Three Years Later, Lahaina Survivors Still Struggling With Recovery’s Long Toll
A Civil Beat report profiles Lahaina fire survivors still dealing with mental health challenges, displacement, and ongoing rebuilding efforts nearly three years after the 2023 wildfires. One family is finally pouring a foundation for a new home while community health resources face potential shutdown. Some Lahaina survivors say their situation feels worse now than in […]
Lahaina Health Study Faces Funding Crisis After 3 Years, 2,500 Participants
A University of Hawaiʻi research program tracking the health of Lahaina wildfire survivors has enrolled 2,500 participants over three years but is now at risk of shutting down as federal and state funding sources dry up. The study, which provides health testing, therapy, and financial support to survivors, has been called a potential national model […]
Hawaiian Electric Q3 2026: Storm Costs Drag Earnings, Rate Hike Decision Looms
Hawaiian Electric reported higher net income in Q3 2026, but core utility earnings fell sharply due to hurricane-related costs. The company is awaiting regulatory decisions on a 5.3% rate increase and storm-cost recovery, while managing its Maui wildfire settlement obligations. Core utility net income dropped to $27.6M from $39.6M a year earlier, driven by $13.7M […]
Hawaiian Electric Q3 2026: Storm Costs Dip Profits, Wildfire Settlement Payments Continue
Hawaiian Electric Industries reported Q3 2026 GAAP net income of $35.5M, but recurring profits fell due to $13.7M in storm-related costs. The company is making early payments on its wildfire settlement and may seek rate increases by May 2027. HEI’s recurring net income dropped to $23M in Q3 2026, down from $32.8M a year earlier, […]
Hawaiian Electric Advances Maui Wildfire Settlement Payments Amid Profit Dip
Hawaiian Electric Industries reported Q3 2026 revenue exceeding $1 billion, though operating income fell year-over-year. The company continues making installment payments on its $1.99 billion Maui wildfire settlement, with three annual payments still due through 2029. HEI paid the first $479 million annual settlement installment in April 2026 and has made $80 million in partial […]
Team Rubicon Crews Clear Upcountry Maui Debris to Cut Flood and Fire Risk
Multiple sources report that Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization, is conducting active mitigation work on Maui following Hurricane Lala’s impact in August. Three strike teams are currently running a nine-day operation targeting debris removal across five Upcountry gulches as part of a broader National Wildfire Mitigation strategy. Team Rubicon has three strike teams […]
Team Rubicon Clears Upcountry Gulches to Cut Maui Wildfire and Flood Risk
Three Team Rubicon strike teams are spending nine days removing trees and fire fuel from five Upcountry Maui gulches to reduce wildfire and flood risk. Crews are also clearing popular hiking trails, including Pineapple Express, as part of a broader national wildfire mitigation effort. Three veteran-led strike teams are targeting five steep Upcountry gulches over […]
Study Finds Elevated Toxic Metals in Maui Residents Years After 2023 Fires
New research from the University of Hawaiʻi found that Maui residents tested significantly higher for toxic metals like arsenic, manganese, and antimony compared to national benchmarks, months to over a year after the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires. Researchers link higher metal exposure to impaired lung function but have not yet determined how much contamination was caused […]
Study Finds Lahaina Residents Still Carrying Toxic Metals Years After Fire
Multiple sources, including Yale Environment 360 and Yahoo News, report on new research finding elevated levels of arsenic and other toxic metals in Lahaina residents more than a year after the 2023 wildfire. The findings come from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Maui Wildfire Exposure Study (MauiWES) and build on earlier research showing lasting […]
Celebrity-Launched People’s Fund of Maui Provided $1,200/Month to Fire Survivors
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson donated $10 million to seed the People’s Fund of Maui, a direct cash assistance program offering displaced Lahaina and Kula residents $1,200 per month following the August 2023 wildfires. The People’s Fund of Maui was launched with a $10 million contribution from Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson to provide direct […]