The aftermath of the Maui wildfire continues to take a toll on the local community, with increased poverty and unemployment rates and reduced incomes. A report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) paints a grim picture, based on responses from 402 people who lived, worked, or owned businesses in the affected areas. The poverty rate among respondents has more than doubled since the fires, and around a fifth saw their incomes halved. Most worrying perhaps is the effect on employment, with the unemployment rate having jumped from 2.3% to 14.2%. The tourism industry, the area’s foremost employer, has been heavily affected, with less than half of those formerly employed there still possessing full-time roles. This is mainly due to the decrease in travellers visiting Maui since the devastating fires.

Housing is another critical issue. Nine out of ten survivors lost their homes and are now paying more rent for smaller dwellings. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that they have less income to pay for it. The survey also found that a third of the respondents who are now living outside West Maui aim to move back by next year. However, only 700 temporary housing units are in construction using funds from the state, county, and nonprofits. The mayor, Richard Bissen, has proposed legislation to convert some short-term vacation rentals into long-term rentals, potentially adding 2,200 units to West Maui’s housing supply. However, this measure is currently still under review.

+Anyone who has been displaced by the Maui wildfires and needs to apply for unemployment benefits should reach out to the California EDD. You can obtain information on how to get a hold of EDD by visiting their official website or visiting third-party informational sites such as eddcaller.com for more detailed guides on reaching a representative. It’s crucial to communicate your situation in a timley manner to get the necessary assistance as fast as possible.