One year after devastating fires, La‘ikū housing welcomes two more families

On Aug. 7, the eve of the anniversary of the 2023 wildfires that destroyed 3,071 homes, two more families from Lahaina received keys to temporary homes at the La‘ikū housing site.

“This was number six,” said Carol Lee Ah Puck, referring to the number of times she has moved since the wildfire. She anticipates this being her final tenancy. “I have everything I need, for now, at least until we start rebuilding.”

La‘ikū, which means ‘a calming place,’ is a public-private funded temporary housing project located along Lahainaluna Road, consisting of 16 two-bedroom, one-bath units, each measuring 560 square feet. The first two families began moving in on July 23.

“While La‘ikū is a relatively small project, every unit that we develop means one more family will have a more stable housing environment and a foundation to help rebuild their lives and continue healing,” said Gov. Josh Green, M.D.

The $3.9 million development is a partnership between the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) Maui Strong Fund and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (DOE).

The homes are being built on approximately two acres of land that was previously acquired by the HDOT as part of the Lahaina Bypass project. According to HDOT Director Ed Sniffen, who spoke at a press conference on the property on Wednesday, once tenants move out and into longterm housing, the land will convert to teacher housing for the DOE.

The identical, modular homes were constructed assembly-style by HPM Building Supply on Hawaiʻi Island and come with standing seam, metal roofs. According to HPM, four homes are being shipped every two weeks to the development. Four additional units will be completed on Aug. 9, and the remaining eight units will be delivered by September. 

Monthly rent for homes in La‘ikū is $1,750, which tenants can pay via personal funds, rental assistance from FEMA, or insurance proceeds. Water and sewer services, up to $75 per month as well as trash removal, are included for each unit. Family dogs and cats of up to 50 pounds are welcomed in the neighborhood.

There is no income limit for applicants, whose eligibility for tenancy will be verified as wildfire-impacted by the CNHA Kākoʻo Maui Resource Center. Families who may have temporarily relocated to other islands are also eligible to apply. Units must be occupied by a minimum of two, or up to a maximum of five people. Parking is limited to two vehicles per unit. Street parking is not allowed. Applications for Laʻikū may be submitted online via helpingmaui.org or by visiting the CNHA Kākoʻo Maui Resource Center at Maui Mall during regular business hours.

Status of permits

On Wednesday, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen also outlined the current status of permits in the impact zone.

Per his summary, 20 families are rebuilding their homes in the impact zone now, another 48 permits have been approved, and 130 others are in the queue.