Maui wildfire survivors ineligible for federal aid may get help

Eight months after wildfires ravaged the island of Maui, a new partnership between Hawaii Gov Josh Green and nonprofit HomeAid Hawaii aims to help survivors rebuild.

The Ka La’i Ola project is the largest interim housing project for Maui wildfire survivors as of yet, equipped with 450 housing units.

Named by Maui Kuma Hula Pueo Pata, Ka La’i Ola means “The Place of Peaceful Recovery”. The apartment building will offer one, two and three bedroom units as well as studio apartments. They will be built on 54 acres and offer temporary homes to wildfire survivors for up to five years.

HomeAid Hawaii is a nonprofit organization dedicated to housing solutions. The organization has served as the state’s developer for Green’s Kuahale Initiative. The organization is currently partnered with the state of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), and will help develop 12 Kuahale, or communal living spaces, by the end of 2024.

“We have been working on this with some amazing partners since before the wildfires were even fully extinguished,” said Governor Green in a statement. “We know that survivors are still suffering and this will help take care of our people. Ka La‘i Ola represents one of many collaborative efforts, to provide access to safe and secure temporary housing for our most vulnerable households. We are committed to a sensitive response that respects the dignity of every individual and family involved as they work to rebuild their lives.”.

Those who will reside at Ka La’i Ola do not have to qualify for any federal aid, such as FEMA. The state of Hawaii has been paying approximately $56 million each month to support the population in hotels and other temporary residences. Kai La’i Ola will cost over $115 million to create. $75 million will be granted by the state, with the rest of the funding will be covered by charitable and community efforts. Other resources, such as health care, childcare, resiliency centers, gardens, outdoor spaces, and more will be coming from private support.

Ka La’i Ola will be providing property management and community services to help survivors heal, recover, and rebuild their lives. Disaster case managers will also be helping residents with trauma-related services.

The land which Ka La’i Ola will be built upon has been leased to DHS for five years by the Hawai’i Housing and Finance Development. Once the lease ends, the land will go to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL), helping accelerate the DHHL’s development for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries by 17 years.