Hawaii Governor Josh Green is issuing a stern warning to developers, both domestic and international, against purchasing land in Lahaina, the historic town that has been devastated by catastrophic wildfires. Green stated in a video message on Tuesday that the state government is considering acquiring the land in order to protect it for local residents and prevent it from being seized by outsiders.
The wildfires have caused significant damage in Lahaina, a town with a population of approximately 13,000 on the island of Maui. As of Tuesday, the blaze has claimed the lives of at least 106 individuals and left thousands homeless. The destruction caused by the fire amounts to an estimated $5.6 billion in property value, with over 2,700 structures destroyed. This makes it the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century and the worst natural disaster in the history of Hawaii.
Green emphasized the need for a complete reconstruction of Lahaina, a process that will span several years. However, residents are concerned that outside developers will exploit the situation and purchase the valuable land once the rebuilding efforts commence.
Lahaina holds immense historical and cultural significance for Hawaii. It served as the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom during the early 19th century until the seat of government was moved to Honolulu in 1850, well before the U.S. annexed the islands in 1898.
Green pledged to take necessary measures to prevent the land from falling into the hands of external parties. He asserted that no building, rezoning, or similar activities will be allowed if anyone attempts to take advantage of the local community. To reinforce this commitment, Green instructed the state attorney general to explore the possibility of imposing a moratorium on property sales for those affected by the wildfires.
Governor of Hawaii Josh Green speaks during a press conference about the destruction of historic Lahaina and the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui in Wailuku, Hawaii on August 12, 2023.
Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images
In addition, the governor revealed that he has instructed the attorney general to station lawyers at response centers to provide free legal advice to Lahaina residents, ensuring they are not taken advantage of by individuals offering to purchase their land following the fire.
Maui is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting nearly 3 million visitors who spend about $5.7 billion on the island in 2022. However, residents have long grappled with a high cost of living and a housing shortage before the wildfires struck.
Data from the Realtors Association of Maui shows that inventory for single-family home sales in Maui dropped by nearly 40% in July compared to the same period in 2019. The median price for a single-family home in Lahaina was already $1.3 million in July prior to the wildfires.
Hawaii consistently ranks as the state with the highest cost of living in the U.S. It also had the fourth highest homelessness rate in the country in 2022, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Green announced that more than 500 hotel rooms and 435 donated rentals are available to temporarily accommodate displaced individuals during the rebuilding process in Lahaina. Additionally, Airbnb will be providing over 1,000 units, as stated by the governor.
Last week, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Hawaii, granting access to emergency assistance for the island. This includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-cost loans for uninsured property losses.
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