Friday morning and was headed back to the Maalaea station, where 26 personnel have been working without pay.

None of them has been evicted or has had serious financial issues during the shutdown, Lee said. Landlords have been supportive of Coast Guard workers and have allowed them to pay what they can for now for rent.

“Luckily, it’s only been a month, and we’ve definitely had an outpouring of support from the community,” Lee said, referring to the gifts of meals, gift cards and toiletries.

All over Maui County, community groups, individuals and businesses have been donating items and offering allowances for federal workers affected by the shutdown. This includes financial institutions offering low interest loan programs and mortgage deferments.

“At the end of the day, you don’t really know you need it until you need it,” Lee said of the donations of basic necessities. “It definitely motivates the guys to keep working.”

Members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation welcomed the reopening of the government.

“I want to express my sympathy and my solidarity with all of the workers in Hawaii who had to go through this experience,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said. “A huge thank you must also go to Hawaii’s banks, credit unions, utilities, and nonprofits that stepped up to help federal workers in our state.

“Shutdowns don’t work, and I’m hopeful that everyone has learned this lesson for the last time.”

“Today’s announcement is a welcome, albeit temporary, end to this unnecessary, unconscionable Trump shutdown,” said Mazie Hirono, Hawaii’s other U.S. senator.

She said that Trump “took hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors, and indeed the entire country, hostage — all because of his obsession with building his vanity wall.”

“While the debate continues on border security, we need to pass a bill to fully fund all government operations through the end of the fiscal year. Come Feb. 15th, there cannot be another government shutdown,” Hirono added.

A Transportation Security Administration employee said there was “just a positive feeling of temporary relief” when workers heard the news Friday. But the worker said providing back pay for the last 35 days should be “swift.”

He asked to remain anonymous because TSA workers were told not to speak to the media.

“It’s great news,” said a TSA supervisor, adding “I think (the government) may only be reopened for three weeks.”

“Hopefully, we will get our back pay within that time, too,” said the supervisor, who also asked to remain anonymous. Some in the ranks of Maui’s TSA have reported receiving letters from creditors.

Allen Tom, regional director for the National Marine Sanctuaries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said he hoped to be back on the job Monday and have programs up and running.

That includes the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center in Kihei. He expected to reopen the center at 10 a.m. Monday.

“That’s all I know at this point,” Tom said at noon Friday, shortly after Trump’s announcement. “We are waiting for the actual bill to be signed and for us to look at.”

“We are relieved, happy, and just grateful to get back to work,” he added.

It also was too early for Haleakala National Park spokeswoman Nancy Stimson to provide an update on park operations Friday afternoon.

“We don’t have any information. It’s all too very early,” said Stimson, who was among a small group of park officials working minimal hours without pay.

A few park rangers worked without pay during the shutdown, and sunrise visits continued for visitors with reservations. Trails and some campgrounds have remained open.

However, visitor centers at the summit and in Kipahulu have been closed, as have cabins in the crater.

During the shutdown, Friends of Haleakala National Park volunteers have been passing out maps and informing park-goers of park rules. Native Hawaiians also have made treks to the summit to practice cultural traditions and to gently remind visitors of park rules.

Friends of Haleakala National Park publicity coordinator Mele Stokesberry said she is really glad the park can be fully staffed again and hoped it would not be shut down again.

If the park is not fully staffed today, the group will be at the summit over the weekend to continue to pass out maps and answer questions. The nonprofit group also is available to help after staff returns, because “they will have a lot to do,” Stokesberry added.

While restrooms at visitor centers have been cleaned and well stocked thanks to volunteers and custodial staff paid by commercial tour companies, Stokesberry heard from a fellow volunteer that the Holua Cabin in the crater was vandalized. Last weekend, a volunteer reported a broken window at the cabin.

There also was trash, food and plastic waste at the campsite. The restrooms had toilet paper but needed cleaning, she said.

* The Associated Press and Staff Writer Kehau Cerizo contributed to this report. Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.