A new UHERO study tracking 2,000 Lahaina wildfire survivors finds improvements in employment, housing stability, and insurance coverage three years after the fire. However, researchers warn recovery remains ‘fragile,’ with depression and PTSD still widespread — especially among children.
- Employment among survivors rose from 62% to 80.9% and health insurance coverage increased from 85.1% to 90.5% since the fire.
- The share of survivors in temporary housing declined from 40.6% to 34.4%, though housing insecurity remains a key driver of emotional distress.
- About 40% of children in the study continue to show elevated symptoms of depression or PTSD, with early signs of blood pressure and lung health issues.
- Researchers describe recovery as ‘fragile and uneven,’ cautioning it is too early to assess the full trajectory.
- The report recommends shifting from separate emergency programs to a coordinated recovery system linking housing, healthcare, food assistance, and behavioral health services.
Source: Maui News
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