Dozens of Lahaina wildfire survivors have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors since the 2023 fire. Despite at least 10 police reports and multiple state complaints, no criminal charges, fines, or license revocations have been issued.
- Individual homeowners have lost between $20,000 and $650,000 to contractors who abandoned projects or failed to account for funds paid.
- Maui Police classified all 10 filed contractor-fraud reports as civil matters, and no post-fire contractor case has resulted in criminal charges or state disciplinary action.
- Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has not fined or revoked the license of any contractor tied to post-wildfire fraud cases.
- One state investigation was closed after the contractor under review died by suicide in May 2026, leaving the homeowner with a $700,000 bid just to finish her home.
- Victims are now forced to pursue grants or lawsuits to restart stalled rebuilds, further delaying recovery timelines.
Source: Hoodline
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