Hawaii
Growing number of Maui residents are ‘barely surviving,’ new report finds
Survivors share their devastating stories of survival from Maui, HI
Maui evacuees shared their devastating stories of survival after the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century.
Claire Hardwick, USA TODAY
Nearly half of Maui residents say their financial situation has worsened since the Lahaina fire and 1 in 5 are “seriously considering” leaving the state, according to a new report that paints a troubling picture of the challenges facing fire survivors – and the county as a whole.
More than two-thirds of fire survivors have struggled to afford groceries in the last year, and half have cut back on medical care for financial reasons.
“We don’t use the word ‘poverty’ very often to talk about the situations in Maui County and we should,” said Lisa Grove, lead researcher of the Maui Together Wildfire Assessment.
More than 2,000 county residents and 1,000 fire survivors participated in the assessment, which is being published by the Hawaii State Rural Health Association and drew on both written surveys and in-person and online focus groups.
The vast majority of respondents – whether they lived in West Maui or Lanai or Molokai – said they were more worried than hopeful about their future in Hawaii.
Perhaps most troubling, it’s the people with the deepest roots in Hawaii who expressed the most uncertainty about their future here, Grove said.
“It’s our Native Hawaiian community. It’s our kupuna. It’s the long-time residents,” Grove said during a presentation Thursday on the survey. “And that is tragic.”
‘A phoenix from the ashes’: How the landmark tree is faring a year after Maui wildfire
Fire Impacts Wide, But Unequal
The percentage of residents across the county who said they had been directly and indirectly impacted by the fires – 72% – was startling, said Grove, a Lanai resident who has been conducting polls and surveys in Hawaii since 1990.
“Those who have been directly impacted by the fires have experienced greater financial, mental and physical hardship than the rest of the county, though circumstances on all three islands have worsened over the past two years,” the assessment points out.
The mood of people surveyed across the county was grim. “Stress,” “uncertain” and “stressful” were among the most common words respondents countywide selected to describe their life. For fire survivors, “concerned,” “struggling” and “frustrated” were some of the most-used descriptors.
Fire survivors reported higher rates of being unemployed or under-employed than the rest of the county. They also tend to be younger, more likely to have children living with them and were less likely to have a college degree.
Just over half of fire survivors surveyed were living in West Maui, and those who had been able to stay on that side of the island appeared to be faring better than those housed in other places.
Housing instability was, unsurprisingly, a top issue for people displaced by the fire. Roughly 50% of fire survivors said they had moved at least three times since last August, and 11% had moved six or more times.
Mental health is also a significant issue, Grove said, and is something that needs to be prioritized in recovery efforts.
An Exodus Coming?
Though there is no definitive data on how many people have left Maui since the fire, the exodus of residents is a significant concern for many in the county.
A majority of people – 81% of fire survivors and 65% of county residents – have had friends move away from Maui since the fire, while 30% of fire survivors had family members leave.
Nearly half – 45% – of fire survivors said they were “very seriously” or “somewhat seriously” thinking about leaving themselves.
While people of all socioeconomic backgrounds said they were contemplating leaving the state, fire survivors who moved in the last year are more likely to be white, older and in a higher income bracket. People who had only been in the state a short time were also more likely to have departed after the fire.
Grove said that in past statewide surveys she’s conducted, there are generally three things people say keep them in Hawaii: ohana, a sense of aloha and the multi-ethnic and diverse nature of the state.
There’s going to be a tipping point, Grove believes, where those wonderful things are outweighed by the struggles of trying to live here.
“I feel like we can only go so far with those intangibles when you’re talking about people saying that they’re barely surviving,” she said.
This story was published in partnership with Honolulu Civil Beat, a nonprofit newsroom doing investigative and watchdog journalism relating to the state of Hawaii.
Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation. Civil Beat’s community health coverage is supported by the Cooke Foundation, Atherton Family Foundation and Papa Ola Lokahi.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – HECO is responding as thousands of customers in East Honolulu from Aina Haina to Waimanalo are without power Tuesday morning, according to HECO’s outage map.
The first outage was reported around 4:45 a.m.
HECO said power has been restored to some customers in Hawaii Kai, but about 3,300 customers are still in the dark.
Impacted areas include Aina Haina, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Kahala, Waialae Iki, Waialae Nui Ridge, Wailupe, Hahaione, Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, Kamiloiki, Koko Head, Koko Marina and Waimanalo.
Power is estimated to be completely restored around 7:30 a.m. for some areas.
HECO says the outage is not part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff program.
The cause of the outage is unclear.
This story will be updated.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.
The following came from Gary Napoleon Jr., candidate for Hawaii County Council District 2, which covers Hilo and a portion of South Hilo. The other candidates include Blaine Kenji Bautista, Jennifer Kagiwada and Grace Manipol.
Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.
1. What is the biggest issue facing Hawaii County, and what would you do about it?
Revitalizing and strengthening our economy, especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, is of utmost importance.
Small, locally owned businesses are the heartbeat of Hilo and deserve our support. I plan to showcase small businesses through family-friendly community events and restore downtown Hilo to the gathering place it once was.
2. Overtourism can degrade the environment, threaten biodiversity, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What do you think about the amount of tourism on the Big Island and how it’s managed?
While we welcome tourists and the economic benefits they bring, it is crucial to manage tourism in a way that minimizes negative effects.
By educating tourists about how to treat our islands respectfully and sustainably, we can help preserve our environment and maintain the quality of life for residents. Providing information on responsible tourism practices, such as staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife and understanding cultural norms, can make a big difference.
3. What needs to happen to relieve traffic congestion in and around Kailua-Kona and along the Puna-Keaau-Hilo corridor?
The number of single-occupant vehicles needs to be reduced. Enhancing our existing public transit system, as well as encouraging the use of carpools will help to reduce traffic congestion in these areas.
4. The cost of living on Hawaii island is rising rapidly. How are working and middle-class people expected to buy a house or pay the rent as well as take care of other expenses? And how can the county government help?
The cost of living in Hawaii continues to rise and is a challenge statewide. The county government can implement policies such as increasing affordable housing initiatives, providing subsidies or tax incentives for renters and homeowners, as well as collaborating with local businesses to promote stable employment with livable wages.
In addition, the county government can support statewide initiatives which seek to reduce the growing cost of living in paradise.
5. Do you support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea?
All stakeholders should have equitable voice in the decisions made regarding the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
Existing structures which are no longer in use should be removed. Efforts to educate the public on the potential benefits of the telescope should be communicated more clearly.
6. Homelessness remains a problem statewide, including on Hawaii island. What would you do to come to grips with this persistent problem?
It is no longer sufficient to merely suggest help to the unhoused; we must enforce structured and comprehensive support.
My long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive facility where individuals who are unhoused can receive the medical attention and support they need. This facility will provide access to medical care, mental health support, job training and life skills education.
7. Half of Hawaii’s cesspools are on the Big Island, some 49,300. Seepage from cesspools can make people sick, harm coral reefs and lead to a variety of ecological damage. By law, cesspools must be upgraded to septic systems by 2050. What can be done to help people who may not be able to afford the conversion?
Affordable payment plans can be put in place for people who may not be able to afford conversion from cesspools to septic systems.
In addition, I would utilize county connections and resources to apply for grants to support residents struggling with financial costs associated with this conversion.
8. What is the first thing Hawaii County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it?
Hawaii County has an established Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience, which I would collaborate closely with.
This office employs dedicated individuals who are at the forefront of community efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and protect our islandʻs biodiversity.
9. Should the Hu Honua biomass energy plant be allowed to start operating? Why or why not?
At this time, the Hu Honua energy plant is not approved for operation.
Given the air pollution this plant will create in addition to the increased cost of electricity for residents, I do not believe this is a viable option for energy production on our island.
10. How would you make the county administration more transparent and accessible to the public?
Social media has significantly enhanced the dissemination of information by providing a platform for rapid and widespread sharing.
I plan to utilize social media to not only share news, ideas and updates in real-time, but to interact and engage with community members. I also plan to utilize social media to increase public awareness regarding important community issues.
Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed.
Voters in Hawaii’s 1st House District will face an unusual situation in the upcoming state primary: Rep. Mark Nakashima, 61, passed away on July 11 yet will still appear on the ballot as a viable candidate.
According to the Hawaii Office of Elections, his name will stay on the ballots since they were printed before his passing. Nakashima was the only candidate running for the seat, assuring his victory.
“Given that the Honorable Mark. M. Nakashima would have met (the electoral) requirements, he would have been declared duly and legally elected after the Primary Election,” Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago said in a statement after the sole candidate’s death.
More: Hawaii’s state primary is Aug. 10. Here are tips for what’s on the ballot, how to vote
Once the results are tabulated and a winner is announced, Gov. Josh Green must appoint someone within 60 days from a list of three candidates submitted by Nakashima’s political party, the Democratic Party.
Nakashima, 61, had battled diabetes for years and faced significant health complications, according to his family. He also received a kidney transplant in January 2023.
Nakashima served as chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, chairman of the Committee on Labor and Public Employment and vice chairman of the Higher Education Committee.
“Rep. Nakashima’s legacy of service, dedication to education, and commitment to sustainable energy will continue to inspire us all,” said Green. “He was a gentle yet fierce advocate for Hawaii’s residents, and we honor his memory and contributions to our community and state.”
On social media, many constituents shared condolences and praised Nakashima’s service. “Mark Nakashima was a fine community leader,” Lark J. Morin of Lāhainā, Maui, said. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hawaii lawmaker’s death creates ballot complication for voters
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