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The Struggles of Maui County

New Maui Wildfire Study Reveals Impact on County Residents, Healthcare Access and More

Maui Together – a new study by the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association sheds light on the far-reaching effects of the Maui wildfires. The Maui Together Wildfire Assessment surveyed over 2,000 Maui county residents, including those directly impacted by the fires, along with healthcare providers. This data-rich assessment will be instrumental for policymakers, health agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders in crafting effective solutions.

MAUI TOGETHER methodology

Focus Groups & Community Survey

To understand the impact of the Maui wildfires, researchers conducted a multi-pronged approach. First, online focus groups were held with healthcare professionals across Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi. Additionally, in-person focus groups were conducted with fire survivors and disaster relief volunteers. A county-wide survey was distributed in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Ilocano, with a focus on reaching fire-affected residents. Finally, a separate survey targeted healthcare professionals in Maui County.

Access the JUNE 2024 Maui Together Presentation Slide Deck:

Watch the presentation recording:

Over half think Maui County is on the wrong track.

How many times have you had to move since the fires?

%
of fire survivors have had to move at least 3 times since the fires.

Nearly 6 in 10 have had to move at least 3 times since the fires. Nearly 1 in 5 have moved 5 times or more

Do you feel there are enough physicians on your island?

%
of Molokai residents
who believe their island
does not have enough
doctors. The other 3%
were unsure.

“It took me over a year to schedule a
mammogram. Missed calls, not
returned calls. No appts made.”

Survey and focus group respondents shared stories of deteriorating mental health.

JUNE 2024 Maui Together Report

“Initially being matched to a house with FEMA and then waiting 3 months to be told it was pulled from the program, to being matched a second time, to waiting again almost 2 months to finally move into the direct lease unit. Almost 5 months of waiting for no reason, after doing everything they said.”

“I don’t think anyone’s talked about how many suicides and how many things have happened post-fire, how much depression, how much PTSD. Everyone I know that was involved in it or escaping it, that is a friend of mine, is dealing with post-traumatic PTSD. Every time the wind blows harder, every time that ambulance goes by.“

“I have not slept a full eight hours in seven months.”

“I can’t get help. Seven of them dropped me before I found this community center, and then I was on the waiting list.”

“Fatigue comes on a little bit quicker… After the fire definitely had a lot of mental fog. Hard to focus on work when you’ve got so much other stuff going on and definitely not feeling you’re totally there.”

“I do feel like mental health is like a huge issue now, and that should be a focus for a lot of people in recovery efforts, and now that people have a place that they can stay for a little bit, and they can have time to think, and maybe they’re not working with insurance people every day, I feel like now people are realizing like, ‘Oh my gosh, this fire really affected me.’”

We offer a huge mahalo to the focus group participants. You shared your mana’o, lived experiences, and expertise. Without you, we would have missed something important. On behalf of all respondents, we hope we have faithfully reported your views, concerns, and priorities. We hope your opinions will be heard and acted upon.

Maui Together Resource

Maui Recovers

The official County of Maui website for recovery efforts related to the August 2023 fires on Maui.

Maui Nui Strong

Maui Nui Strong is a program of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development that connects our residents, businesses, and visitors to useful information about Maui County, our diverse islands, and a variety of resources that help to promote thriving and vibrant communities.

Molokai Rural Health Community Association

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