MAUI DISASTER RECOVERY JOBS AVAILABLE IN RESPONSE TO WILDFIRES
$10.5M National Dislocated Worker Grant to Facilitate Employment
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced the availability of temporary cleanup and recovery jobs on Maui in response to the wildfires. Three hundred jobs for impacted workers are available through the DLIR Workforce Development Division and Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) to assist with debris removal, damage cleanup and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Awarded to Hawaiʻi through the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) Employment and Training Administration, the National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $21 million allows the DLIR to provide disaster-relief employment and training activities to minimize the employment and economic impact of disasters. The department received an initial allocation of $10.5 million after approval of its emergency grant application in August.
“This funding will help connect workers and employers to support Maui’s economy,” said Debbie Cabebe, Chief Executive Officer of MEO. “These jobs will speed recovery and help mitigate the suffering of our people right now.”
Individuals who are eligible for the temporary employment opportunities were living on Maui at the onset of the disaster (Aug. 8, 2023) and include those who meet the following conditions: 1) individuals laid off, permanently or temporarily, because of the wildfires, 2) dislocated workers that were laid off for other reasons, 3) long-term unemployed workers, and 4) self-employed individuals who became unemployed or significantly underemployed as a result of the Maui wildfires.
“This grant provides resources to support recovery efforts as Maui recovers from this tragic event,” said Jade T. Butay, DLIR Director. “The grant will provide temporary employment in response to the wildfires and includes components for individuals to receive support while exploring career opportunities.”
The temporary jobs may last up to one year with extensions, if approved by the U.S. DOL and include worksites in the public, private non-profit, and private sectors. Target populations include individuals with Limited English Proficiency, immigrants, homeless individuals or those with housing insecurity, migrant populations, and long-term unemployed individuals.
Interested individuals may apply with the DLIR. Staff members from the Workforce Development Division are providing individuals with in-person services at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at University Hawaiʻi Maui College and the Lahaina Civic Center. Workforce services are also available at the American Job Center at 110 Alaʻihi Street, Suite 209, in Kahului.
Individuals may also apply through MEO at 99 Mahalani Street in Wailuku, or at 808-243-4300. To complete an initial application, individuals may go to https://www.meoinc.org/ and click on Maui Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant.
This program is 100%-funded by multiple grants from the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, the sum of which is $21 million.
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Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8842
View DLIR news releases:
http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/
HAWAII DISASTER RECOVERY JOBS
For job seekers looking to find a disaster recovery job or employers looking to hire a candidate or post a job.
The Press Release contains further details about the portal as well as job fairs and training opportunities.
MAUI UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
| Date | Initial Claims | Weeks Claimed |
|---|---|---|
| 8/12/2023 | 861 | 676 |
| 8/19/2023 | 4,444 | 1,906 |
| 8/26/2023 | 2,694 | 5,852 |
| 9/2/2023 | 2,426 | 7,661 |
| 9/9/2023 | 1,539 | 7,968 |
| 9/16/2023 | 1,222 | 8,779 |
| 9/23/2023 | 1,092 | 8,744 |
| 9/30/2023 | 833 | 8,731 |
| 10/7/2023 | 715 | 8,177 |
| 10/14/2023 | 584 | 7,780 |
| 10/21/2023 | 584 | 7,270 |
| 10/28/2023 | 508 | 6,713 |
| 11/04/23 | 429 | 6,232 |
| 11/11/23 | 400 | 5,757 |
| 11/18/23 | 444 | 5,678 |
| 11/25/23 | 298 | 5,039 |
| Total | 19,073 | 102,963 |
HIREMAUI JOB BOARD
HireMaui is a free community initiative to support thousands of residents suddenly left unemployed after the tragic wildfires on Maui. HireMaui provides a chance for displaced workers to get back on their feet and local companies to fill much needed positions.
Additional Resources
Hawaii Cares 988 – Comprehensive resource guide for disaster assistance, including shelter or housing, mental health support, unemployment assistance, domestic violence resources, financial assistance, health care services, and more
Department of Health – Medical and behavioral health clinics, environmental and hazard concerns, vital records, including replacing birth and marriage certificates, Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), volunteer medical services
Department of Education – Status of school operations on Maui
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
Office of Language Access – Multilingual Resources
Maui Nui Strong – County of Maui website
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA) BENEFITS
***FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 26***
Workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected area at the time of the major disaster and became unemployed or had their work hours reduced or interrupted as a direct result of the major disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance may be eligible for DUA benefits beginning the week of August 13, 2023, until the week ending February 10, 2024, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.
Click HERE for further information including eligibility requirements and directions on how to apply.
Press Release – DLIR Accepting Disaster Unemployment Assistance Benefits Applications
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced the U.S. Department of Labor approved the extension of the application filing deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits. Maui residents impacted by the wildfires may now file an initial claim for DUA through Oct. 26. The previous deadline for filing an initial application was Monday, Sept. 25.
Individuals may apply for DUA online through huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/ or in person. Assistance with DUA applications and other forms may be obtained at the following location(s):
Disaster Recovery Center
Lāhainā Civic Center Gymnasium
1840 Honoapi‘ilani Highway
Lāhainā, HI 96761
Maui Claims Office
54 South High St. Rm. 201
Wailuku, HI 96793
Maui American Job Center
110 Alaʻihi St. Rm. 209
Kahului, HI 96732
DUA is available for eligible unemployed workers, self-employed individuals, farmers, and fishers engaged in business at the time of the disaster. Eligibility for DUA benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis for each week a claim certification is filed.
Individuals will need to provide proof to document employment or self-employment or to document work that was to begin on or after the date of the disaster. If proof of employment cannot be provided at the time the claim application is filed, individuals will have 21 calendar days from the time the claim application was filed to meet this requirement. Failure to submit this documentation within 21 days will result in a denial of DUA, and any benefits already paid will be considered overpaid. Individuals will be required to repay any benefits overpaid.
For assistance, individuals may also call (833) 901-2272 or (808) 762-5751 and (833) 901-2275 or (808) 762-5752. Free interpreter services are available.
Applications filed after Oct. 26, 2023, will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for filing late.
For more information about DUA and regular unemployment insurance benefits please visit: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/
