Paradise Burned

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Richy Palalay so closely identifies with his Maui hometown that he had a tattoo artist permanently ink ''Lahaina Grown'' on his forearms when he was 16.
But a chronic housing shortage and an influx of second-home buyers and wealthy transplants have been displacing residents like Palalay who give Lahaina its spirit and identity.
A fast-moving wildfire that incinerated much of the compact coastal settlement last week has multiplied concerns that any homes rebuilt there will be targeted at affluent outsiders seeking a tropical haven. That would turbo-charge what is already one of Hawaii's gravest and biggest challenges: the exodus and displacement of Native Hawaiian and local-born residents who can no longer afford to live in their homeland.
''I'm more concerned of big land developers coming in and seeing this charred land as an opportunity to rebuild,'' Palalay said Saturday at a shelter for evacuees.
Hotels and condos ''that we can't afford, that we can't afford to live in — that's what we're afraid of,'' he said.
Then came Tuesday's wildfire, which lay waste to its wooden homes and historic streets in just a few hours, killing at least 93 people to become the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in a century.

Maui County estimates more than 80% of the more than 2,700 structures in the town were damaged or destroyed and 4,500 residents are newly in need of shelter.
The blaze torched Palalay's restaurant, his neighborhood, his friends' homes and possibly even the four-bedroom house where he pays $1,000 monthly to rent one room. He and his housemates haven't had an opportunity to return to examine it themselves, though they've seen images showing their neighborhood in ruins.
He said the town, which was once the capital of the former Hawaiian kingdom in the 1800s, made him the man he is today.
''Lahaina is my home. Lahaina is my pride. My life. My joy,'' he said in a text message, adding that the town has taught him ''lessons of love, struggle, discrimination, passion, division and unity you could not fathom.''
The median price of a Maui home is $1.2 million, putting a single-family home out of reach for the typical wage earner. It's not possible for many to even buy a condo, with the median condo price at $850,000.
Sterling Higa, the executive director of Housing Hawaii's Future, a nonprofit organization that advocates for more housing in Hawaii, said the town is host to many houses that have been in the hands of local families for generations. But it's also been subject to gentrification.
''So a lot of more recent arrivals — typically from the American mainland who have more money and can buy homes at a higher price — were to some extent displacing local families in Lahaina,'' Higa said. It's a phenomenon he has seen all along Maui's west coast where a modest starter home two decades ago now sells for $1 million.
Residents with insurance or government aid may get funds to rebuild, but those payouts could take years and recipients may find it won't be enough to pay rent or buy an alternate property in the interim.
Many on Kauai spent years fighting for insurance payments after Hurricane Iniki slammed into the island in 1992 and said the same could happen in Lahaina, Higa said.
''As they deal with this — the frustration of fighting insurance companies or fighting (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) — many of them may well leave because there are no other options,'' Higa said.
Gov. Josh Green, during a visit to Lahaina with FEMA, told journalists that he won't let Lahaina get too expensive for locals after rebuilding. He said he is thinking about ways for the state to acquire land to use for workforce housing or open space as a memorial for those lost.

''We want Lahaina to be a part of Hawaii forever," Green said. "We don't want it to be another example of people being priced out of paradise.''
https://www.startribune.com/lahaina-residents-worry-a-rebuilt-maui-town-could-slip-into-the-hands-of-affluent-outsiders/600296802/

Its a sad tale,  but its happening all over our country,  locals are being priced out by big money corporate types.  

Being 'priced out of paradise' has unfortunately been going on in many places for decades. I do think developers will take advantage of this. There are gigantic billion dollar private equity companies that only purchase real estate (REPE). Real estate is such a great investment, I don't see that changing. Also, REITs are huge (Real Estate Investment Trusts).....in fact, they sway the housing market big time. 

Big money controls everything. EVERYTHING. There aren't people any longer, just 'assets' or 'liabilities'.....'cost centers'. There aren't movies anymore, just 'content'. Dehumanized and compartmentalized for the almighty corporate dollar.

I just read that Oprah had started buying up tracts of land in that specific part of Hawaii, and her land was unaffected by the fires. I doubt it's gonna be part of a Christmas giveaway.

Unfortunately, its sound like their warning systems didn't work and water in hydrants was non-existent. Shame on the folks that were in charge of keeping security hazard measures in place. Not sure it could have been prevented but it seems it could have been greatly mitigated. Tragic.

@"StickyBun" said: Being 'priced out of paradise' has unfortunately been going on in many places for decades. I do think developers will take advantage of this. There are gigantic billion dollar private equity companies that only purchase real estate (REPE). Real estate is such a great investment, I don't see that changing. Also, REITs are huge (Real Estate Investment Trusts).....in fact, they sway the housing market big time. 

Big money controls everything. EVERYTHING. There aren't people any longer, just 'assets' or 'liabilities'.....'cost centers'. There aren't movies anymore, just 'content'. Dehumanized and compartmentalized for the almighty corporate dollar.

Of all the places we went in Hawaii last summer, Lahaina was my favorite. It had a laid-back, almost mountain town vibe. Like a Breckenridge on the beach.

While there are big, fabulous homes in Maui, it sounds like the bulk of what burned was in the town of Lahaina proper, where I remember hundreds of little shops, restaurants and modest little houses. 

@"StickyBun" said: Unfortunately, its sound like their warning systems didn't work and water in hydrants was non-existent. Shame on the folks that were in charge of keeping security hazard measures in place. Not sure it could have been prevented but it seems it could have been greatly mitigated. Tragic.

Many areas in Maui still have power lines hanging from poles (not our neighborhood),
anyway as soon as the first poles went down, Hawaii Electric SHOULD HAVE SHUT OFF THAT GRID. Once power was disrupted, communications went down over there (We are in Kahului)

But there was NEVER one of those annoying “phone alert things”.  We knew nothing of the fires until the morning, watching the news.  Two days later, we DID get one of those notifications - telling us what routes were “CLOSED”

Our neighbor two doors down owns Lahaina Pizza Co., Across the street owns Aloha Hats, BOTH on Front street.  BOTH now just ash. The video most seen of the flames on the right side of the street was Lahaina Pizza Co.  Galleries and jewelry stores, the Banyan tree! The Elementary School all burned. Next door neighbor does the family / newlywed / sunset photography portraits at Hyatt.  All are remaining positive, in light of their business losses.

Maroon is correct the “historic” district was a blast furnace, the fire moved so fast people had to abandon their cars, and jobs and flee to the ocean. the boats in the harbor caught fire, and their fuel tanks ruptured, falling debris ignited the gas on to the surface of the water.  MANY died in the water, initially sinking, bodies have started to float to the surface / retrieved against the sea walls.

Maui memorial has been tasked to try and identify the remains, but the heat was so intense in many instances there is only ash. dental records in many instances are useless - I guess in intense heat the teeth incinerate also.

Any yes, Carpetbaggers are coming out of the woodwork offering to buy the land that the homes were once on for “pennies on the dollar” all while family members are mourning, and many are still missing.  

That said, while all the rich “movie star” folks are yelping “DONT come to Maui” They obviously havent thought it through.  Yes, let us recover for a while...BUT...THEN VISITORS NEED TO COME.  Lahaina is only a fraction of this beautiful island, South Maui, Hana, Iao, Kapalua, Heleakala, waterfalls, golf, fishing, dining, hikes, bikes....We need you here.

its not bad enough the destruction, but now, IF NO ONE COMES, YOURE PUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF WORK ALSO.  There is more to Maui than Lahaina, and for most folks who come here, Lahaina is an afternoon shopping, dining, etc. OTHERWISE, lounge at the pool, enjoy your day at the beach, dine in Kihei, go to Ho’okipa, golf...but we need visitors to help our recovery.

V83

@"StickyBun" said: Unfortunately, its sound like their warning systems didn't work and water in hydrants was non-existent. Shame on the folks that were in charge of keeping security hazard measures in place. Not sure it could have been prevented but it seems it could have been greatly mitigated. Tragic.

Glad to hear you and family are ok VG - least I hope you all are. 

Maui Strong! 

I have no doubt the island will come back, but thats a discussion for another day. 

@"JimmyinSD" said: I just read that Oprah had started buying up tracts of land in that specific part of Hawaii, and her land was unaffected by the fires. I doubt it's gonna be part of a Christmas giveaway.

https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/oprah-winfrey-maui-land-purchase-1234814613/

@"Vanguard83" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Unfortunately, its sound like their warning systems didn't work and water in hydrants was non-existent. Shame on the folks that were in charge of keeping security hazard measures in place. Not sure it could have been prevented but it seems it could have been greatly mitigated. Tragic.

As many may recall, my family lives on Maui.
As Dora passed us to the South, the winds picked up.  

Many areas in Maui still have power lines hanging from poles (not our neighborhood),
anyway as soon as the first poles went down, Hawaii Electric SHOULD HAVE SHUT OFF THAT GRID. Once power was disrupted, communications went down over there (We are in Kahului)

But there was NEVER one of those annoying “phone alert things”.  We knew nothing of the fires until the morning, watching the news.  Two days later, we DID get one of those notifications - telling us what routes were “CLOSED”

Our neighbor two doors down owns Lahaina Pizza Co., Across the street owns Aloha Hats, BOTH on Front street.  BOTH now just ash. The video most seen of the flames on the right side of the street was Lahaina Pizza Co.  Galleries and jewelry stores, the Banyan tree! The Elementary School all burned. Next door neighbor does the family / newlywed / sunset photography portraits at Hyatt.  All are remaining positive, in light of their business losses.

Maroon is correct the “historic” district was a blast furnace, the fire moved so fast people had to abandon their cars, and jobs and flee to the ocean. the boats in the harbor caught fire, and their fuel tanks ruptured, falling debris ignited the gas on to the surface of the water.  MANY died in the water, initially sinking, bodies have started to float to the surface / retrieved against the sea walls.

Maui memorial has been tasked to try and identify the remains, but the heat was so intense in many instances there is only ash. dental records in many instances are useless - I guess in intense heat the teeth incinerate also.

Any yes, Carpetbaggers are coming out of the woodwork offering to buy the land that the homes were once on for “pennies on the dollar” all while family members are mourning, and many are still missing.  

That said, while all the rich “movie star” folks are yelping “DONT come to Maui” They obviously havent thought it through.  Yes, let us recover for a while...BUT...THEN VISITORS NEED TO COME.  Lahaina is only a fraction of this beautiful island, South Maui, Hana, Iao, Kapalua, Heleakala, waterfalls, golf, fishing, dining, hikes, bikes....We need you here.

its not bad enough the destruction, but now, IF NO ONE COMES, YOURE PUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF WORK ALSO.  There is more to Maui than Lahaina, and for most folks who come here, Lahaina is an afternoon shopping, dining, etc. OTHERWISE, lounge at the pool, enjoy your day at the beach, dine in Kihei, go to Ho’okipa, golf...but we need visitors to help our recovery.

V83

yeah, we are fine where we are.

school was cancelled since Wednesday of last week - Teachers head back today, students back on Wednesday. (Friday is statehood day / No School)

Not sure what the schools in Lahaina will be doing, but we are anticipating an influx of students

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-wildfire-lahaina-aid-anger/index.html

No comment....  (Too Soon?)

Glad you were out of the fire zone Vanguard

this fucking guy should be executed immediately.  I am ignoring the political bent in this piece,  but what this ass clown did was criminal.

https://www.outkick.com/obama-backed-hawaii-official-refused-to-release-maui-water-to-help-fight-wildfire-because-of-his-environmental-views/

The head of the “Emergency response team” or whatever resigned yesterday.

Its probably a great job to have......that is....until an actual emergency.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/some-hawaiians-want-tourists-to-stay-away-for-good-do-they-have-a-point-182344212.html

tourism is the life blood here.  yeah, some recovery time is needed, but tourists need to come to Hawaii / Maui.  so many jobs rely on our guests.  Yeah - go ahead and chase them away, but when you cant pay the mortgage because there are no jobs left - youve just cut your own throat.

Three neighbors of ours own businesses that were destroyed on Front St. - All three have expressed how important it is for tourism to return

@"Vanguard83" said: tourism is the life blood here.  yeah, some recovery time is needed, but tourists need to come to Hawaii / Maui.  so many jobs rely on our guests.  Yeah - go ahead and chase them away, but when you cant pay the mortgage because there are no jobs left - youve just cut your own throat.

Three neighbors of ours own businesses that were destroyed on Front St. - All three have expressed how important it is for tourism to return

This won't help moving forward either: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/21/us/hawaii-lahaina-water-wildfire/index.html

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Vanguard83" said: tourism is the life blood here.  yeah, some recovery time is needed, but tourists need to come to Hawaii / Maui.  so many jobs rely on our guests.  Yeah - go ahead and chase them away, but when you cant pay the mortgage because there are no jobs left - youve just cut your own throat.

Three neighbors of ours own businesses that were destroyed on Front St. - All three have expressed how important it is for tourism to return

Yep, tourists are definitely getting mixed messages. And some Maui businesses are already laying people off and have seen massive reductions in sales. Sad. What is so typical is overreaction.....and this overreaction is going to cost Maui businesses big time unfortunately.

This won't help moving forward either: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/21/us/hawaii-lahaina-water-wildfire/index.html