Today’s photo of the day for our digital version comes to us via Bruce Wheeler of Pukalani. It’s titled “The life of the land”. Send your pictures from the Valley Isle to rcollins@mauinews.com for a chance to have your photo featured on the front page of our Thursday print edition and five day a week digital edition. “I’m submitting the attached photo for possible use in the Maui News, the photo taken 5 July of the wetlands makai of S. Kihei Rd. near St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Mahalo for your consideration,” Wheeler wrote in his submission. Bruce Wheeler photo

Sewer user fee increase in effect at fiscal year

The County of Maui Department of Environmental ManagementWastewater Reclamation Division is reminding customers that sewer user fees have increased by an average of 2 percent for Fiscal Year 2025, which started on July 1. The rate increase was approved by the County Council to ensure that the County of Maui’s wastewater system is financially self-supporting.

In accordance with the Maui County Code, sewer user fees are structured so that each customer class pays its equitable share of operations, maintenance and repair of the wastewater infrastructure.

More information on the increase of sewer user rates and copies of budget documents and ordinances are available at: https://www.mauicounty.gov/139/Budget-Office.

Remembrance ride for Lahaina residents

Lahaina residents impacted by the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire will be able to participate in a specially arranged Remembrance Ride to view the ongoing recovery efforts for Lahaina Town. Three days of chartered buses organized by the County and coordinated through Kuhinia Maui will provide Lahaina residents an opportunity to see the current state and recovery progress that has taken place in Lahaina town.

Online reservations intended for Lahaina resident are required, as seats are limited. Remembrance Ride dates are scheduled for July 26-28 with five chartered motor coaches for each day. To register or for more information, go to www.KuhiniaMaui.org. Resident information will be required. In respect for the community’s request for sensitivity and dignity, this event closed to the media.

“We want to provide residents the opportunity to see first-hand the progress that has been made to prepare their hometown for the next steps of rebuilding,” said Mayor Bissen. “There will be a long road ahead, but it’s important that residents have the opportunity to witness the progress taking place to restore and rebuild their home. I want to thank Lahaina resident Laurie Lei DeGama and Nestor Ugale, both generational residents of Lahaina, for championing this effort.”

Maintenance vendors needed for modular units

FEMA is actively seeking vendors for Group Site Maintenance and Maintenance/Repairs on FEMA-owned modular housing units being used as temporary housing for individuals and families displaced by the Maui wildfires.

FEMA will host an informational session from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Haleakala Ballroom, 2365 Kā’anapali Parkway in Lahaina. Vendors attending Industry Day will learn of requirements for the maintenance on the group site and modular homes, which FEMA calls Alternative Transportable Temporary Housing Units. They will be installed at locations on Maui designated for FEMA group housing.

Pre-registration is required for the Industry Day event. All registration requests must be completed by noon Monday, July 22. To register, go to: https://fema.zoomgov.com/meet

ing/register/vJItcOGvrTIpHKARTDvxui7JiwoZn_THNC4

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires – YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARe

gion9 and facebook.com/fema. You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires.

Maui residents needed for online survey

Survey will help in development, programming

Maui residents are invited to complete an online survey to help in the development and future programming of Ke Ola Hou Resiliency Center, which will assist the Lahaina community with recovery services in the aftermath of the 2023 fires.

The survey will be available through July 31, 2024, at https://www.mauirecovers.org/lahaina.

A site in West Maui has been identified for Ke Ola Hou Resiliency Center, which the County of Maui and Hawai’i State Department of Health have supported.The center will be dedicated to providing comprehensive services to aid in the physical, mental and emotional recovery of individuals and families affected by the fires. Ke Ola Hou, meaning ‘new life,’ symbolizes the center’s mission to help the community rebuild and thrive.

Providers and programs envisioned for the center include behavioral health professionals, culturally specific support services, social services, educational and vocational support, and wellness and recreational services.

Ke Ola Hou’s programming and any future locations will be determined through input fromMaui County’s impacted communities. The facility and its operations are guided and supported through donations of time, energy and funding from its growing list of partner agencies, including the County of Maui, Hawai’i State Department of Health, Alano Club of Lahaina, Kaiser Permanente, Na Mea ‘Ike ‘Ia, Native Hawaiian Education Association, Papa Ola Lokahi, Punawai, Rotary District 5000, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For more information, visit https://www.mauirecovers.org/lahaina.

Stunt Training in Lahaina July 27

For the first time on Maui, a stunt training workshop will be held on July 27 at 11 Ulupono Street in Lahaina from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will feature special guest stuntman Sonny Sisson. For more information call Jay at (808) 258-0614 or email Grandi808@me.com.

Free homeownership event on August 29

This is a free event entitled “Getting on the Homeownership Path” being held on August 29 at the Queen Kaahumanu Center in the former Forever 21 space.

The Event will feature various speakers including Sterling Higa of Housing Hawaii’s Future and President of the AREAA Aloha Chapter Tom Kiyabu. Credit counselors, lenders and more will speak to getting prepared long term for homeownership.

Free food and beverage will be offered. Registration opens at 4 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 5 p.m. and will go to 7 p.m.. Registration at www.areaa.org/Aloha is required.