Multiple news outlets covered the release of a new University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) report marking three years since the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The report, based on the ongoing Maui Recovery Survey, finds meaningful progress in housing stability but persistent gaps in employment, household income, and financial assistance for fire-affected residents.
- About two-thirds of fire-affected households now live in permanent housing, up from just over half in early 2025.
- Homeownership among affected households has risen slightly, from 38% to 42% over the past year.
- Displacement has declined but remains widespread, extending beyond the burn zone into the broader Maui housing market.
- Of those displaced from both their home and West Maui in early 2025, about one in six have returned to West Maui — but not yet to their original home.
- Only 7% of displaced residents have been able to return to their actual homes. (Civil Beat)
- Rents for studios and one-bedrooms have fallen to roughly pre-fire levels, while rents for larger units remain considerably elevated.
- Employment levels and household incomes have shown little improvement over the past year.
- About half of fire-affected households received no assistance of any kind in May 2026, compared to about one quarter the prior year.
- The share of households receiving full rental assistance (paying $100 or less per month) has fallen by more than half since early 2025.
- Community organization assistance was cut in half compared to last year as FEMA and government aid slowed over the past 18 months.
- The Maui Recovery Survey may underestimate displacement figures, as outreach relies on Maui-based networks and may have missed residents who left the island. (Civil Beat)
- Lead researcher Daniela Bond-Smith said growth in West Maui business activity and job opportunities is expected to draw more displaced residents back in coming years.
Sources
- Hawaii News Now: UHERO: Employment, poverty levels persist 3 years after Maui wildfires
- Hawaii: 3 years after Maui wildfires: housing recovery advances while jobs and incomes lag
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Report shows Maui housing gains while jobs and incomes lag
- Civil Beat: After Maui Fires, Rents Dropped, But Money Is Tighter
- Hawaii: 3 years after Maui wildfires: housing recovery advances while jobs and incomes lag
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