(The Center Square) – A year after fires killed 102 people and destroyed thousands of buildings in Maui, the island and state are looking to the future. The fires presented new challenges and exacerbated old ones.
Hawaii was already facing a housing dilemma before the fires swept through Maui on Aug. 8, 2023, displaying thousands of residents. Home prices and rents were high. The vacation rental market was taking units away from long-term housing.
Federal, state and local officials are providing solutions.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency allocated more than $295 million for the Direct Lease program. FEMA leases the properties and pays the rent directly to the property owners for up to 18 months. More than 1,200 households have been helped, according to FEMA. The agency also provided $37.3 million in rental assistance for families affected by the fires.
The total amount of recovery costs for FEMA and its federal partners are nearly $3 billion, according to a news release from the agency.
Looking ahead, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed a change to the state’s transient vacation rental code that would impact 1,700 units.
“We recognize that this bill is only part of the solution, and that we will also need to explore strategic tax policy and zoning changes to support our objective of creating more long-term housing,” Bissen said in a news release.
Gov. Josh Green announced the Hawaii Interim Housing Program in July. Families affected by the fires can apply for studio-, one-, two- and three-bedroom units and modular homes.
“This program adds a new energy to the many initiatives we have launched as part of our supporting the recovery of Maui’s people from the wildfires,” Green said. “Every day, families and individuals have been able to leave temporary lodging in hotels to be placed in longer-term housing.”
The Department of Human Services moved 7,796 fire survivors into hotel rooms within two weeks of the fire with the help of local, state, federal and nonprofit partners, the agency said in a report. The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program assisted more than 3,200 families.
“DHS conceived and launched the state’s innovative Rental Assistance Program also known as RAP, a first-of-its-kind program utilizing the local short-term rental market to secure longer-term housing solutions for 302 households, totaling 842 individuals,” the report said. “The Ka Laʻi Ola housing project is the first government housing solution on Maui to break ground. In the coming weeks, DHS will be welcoming the first residents to Ka Laʻi Ola, which will help house up to 1,200 survivors in temporary units for up to five years.
Bringing back tourists to Maui
Green reopened West Maui to tourists in October, just two months after the fires, amidst criticism that it was too soon.
“Many have asked about the right time to reopen West Maui to visitors. There is no easy answer to this question, but I can say that if we support Maui’s economy and keep our people employed, they will heal faster and can continue to be able to afford to live on Maui,” Green said in a statement to The Center Square in October.
The June report from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism shows the visitor count was 21.8% lower than in June 2023.
Private and public entities examine improved response
Hawaii Electric, which was criticized for failing to turn off power after the wildfires began on Aug. 8, 2023, announced last month it had installed 52 weather stations. The project cost the company $1.7 million.
“These weather stations will play a critical role as we continue to take action to address the growing risk of wildfires,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer. “The detailed information they provide will allow us to take preventative action more quickly to protect public safety.”
The Maui Fire Department released an 84-page report with 11 recommendations aimed at improving response if a similar fire should occur.
Some of the recommendations include providing better evacuation routes, expanding aerial firefighting responses and creating a statewide mutual aid plan.
The investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Attorney General Anne Lopez is conducting an independent analysis of the fire, which she is releasing in three phases. Phase One, released in April, examined the first 48 hours after the fire.
“Phase Two will use the Timeline to analyze the facts, and Phase Three will focus on recommendations for the future,” Lopez said.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms led the investigation into the cause, according to Lopez.
Green, Bissen and other officials are holding a news conference on Friday to mark the fire’s anniversary and provide a recovery update.
