Frustration in Lahaina, Maui Over Fire Response
Local people in Lahaina, Maui are expressing their feelings and thoughts about the fire that occurred in August 2023. Lahaina, a town built on sacred burial sites, has a diverse population with only six percent having Hawaiian blood. Many locals cannot afford to live in their homeland due to rising housing costs. Meanwhile, wealthy individuals own luxury vacation rentals, leaving the Hawaiian people crowded in small houses on minimum wage jobs. The residents are receiving calls from real estate investors looking to buy their properties at low prices while organizations like FEMA and Red Cross are blocking them from receiving aid and volunteers.
Politicians Favoring The Wealthy Investors
The lack of leadership from local politicians and police blocking them from checking on their burnt homes has caused frustration among the locals. Additionally, water and electricity resources are directed towards resorts and golf courses rather than fire prevention. Despite these challenges, the locals continue to support and assist one another in these difficult times.
Flames of Frustration
Local people in Lahaina, Maui are expressing their frustration with the lack of assistance from FEMA and relief organizations following the fire. They’re criticizing the Red Cross for flying in from out of state but not being able to pick up bodies or debris. Instead, local people are taking matters into their own hands, using their own trucks, gas, and money to organize relief efforts. They’re also working full-time jobs while cleaning up the mess left behind by hotels that charge premium prices for their guests.
Sacred Ancestral Lands
Locals argue that their ancestral lands have been stolen and sold off to billionaires, and they prioritize reclaiming their land.
