Readers have asked Civil Beat to follow where donated monies are going.

For years, a local businessman paid off officials in exchange for lucrative contracts. The system he exploited has been left largely unchanged.

How long survivors can expect the monthly fire relief payments is unclear.

A new grant will be used to support resiliency efforts in three nature refuges and parks on Maui.

The Lahaina Fire Fund was never a registered nonprofit yet collected hundreds of thousands of dollars through online donation sites.

Saiki said organizations could use the fires as a pretext for raising funds for other purposes.

Money raised for direct relief could end up being used for political candidates and activities.

When and how much of that funding will be dispersed remains to be seen.

UPDATED: Tiare Lawrence, a Native Hawaiian organizer and activist from Maui, will help dole out the money along with other Lahaina residents.

The People's Fund of Maui was launched with a $10 million donation.