Rebuilding and Healing: Lahaina's Immigrants Find Hope After Wildfire

Immigrants in Lahaina, Hawaii, are facing an uncertain future after a devastating wildfire in August killed 99 people and destroyed homes and livelihoods. Many foreign-born residents, who make up nearly a third of the town's population, are now considering leaving Lahaina due to the loss of jobs and housing. The shadow of grief extends to other countries, with a significant number of victims having ties to the Philippines. Immigrants are grappling with the painful uncertainty of their undocumented status, which puts government aid out of reach and the risk of deportation close. The reopening of West Maui to tourists has added to the tension, as locals question the prioritization of visitors over grieving residents.