Lahaina Condo Owners Face $200M+ Rebuilding Gap Three Years After Fire
Three years after the 2023 Maui wildfires, owners at two Lahaina condo complexes — Aina Nalu and Spinnaker — are still struggling to fund rebuilds due to major insurance shortfalls and no government assistance. Aina Nalu had only about 20% of the estimated $200 million needed to rebuild. Aina Nalu’s 189-unit complex was fully destroyed, […]
Lahaina at Three Years: Buyout Offers, Slow Rebuilds, and Signs of Return
Multiple outlets marked the third anniversary of the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfire with assessments of where recovery stands, covering everything from a county buyout proposal for high-risk shoreline properties to expanded homeowner rebuilding assistance and the return of individual businesses. The overall picture reported across sources is one of uneven progress: some businesses and […]
Lahaina Fire Survivors Face Bureaucratic Hurdles in County Homebuyer Program
Nearly 700 Lahaina fire survivor households remain in FEMA housing assistance as of mid-2026, with many applicants to Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Program experiencing repeated documentation requests and delays. FEMA’s housing assistance, previously set to expire in February 2026, was extended through February 2027. Nearly 700 fire survivor households are still relying on […]
Global Climate Migration Study Uses Maui Fire Survivors as Case Example
A republished analysis of climate-driven migration worldwide features a Maui wildfire evacuee still displaced in Kihei more than two years after the 2023 fires. The broader article examines how extreme weather events are forcing large-scale population shifts globally. A Maui fire survivor photographed in March 2026 remains displaced in a converted hotel room in Kihei, […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire, Frustration and Hope Mark the Recovery
Multiple Hawaii Public Radio reports mark the three-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire, capturing the ongoing struggles of residents and the federal response. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Lahaina for the July 2026 Lahaina Homecoming and spoke about coordinating with state and county officials on rebuilding efforts, while residents like Mikey Burke described the emotional […]
Maui Wildfire Rebuild Program Expands Eligibility, Extends Application Deadline
Multiple Maui County sources report that the Hoʻokumu Hou reconstruction and reimbursement program has broadened its income eligibility thresholds following a HUD update to Area Median Income figures. The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2026, and an informational open house is scheduled for August 20 in Kahului. Maui County’s base Area Median […]
DOH Monitors Lahaina Watershed Streams for Wildfire Contamination
Hawaii’s Department of Health is conducting ongoing quarterly water quality testing of streams in the Lahaina watershed to track long-term wildfire impacts. Sampling data from late 2025 and early 2026 is now published, with monitoring set to continue. DOH samples Kahoma and Kauaula streams quarterly, testing for metals, nutrients, pH, turbidity, and other contaminants linked […]
Channel House Lahaina Condo to Begin Rebuild, Eyes Christmas 2027 Return
Owners of the Channel House condominium at 1010 Front St. in Lahaina are breaking ground on reconstruction this week, with demolition starting August 17. The project aims to bring 39 displaced families back home by Christmas 2027. Channel House, a 39-unit condo community destroyed in the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Friday […]
Maui County Marks 3-Year Fire Recovery Milestone With Progress Videos
Maui County released a four-part video series updating the public on Lahaina wildfire recovery efforts as the three-year anniversary of the August 2023 fires approaches. Officials report measurable progress on housing, infrastructure, and business rebuilding, while acknowledging significant work remains. A megafire expert says Maui’s recovery pace is on track or slightly ahead of comparable […]
Maui County Opens Grant Applications for Wildfire Workforce and Services Recovery
Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou program is launching two competitive grant programs for nonprofits and government agencies supporting wildfire recovery efforts. The grants are funded through federal CDBG-DR money and focus on workforce development and public services for fire-impacted residents. Two new grant programs will fund workforce development and public services for communities affected by the […]