Maui Recovery + Rebuild

[https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/interactive/2023/deadly-hawaii-wildfires/ ]

BIA Hawaii is dedicated to supporting Maui with housing recovery and rebuild efforts

The Hawaii Building Industry Foundation, in partnership with BIA Hawaii, established the Maui Recovery + Rebuild Fund with the goal of providing targeted recovery and rebuild efforts for those impacted by the August 2023 Maui wildfires, including members, residents and the community.?

Fund activity will be tailored to Maui’s needs, focusing on offsetting the costs of programs that prioritize housing, rebuilding and construction solutions, restoring infrastructure, and promoting licensed and registered businesses for the betterment of our industry and communities, while enhancing resilience against future adversities. The involvement of Maui-based industry professionals, associates, agencies, and other liaison organizations through the Maui Fund Advisory Committee will contribute significantly to the Fund's efficacy.

Please consider a donation to our industry-driven?Maui Recovery + Rebuild Fund. Donations are accepted via ACH, wire transfer, credit or debit, and check. HBIF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

For more information and a link to donate, visit?www.hawaiibuildingindustryfoundation.org ?or email?[email protected] ?or call 808-629-7509

BIA Launches Resource Page? Offering Maui Wildfire Support

BIA Hawaii is proud to unveil the?Maui Wildfire Support Resource Page . Committed to making a meaningful impact, BIA Hawaii has established this online hub to provide assistance to those who have been affected by the recent devastating Maui wildfires,?

The?resource page aims to provide a centralized platform where essential information is easily accessible to the community and businesses impacted by the fires, including the information sheet (below) on important advice for next steps. We invite you to visit?BIA Hawaii's Maui Support Page ?at?www.biahawaii.org/maui-support ?offering a comprehensive range of resources and guidance for individuals, families, and industry professionals grappling with the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.?

The resource page offers guidance on coping strategies, grief support, resources for kupuna and keiki, and more. The resources list is being compiled with industry partners and experts and the webpage will be continually updated.

As Maui begins recovery after the devastating effects of the wildfire, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA) is offering reliable information and resources to help homeowners in the community rebuild.

BIA Hawaii recommends the following tips to help you begin:

1. Apply for FEMA Aid.

BIA Hawaii recommends that all individuals who were impacted by the Maui?wildfires apply for federal assistance immediately by visiting?DisasterAssistance.gov ?or calling 800-621-FEMA?(3362).??

2. Contact Your Insurance Company.?

Review your insurance policies and contact your insurance companies as soon as possible to report damages. You may need to contact your homeowner’s insurance company, your auto insurance carrier, your property/renter’s insurance carriers, and others if you had additional insurance. This document has more information on how insurance policies work:?https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2019/04/My-Insurance-Doesnt-Cover-What.pdf . Make a list of your questions before you contact the carriers so you can be sure to end the call confidently, and take your next steps to submit a claim.

To support your claim, make a list of all items covered in the policy. Try to collect copies of any related receipts to show the claims agent or?adjuster, and try to take pictures of damages to the items and throughout your property.?

3. Create a Recovery Folder. Recover Lost Documents and Critical Information.

Rebuilding a home after a wildfire can be a complex process, with many?persons, documents, and processes involved. It is recommended that as you continue through the?recovery process you compile and organize any applicable contacts, communications, or forms into?either virtual or physical folders in order to keep this information centralized and easily accessible.

Here is a useful list of contacts who can help you recover or expedite copies of lost documents as you create your folder:?https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2016/10/Lost-documents-v2.pdf ?Gather all documents and your notes in one place, such as a designated Recovery Folder so you’ll be able to reference them on calls and under stress.

4. Stay Safe During Damage Assessments.?Unfortunately, injuries after the disaster are all too common such as equipment accidents, falls, or?burns. In general, burned structures and surfaces are unstable and unsafe. Take extreme caution around trees, power lines, and towering?structures that may have lost stability during the fire.

5. Work with Professionals. Watch out for unlicensed and uninsured contractors and scams...?don't give anyone your money until you are certain they are credible. BIA Hawaii and the Construction Industry Association of Maui have lists of local building industry professionals who understand the intricacies of building homes in Maui and have a?firm grasp on requirements to meet city ordinances, regulations, and permits. Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true, including promises of a quick rebuild.?

Visit the BIA’s?website?biahawaii.org ?for more information and for a listing of licensed local professionals.