FINANCIAL, BUSINESS & LEGAL CONCERNS AFTER THE MAUI FIRE DISASTER

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Aloha - Maui is still in the midst of one of the worst disasters anyone can imagine. The are issues with not only housing, but food, water, clothing, and other necessities of life. To complicate matters beyond day to day survival, there are many financial, business, & legal issues which now must be addressed by many Maui residents, related to the damage to and/or loss of their homes and possessions, or other business and financial matters.

It is not easy to navigate through the complicated red tape presented by mortgage companies and insurance agencies. There may be federal and state relief funds available, but how does one apply? Questions about what to do and where to go are exacerbated by the incredible stress and emotional distress many Maui residents may feel. It would be easy to see how one could feel paralyzed or simply confused about what to do next.

Fortunately, there are some non-profit and federal programs and agencies that Maui residents impacted by the Maui Fires can turn to for help with these matters.

LEGAL AID DISASTER RESOURCE CENTER

One website that I found with a lot of information on Maui disaster relief is the Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center where there is a specific page related to the Maui Fires. This page also has information about applying for FEMA Aid. And, you can Download the Attorney Disaster Toolkit Paper, which is full of helpful information about FEMA aid, unemployment insurance, SBA loans, disaster food stamps, tenant rights, mortgage foreclosures, mechanic’s liens, insurance, and lost documents, among other topics.

MAUI IN-PERSON FEMA AID

According to a recent press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened its first Disaster Recovery Center on Maui Wednesday, where survivors may apply for federal disaster assistance and access services from federal, state and volunteer organizations.

The address of this center is:
University of Hawaii Maui College
310 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, Maui
Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

FEMA specialists will be staffing the center and can also provide access to operators who can assist in languages other than English.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives will also be available at this center, to provide information on low-interest disaster loans. These are available to homeowners and renters as well as business owners and nonprofits, FEMA said.

DISABILITY & DISASTER HOTLINE

The Disability and Disaster Hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, their families, allies, organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.

HAWAII STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

The Hawaii State Bar Association has also initiated a Legal Aid Hotline. As a community service to aid those affected by the wildfires on Maui and the Big Island, HSBA will be hosting a FREE legal hotline to provide legal assistance to anyone adversely affected.

The Remaining Dates that the Hotline will be open are:
Thursday, August 17
Tuesday August 22
Wednessay, August 23
Thursday, August 24
(HOURS are 9am-5pm)

CALL 1-888-533-2773

THE ABA YLD DISASTER LEGAL SERVICES

The Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association also has a Disaster Legal Services Hotline.

CALL 1-888-743-5749

The YLD also has a variety of other disaster related resources on their website, including Disaster Distress Helpline. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters.

INSURANCE

Dealing with insurance companies can be a nightmare. And they are all somewhat different in how they respond to and handle their claims in a disaster. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has developed This Handbook (Post Disaster Claims Guide) to help advise people what to do in case of needing to make a claim as a result of disaster. Here is also a list of Insurance Company Contacts for making claims.

REAL ESTATE TITLE REPORTS

Homeowners may need property title reports to help them file insurance claims. Please clients to contact Title Guaranty Hawaii at mauistrong@tghawaii.com to request a complimentary report. TG will provide these upon request, free of charge, to the owners of the property.

Please forward this to anyone who might need it. We hope this information helps!