How Lahaina is recovering 3 years after the devastating fires
It has been three years since the deadliest wildfires to hit the U.S. in more than a century swept through Lahaina on the island of Maui. The fires consumed thousands of structures, killed 102 people and destroyed an important site of Hawaiian history. Hundreds of homes have been rebuilt and permits for hundreds more have been approved. But as Stephanie Sy reports, many residents remain in limbo.
It has been three years since the deadliest wildfires to strike the U.S. in over a century ravaged Lahaina on the island of Maui. The infernos demolished thousands of buildings, claimed 102 lives, and obliterated a significant historical site. As Stephanie Sy reports, while numerous homes have been reconstructed and permits for additional structures have been granted, a sizable portion of Lahaina's inhabitants continue to grapple with uncertainty.
Charles Nahale, a resident of Maui, remains in temporary housing three years after the fires, having been forced to relocate seven times. FEMA has recently increased rent for survivors, aiming to encourage them to secure permanent housing. Many of Lahaina's long-time residents fear they may be unable to stay due to high living costs, expensive rebuilding, and insufficient insurance payouts.
The county and state have constructed temporary shelters across the island, and are now seeking federal funding for permanent housing solutions. However, with FEMA aid set to expire in February, the county is operating against the clock to prevent locals from moving away. A local conservationist, Carolyn Auweloa, founded the Lahaina Community Land Trust to safeguard long-term residents from being displaced during the rebuilding process.
Despite progress in housing construction, Lahaina's commercial district remains largely vacant, with businesses and workers struggling to return.
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