All articles tagged with #lahaina
After the devastating 2023 wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, factory-built modular homes were rapidly installed to provide long-term, dignified housing for displaced residents, addressing the shortcomings of traditional FEMA trailers and highlighting innovative approaches to disaster recovery and affordable housing.
Over a year after the devastating Maui wildfires, Native Hawaiian homeowners in Lahaina face a housing crisis as financial assistance dwindles and rebuilding costs soar. Many, like Mikey Burke, struggle with expired insurance benefits and rising rents, forcing them to consider leaving their ancestral homes. Community efforts, such as the Lahaina Community Land Trust, aim to help residents stay by bridging insurance gaps and offering affordable housing solutions. However, the challenges of navigating federal aid and the high cost of rebuilding continue to strain the community.
A report from Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez has highlighted Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen's response to the devastating wildfire last summer, raising questions about his actions during the crisis. The report revealed delays in declaring an emergency and lack of communication with state officials, as the fire ravaged Lahaina, killing over 100 people and causing billions of dollars in economic loss. Former officials have criticized the government's response as negligent, while Bissen has acknowledged the investigation and emphasized his commitment to aiding Lahaina's recovery.
An analysis of the deadly wildfire that overtook the town of Lahaina in Hawaii last year revealed that the Maui Fire Department did little to prepare crews in areas at risk despite warnings of high wildfire danger, leading to delays of up to an hour in deploying them to the fire lines as workers struggled to gather equipment for their vehicles. The after-action report highlighted the decision to pursue minimal upstaffing and prepositioning of resources despite dire weather alerts, and recommended the use of new technology to monitor potential fire danger and position firefighters and equipment in high-risk areas.
Hawaii's biggest hula competition, the Merrie Monarch Festival, will pay special tribute to the victims of the Lahaina wildfires this year, with dancers and songs dedicated to Maui. Several hālaus from Maui, including those whose members lost their homes in the fires, will be participating, and the festival is creating opportunities for the audience to support recovery efforts. The event is also providing a special experience for Lahainaluna High School students affected by the wildfires, offering a space for healing and connection to their cultural heritage.
After the devastating Lahaina fire, a community in Maui is facing the challenge of rebuilding and preventing speculators and developers from altering the local landscape. In response, community members are working on establishing a nonprofit community land trust to purchase properties and maintain affordability for local residents. This model, already used in other disaster-affected areas, aims to preserve housing affordability and cultural value while addressing the post-disaster housing market pressures.
Hawaii officials are planning to build new evacuation routes in Lahaina, Hawaii, following deadly wildfires on Maui in August. The new routes aim to prevent roadblocks that trapped residents during the fires. The state Transportation Department will create openings in sound walls and establish emergency access routes to improve traffic flow during emergencies. The effort is part of a broader initiative to make Lahaina more resilient to wildfires, which are a growing threat in Hawaii.
Six months after devastating wildfires hit Lahaina, Hawaii, residents like the Smith family and Etina Hingano are finding strength and gratitude in the midst of loss. Despite the destruction of their homes and possessions, they are overwhelmed with gratitude for the kindness of strangers, the support of their community, and the opportunity to rebuild. Their faith and positive outlook have helped them navigate the challenges, and they are learning to hold space for both pain and gratitude. Through their experiences, they have found a deeper sense of love, patience, and sensitivity to the needs of others, and they are determined to move forward with hope and resilience.
Governor Josh Green announced a $175 million compensation fund for families who lost loved ones in the Lahaina wildfires, with each eligible family set to receive $1.5 million starting from March 1. The fund, modeled after the 9/11 compensation fund, may also compensate those who lost land, with recipients agreeing not to pursue lawsuits against fund participants. Additionally, FEMA officials provided an update on efforts to rebuild King Kamehameha School, while the announcement coincides with the six-month anniversary of the Maui wildfires that claimed at least 100 lives and left thousands of survivors without permanent housing.
Six months after the devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, a 98-page report from the Maui Police Department revealed that a large number of victims died along a single street, indicating the ferocity of the blaze. The report detailed the fire's timeline, showing that many residents were unable to evacuate due to blocked exit routes. The majority of victims were found along Kuhua Street, with survivors describing their struggles to escape.
Maui police have identified the 100th and final known victim of the deadly Lahaina wildfire as Lydia Coloma, 70, making her the ninth member of her family to be confirmed dead. The scale and intensity of the fire made victim identification extremely difficult, with the death toll initially revised from 115 to 97 due to more precise testing. Now, all 100 individuals have been identified and their families notified, with just three people remaining unaccounted for. The community still faces challenges in rebuilding and recovering from the disaster, including a housing shortage for survivors and disagreement over the disposal of toxic ash and debris.
The last victim of the Maui wildfires has been identified as Lydia Coloma, 70, bringing the death toll to 100. The fires, which began in August, devastated Lahaina, with thousands of structures, mostly homes, destroyed. Criticisms have been directed at officials for chaotic evacuations and not sounding evacuation sirens. Tourism has started to return to West Maui, but residents are struggling to balance the need for tourism with their own trauma and housing concerns.
The death toll from the Hawaii wildfires has reached 100, with the last known victim identified as a 70-year-old woman who lost eight family members in the blaze. The identification process has been challenging, involving forensic experts, cadaver dogs, and DNA testing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it may have been sparked by downed power lines. The disaster devastated Maui, destroying over 2,000 buildings and causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. Six months later, about 5,000 displaced residents are still living in temporary accommodations, raising concerns about housing costs in the future.
Hawaii officials have identified 70-year-old Lydia Coloma as the last of the 100 known victims of the deadly Lahaina wildfire that struck Maui last year. Eight members of Coloma’s family were also killed in the wildfires. The fast-moving wildfires, fueled by winds from Hurricane Dora, devastated the historic town of Lahaina and displaced hundreds of residents. The death toll from the wildfires reached at least 100, making it the deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century. Over 5,400 people remained displaced five months after the wildfire, and efforts are underway to address the housing issue. Three people are still classified as missing due to the wildfires, and officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact the police.
The last victim of the wind-fueled wildfire in Maui's Lahaina town has been identified as Lydia Coloma, making her the 100th confirmed death with 100 estimated fatalities. The county and police department have notified all families of the deceased following the August disaster, which destroyed most of Lahaina and displaced many. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and criticism arose regarding the lack of warning sirens in the area. The government continues to support affected families during this challenging time.