UHERO: Lahaina Housing Stabilizes at 3-Year Mark, But Jobs and Aid Fall Short
Multiple outlets including Maui Now, Maui News, Hawaii Public Radio, and Hawaii Free Press reported on a new University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) study released August 12, 2026, marking three years since the Lahaina wildfires. The report finds meaningful progress in housing stability for fire-affected families, but employment, incomes, and available assistance have […]
Maui County Hosts Free Recovery Event for Lahaina Seniors on Aug. 19
The County of Maui Office of Recovery is hosting a free community gathering for Lahaina kūpuna on August 19 at the Lahaina Civic Center, featuring Hawaiian music, food, and on-site recovery resource providers. The event runs 3–6 p.m. and is open to the public. The free Hot Kūpuna Nights event takes place August 19, 2026, […]
UHERO: Maui Fire Survivors Gain Housing Ground But Jobs and Income Still Lag
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 […]
Maui Designer Launches Affordable Rebuild Guidance for Lahaina Homeowners
Multiple outlets reported that Lahaina-based Melissa Dyckman Interiors has launched a new one-on-one advisory service called Lahaina Rebuild Design Guidance to help fire survivors navigate key design and construction decisions. The service is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to full interior design, aimed at reducing costly mistakes during the rebuilding process. Coverage noted the service […]
Three Years Later: A Third of Lahaina’s Eateries Have Reopened or Are Trying To
A new survey of 91 Lahaina food and beverage businesses destroyed or disrupted by the August 2023 wildfire finds more than three dozen have reopened, though many relocated outside Lahaina. Progress is slow, and some businesses that had reopened have since closed again. Of 91 tracked Lahaina restaurants, bars, and food trucks, more than 36 […]
Free Monthly Lahaina Community Healing Event Returns Aug. 15
The Maui ERC’s Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays event returns August 15 at Lahaina United Methodist Church, offering cultural activities, local vendors, support services, and live entertainment. The free monthly gathering is designed to support Lahaina residents affected by the 2023 wildfires. The free event runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at Lahaina […]
Maui County Takes Over Wildfire Survivor Case Management from State
The Hawaii Department of Human Services has handed control of the Wildfires Disaster Case Management Program to Maui County, effective August 7, 2026. The transition is designed to strengthen local coordination as survivors prepare for the end of FEMA temporary housing assistance in February 2027. Maui County now leads the Disaster Case Management Program previously […]
Three Years After Lahaina Fire, Commercial Rebuilding Lags Far Behind
Multiple sources, citing Grassroot Institute of Hawaii analyst Jonathan Helton, report that Lahaina’s recovery remains severely limited three years after the August 2023 wildfires. While roughly 220 homes have been rebuilt, non-residential and multifamily reconstruction has barely begun, with only 13 completed non-residential permits and fewer than 30 issued in total. The August 8, 2023 […]
Animated Film Series Preserving Lāhainā Stories to Debut August 27
Maui Public Art Corps will unveil ‘Perfect Days,’ a collection of four animated short films drawn from Lāhainā community memories, on August 27 at the Lāhainā Think Space in Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The project stems from a wildfire-recovery storytelling initiative focused on mental health and cultural preservation. The free public exhibition opens August 27 and […]
Lahaina Marks Three Years Since Devastating 2023 Wildfire
Lahaina residents and community members observed the third anniversary of the August 2023 wildfire on Saturday, reflecting on ongoing grief while noting early signs of community rebuilding and return. Three years after the fire, many Lahaina residents say they still lack closure, with friends who lost lives and homes still unresolved. The Lahaina United Methodist […]