Transcript:
Two years ago, wildfires hit Lahaina, Hawaii, and destroyed thousands of people’s homes.
Businesses burned down and tourism dried up, so many survivors also lost their jobs.
Today, fewer than 100 homes have been rebuilt, rent for the remaining homes is very high, and the poverty rate among survivors has nearly doubled.
Alexander-Monkres: “Recovery takes a long time. It takes a really long time.”
Rhonda Alexander-Monkres leads the Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group.
It connects fire survivors with disaster case managers, who get to know each person’s challenges and identify resources to help them.
That could mean financial help to pay the rent, for example, or mental health support.
The group is also part of the coalition behind the Keep Lahaina Home program, which offers people grants to supplement their insurance payouts so they can rebuild their homes.
Slowly, this work is getting Lahaina back on its feet, but there’s still a long way to go.
Alexander-Monkres: “Our community is strong, our community is resilient, and our community are fighters. So we want to continue to keep our local people home … and that’s what we will continue to fight for and do.”
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
