Maui's Indigenous Community Battles Land Grabs and False Claims Amidst Wildfires

The indigenous community of Maui, known as Kanaka Maoli, is fighting against land grabs by developers targeting victims of recent wildfires. These "vulture capitalists" are taking advantage of the tragedy to prey upon the community's connection to the land. The dispossession of Hawaii's land has been ongoing since American settlers arrived in the 19th century, and the Kanaka Maoli have been fighting for recognition of their land rights. Indigenous activists are working to inform their people about their legal rights and hold developers accountable. The fires have added another layer to the complex issue of land ownership in Hawaii, where billions of dollars are being injected into real estate, driving up prices and exacerbating the housing crisis. The indigenous community is also finding solidarity with the Palestinian community in their shared experiences of settler colonialism.