The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an additional $2.5 million in funding to support disaster-relief jobs and training services for communities affected by the wildfires on Maui, Hawaii. The fires occurred on August 8, 2023, causing significant damage and dislocation.
Initially, in response to the devastation, the department's Employment and Training Administration had allocated Disaster Recovery Grant funding up to $21 million. An initial award of $10.5 million was provided for cleanup and recovery efforts. With this new increment, the total funds awarded now amount to $13 million.
The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant enables the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to offer temporary employment opportunities aimed at debris removal and repairing fire damage. It also facilitates employment and training services for those who survived the wildfires.
These grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. They provide financial assistance to state or local boards dealing with major economic disruptions that create workforce needs beyond their current resources.
