More than a year and a half since wildfires razed Lahaina, killing 102 people and destroying 2,200 structures, impacted households continue to face significant economic and housing instability, according to the latest findings from an ongoing survey administered by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization in partnership with the Hawaii Community Foundation.
The Maui Recovering Survey: Housing & Jobs was launched a year after the deadly 2023 wildfires to track monthly housing and economic conditions among fire-affected households. Survey participants lived, worked, or owned a business in West Maui or Kula at the time of the wildfires.
The most recent data analyzed was collected for the period covering September 2024 and February 2025.
The new data suggests that recovery has been slow in many areas, in contrast to the first few months after the disaster, when resources were rapidly secured and deployed to address widespread displacement, emergency assistance and rapid shifts in economic conditions.
In a new post to the UHERO blog, researchers Daniela Bond-Smith, Trey Gordner and Caleb Wood note that while many fire-affected households still face significant housing challenges, including increased rent costs, displacement and ongoing instability, there have been signs of improving stability in recent months.
“The proportion of displaced households in temporary housing decreased from 51% to 45%, suggesting that a small number of households have been able to transition into longer-term accommodations,” the post stated. “Additionally, more than 70% of displaced residents in temporary housing have now remained in the same location for at least six months, indicating a reduction in the frequency of forced relocations.
Again, challenges remain. According to the new data, half of all respondents are still in temporary housing. Among them, over a third are living with friends or family, in temporary units without assistance, or are unhoused — nearly double the rate before the disaster.
Rents also remain 50% to 60% higher for homes with the same or fewer bedrooms, with no measurable decline since August 2024. Cost is an even bigger issue for larger units, with three-bedroom or larger rentals roughly 90% higher than before the fires.
Displacement remains a defining characteristic of the post-fire experience for many affected households, with approximately 90% of Lahaina burn area residents still living elsewhere. According to the post, many people from other areas of the island who worked or owned businesses in West Maui or Kula have also had to relocate and remain displaced.
The most recent survey data indicates that most displaced residents intend to return to West Maui, though lack of affordable housing remains a significant issue.
Economic conditions remain grim for affected households, with about a fourth of respondents earning less than half of what they made before the fires and overall poverty rates holding at roughly double what they were. Unemployment among fire-affected individuals is higher than that of the overall Maui population, with no sustained improvement since the start of the survey.
The situation is exacerbated by a decline in the availability of financial assistance, from food stamps to unemployment insurance.
To date, over 900 fire-affected individuals have participated in the survey, with an average monthly sample of about 425 responses. The full dataset and analysis are available at UHERO Maui Recovery Dashboard.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.
