Etina Hingano holding her grandchild Vili said she’s happy to hear federal funds have been approved to repair the county’s Lahaina Crossroads Apartments impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire on Maui. Her family fled the apartment. Standing nearby is her daughter Xochitl Leon and grandson Isao. Photo courtesy of Hingano family

The Trump administration has approved $33.4 million in federal funds to support the recovery of past Hawaii disasters, including two county low-income apartments and a senior center affected by the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

Maui County is to receive $6.9 million to repair the affordable housing project Lahaina Crossroads Apartments and $4.1 million for repairs to Komohana Hale Apartments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday.

“I’m so happy to hear about it, I don’t know what to say,” said Etina Hingano, a former Lahaina Crossroads tenant.

Hingano said she lived with her family, including her husband and daughter and her two children, before fleeing the 2023 wildfire.

“We were very happy living there,” she said.

She said the family has been living in temporary quarters at Ka La’i Ola in Wahikuli and wondering where they’re going to live in the future.

Lahaina Crossroad tenants have had a bumpy ride securing permanent housing in Lahaina.

In 2022, the owner of Lahaina Crossroads planned to convert the 20 apartment units to vacation rentals, giving notices to vacate. Residents staged demonstrations.

Lahaina Crossroads was eventually purchased by the county and on Aug. 8, 2023, it suffered damage due to the wildfire.

FEMA also approved $6.4 million in funds for repairs to the West Maui Senior Center.

No longer able to meet at the center after the wildfire, members of the Lahaina Honolua Senior Citizens Club travel by bus more than 20 miles to have their monthly meetings at the Maui Economic Opportunity complex in Wailuku.

“I’m very happy that FEMA is going to support rebuilding that center,” said Debbie Cabebe, the chief executive officer of Maui Economic Opportunity.

“It’s going to help them heal from all that trauma they’ve experienced.”

Hedy Udarbe, president of the Lahaina Honolua Senior Citizens Club, said members are looking forward to returning to the center once it’s rebuilt.

“They need to desperately have one in Lahaina,” she said.

FEMA said it will continue to review additional projects and approve funds on a rolling basis as eligibility is confirmed and scores of building projects are finished. The funding is part of a broader effort announced by the Department of Homeland Security and was approved prior to the government funding lapse.

Other FEMA grants recently approved across Hawaii include:

$7.8 million to Maui County Emergency Management Agency for emergency protective measures in response to the Maui wildfires.

$1.8 million to Maui County Department of Police for emergency support in response to the Maui wildfires.

$2.4 million to Maui County Emergency Management Agency for security support in response to the Maui wildfires.

Etina Hingano holding her grandchild Vili said she’s happy to hear federal funds have been approved to repair the county’s Lahaina Crossroads Apartments impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire on Maui. Her family fled the apartment. Standing nearby is her daughter Xochitl Leon and grandson Isao. Photo courtesy of Hingano family