A look at Lahaina’s recovery 2 years after the fires
News
September 2, 2025
Maui survivors face countless challenges as recovery and community efforts continue, two years since wildfires swept through Lahaina on Aug. 8, 2023.
These photos from August 2025 share the ongoing construction and healing process. Many of the areas that burned have not yet been rebuilt
Photos: A look at Lahaina’s recovery 2 years after the fires
Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) announces that applications are now open for the Maui Disaster Stabilization Grant, a new grant program that provides up to $25,000 in direct financial support to 2023 Maui Wildfire survivors to assist with their unmet needs for housing, utilities, transportation, home restoration and healthcare costs. Applications are available as of August 21 and will remain open until funds are depleted.
“The Maui Disaster Stabilization Grant aims to address critical gaps in the long-term recovery process for many families who are still struggling,” states MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. “Through this $5 million grant from HCF’s Maui Strong Fund, we were able to partner with Hoʻōla LTRG to help wildfire victims who continue to struggle to meet their basic needs.”
HCF Maui Strong Fund grant helps restore emergency shelter and housing in Lahaina
News
September 2, 2025
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF), through its Maui Strong Fund, has committed up to $8 million to help restore a vital emergency shelter and affordable housing facility in Lahaina, closing a critical funding gap for Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers Inc. (KHAKO), one of the island’s longest-standing service providers for Maui’s unhoused.
HCF Maui Strong Fund grant helps restore emergency shelter and housing in Lahaina
Meltdowns, nightmares and regressions: The L.A. fires are taking a traumatic toll on kids
News
March 13, 2025
Justina Acevedo-Cross, Senior Director of community strategy at the Hawaii Community Foundation, which funds early childhood initiatives on the islands, said that even 18 months after wildfire destroyed Lahaina, teachers and child-care providers are still seeing behavioral issues.
Meltdowns, nightmares and regressions: The L.A. fires are taking a traumatic toll on kids
RMIT University in Australia is studying evacuation decision-making and behavior during the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda. We want to hear from you – scan the QR code to sign up! Or visit: https://bit.ly/wildfiremaui.
Interviews will take place March 28 to April 8, 2025. You will receive a $30 Amazon/Target gift card for taking part.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Participants must be +18 years old. This research is funded by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
For more information, contact the research team: tegan.larin@rmit.edu.au or call toll free +613 9925 0959.
Renewed Purpose: Maui’s Small Businesses Forge New Paths Forward Post Fires
In this episode of Aloha Maui, we share inspiring stories from Maui’s resilient small business community as they navigate recovery following the 2023 fires. Join us as we talk with local business leaders from Sparky’s Food Company, Waiwaolani, Maui Crisps, and Maui Chili Chili Oil, as well as the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, who provided invaluable support through partnerships and grants. Listen to how these businesses not only sustained their operations but also contributed to community healing, fostering innovative pathways for Maui’s economic resilience and future growth.
Guests: Tonga Hopoi, Natasha Sparks, Rose Aiwohi, Beth Apo, Kit Furukawa
Hawai‘i Community Foundation & Hawai‘i Community Lending on Maui’s Recovery
In this episode of Aloha Maui, we delve into the impact of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) and Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL) on Maui’s post-fire recovery, exploring their combined efforts to create both immediate and long-term support for local residents. Leaders from HCF discuss the Maui Strong Fund’s® rapid response, which provided crucial relief in the early days of the crisis and continues to fuel lasting solutions. With a unique, relationship-based approach to lending, Hawai‘i Community Lending prioritizes conversations with clients to assess genuine affordability, supporting homeowners as though they’re family—whether it’s “your auntie, your uncle, your brother, or your sister.” Through initiatives like House Maui, HCF and HCL together, are pioneering sustainable solutions to Maui’s housing crisis, reflecting resilience and a commitment to community-centered support.
Guests: Kēhau Meyer, Keanu Lau Hee, Jeff Gilbreath
Pono Legal: Restoring Hope and Justice in Maui’s Recovery
Makawao’s own Heidi Ho, an attorney and Law School professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, watched the devastation of August 8, 2023, unfold from her home in California, aching to be on the ground helping her community. Two weeks later, PONO Legal was born and is providing pro bono legal support to those impacted by the fires. From navigating FEMA claims to ensuring homeowners’ rights, Aloha Maui dives into the work of Pono Legal and its mission to empower the community in the journey toward recovery and resilience.
Guests: Heidi Ho, Kono Davis, Diane Ho, Hi’ilei Casco
Maui Strong: Nonprofits in Action
When disaster struck, Maui’s nonprofit network stepped up with support from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund®. In this episode of Aloha Maui, hear from leaders at Boys and Girls Club, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., Maui United Way, and others as they share how they’re meeting urgent community needs and developing long-term solutions, from critical programming for our youth to essential healthcare and food security. Tune in to discover how these organizations, together with Maui’s resilient spirit, are shaping a path forward for every family, child, and elder affected by the fires.
Guests: Debbie Cabebe, Sunny Chen, Jason Economou, Erika Kapu, Kelly Maluo-Pearson, Bobby Pahia
Lahaina’s Legacy: Stories from the Heart of Maui’s Family-Owned Businesses
In this heartfelt episode of Aloha Maui, we delve into the legacy of Lahaina’s treasured family-owned businesses, from the Ohta family mango stand to Nagasako Store and Hop Wo Bakery. Through conversations with both kupuna and younger ʻohana members, we uncover stories of resilience, cherished memories, and visions for the future. They share hopes for a Lahaina that honors its roots while embracing new beginnings, keeping the spirit of community alive for generations to come.
Guests: Carolyn Kam, Former Owner, Hop Wo Store, Richard Nagasako, Former Owner, Nagasako Store, Laurie Lei DeGama, Former Owner, No Ka ‘Oi Deli, Michelle Gordon, Former Owner, Ota Mango Stand