On Tuesday, August 8 2023, a deadly wildfire on Maui destroyed historic Lāhainā Town– burning over 2,100 structures, killing at least 99 residents, and resulting in an estimated $6 billion in damages.

Less than a week has gone by since the tragic event –with hundreds of families still missing family members and unable to return home to assess the damage– and realtors are already calling families asking if they would like to sell their property. This is outrageous and disgusting behavior by private interests to exploit this crisis and directly profit from the devastation on Maui.

As decision makers at the county, state, and federal level take action to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery for Lāhainā, it is imperative they consider the interrelated crises of climate change, capitalism, and colonialism– which were in place long before the Lāhainā wildfires, and now risk being intensified as the community grapples to recover.

We, the undersigned, call on the Maui County Council, Maui Mayor Bissen, Hawai‘i State Legislators, and Governor Josh Green to stop land grabs in Lāhainā and commit to a just recovery by:

1) Placing a moratorium on any residential and commercial foreclosures,

2) Providing direct and long-term economic support to impacted families,

3) Preventing the further displacement of residents, especially Kānaka Maoli and multigenerational families,

4) Committing to a Kānaka Maoli centered and community-led decision making process for recovery planning, and

5) Rebuilding with resilience for future natural disasters related to climate change.

Decision makers must take action to prevent land grabs in Lāhainā, to stop the further exploitation of Maui’s land and people for private profits, and provide reassurance that the voices of the community will be centered and uplifted throughout the recovery and rebuilding process.

Keep Lāhainā lands in Lāhainā hands!