Are Tourists Returning Too Soon to Lahaina?
The reality of displaced families and community resilience amidst the rush to reopen
Lareesa is a resident of Lahaina and former employee to co-host Chuck Warren. Her views are her own but she is on the ground and the report is a compilation of hundreds of conversations she is having with her fellow neighbors and volunteers. The tragedy is Lahaina and the follow-up is not being covered by mainstream media or being sanitized by news outlets.
By Lareesa Butters, Resident of Lahaina
Several hundred families are being asked to leave the hotels and condos they’ve been sheltering in since being displaced from the fires nearly 7 weeks ago. Deadlines have approached and passed. Red Cross safe harbor only covers 30 days and was extended 15 days, ending Sept 29th. Meanwhile, the west side is preparing to welcome back tourists on October 8th. A petition with 7,000+ community signatures was signed and sent to Gov. Josh Green pleading with him to wait.
Families are receiving texts, notices on their door and Red Cross volunteers banging on doors, and walking into rooms telling residents to pack up with less than 4 to 48 hours notice to leave with no recommendations or support on where to go next. Residents are being sent in circles from Red Cross to FEMA back to the family assistance center and the Civic Center and around and around to return with no solutions. This uncertainty is compounding stress and hindering the healing process for many. How can one show up as a good friend, a good partner, or a good parent when sitting in both grief and fight or flight?
Emotions are running high. Mental health has been a focal point in our community for the past four weeks, with Governor Josh Green initially emphasizing its importance but later downplaying its impact to prioritize economic pursuits. The emotional toll and anxiety induced by a strong gust of wind, the blare of an emergency siren, or the sight and smell of smoke have left the West side of Maui in a constant state of unease. Hawaiian practitioners and psychological counselors have generously donated their time at various hubs accessible to residents, yet many still find it difficult to open up about their experiences. We are sleep-deprived and emotionally drained. This, coupled with the stress of returning to work and the challenge of finding resources to care for our children, has pushed people to the brink. We are all attempting to grieve, heal, and rebuild while struggling to catch our breath. Maintaining a smile while answering the question 'Did you lose your home?' a hundred times from a hundred different guests is becoming increasingly wearisome. It's disheartening to note that several Airbnb listings, private condos, and homes started accepting guests well before the designated October 8th reopening date, and the audacity of some outsiders is simply astounding.
On Wednesday, September 27th, the Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee held a community meeting, but the governor and mayor were once again nowhere to be seen. Approximately 800 people packed the ballroom of the Westin Maui, with 150 individuals testifying over 12 hours about community concerns. The resounding message was the need to prioritize our residents first and take care of our people. The loudest question in the room: Where do we go from here? Many of us still have mortgages and property taxes to pay. Rental rates have nearly tripled throughout the entire island, and management companies are reaping significant profits, including application fees raised to $100 per person.
16,311 families have applied for FEMA and emergency services such as rental assistance and other needs assistance (such as auto replacement). However, no one has answers, and most have still not received support; many are even questioning the authenticity of the efforts. Misinformation and fear-mongering online have significantly hindered the efforts of some of these agencies. Of the 8,000 people currently being supported by FEMA, 900 families still need to register. West Maui Council representative Tamara Paltin has been working closely with FEMA, the Red Cross, and the Army Corps of Engineers to try to disseminate information to the public and hold these agencies accountable, as even the officials are being left in the dark until official press releases are issued.
Lahaina-based nonprofits like Rebuild Maui and the residents of the Kahana boat ramp community-based support are stepping up to construct domes, tiny homes, and other temporary shelters on donated land in the immediate interim—once again, filling the void left by the government and insufficient resources. However, canvas tents and metal boxes aren't a long-term solution for these families.
It's been said over and over again that October 8th is just too soon. We aren't ready. Our foundational support isn't in place. Funds aren't being distributed or received. Our Maslow's hierarchy of needs isn't met. Food, shelter, and water are necessary for community success, and the tourist dollars are only going to detract from those resources. We cannot pour from an empty cup, yet we are being asked to sacrifice our safety and limited stability for the economic profit of outside corporations.
Lareesa Butters is a longtime resident of Lahaina and friend of the show, Breaking Battlegrounds.