Lost workplaces combine difficulties for Maui -fire survivors

Honolulu (Hawaiinewsnow) – Eighteen months after the Lahaina Fire, in a report by the University of Hawaii's University Research Organization, says a report by the University of Hawaii (watchoro) that many fire -survivors have to deal with less available jobs while paying higher rent.

For this reason, landowners have to rebuild commercial buildings in order to offer jobs.

Maui County prioritized the reconstruction of houses in front of commercial properties. The houses rise faster than expected and most of the residents are stable in temporary apartment, but it could take a few more years for the companies in the historic Lahaina to offer jobs again.

Although loosely have been cleared, it is still not clear what can be dismantled.

The von Kaleo Schneider family owns several commercial plots along the Front Street, including the legendary Furtado building on the coast. Despite the lack of details about what is allowed, the family hires experts to make plans for the reconstruction that can take years even if it is permissible.

“If you have worked really hard and we are working together now, it is three years.

Schneider said she fears that the workers would leave the city in search of jobs.

“I just don't know how the residents can hold on,” she said.

Even on the construction of buildings that are identical to what they were identical, the legislators and agencies of the state and the district must work together to compensate for new environmental laws with historical structures and the spirit of Lahaina.

Uhero researchers say that lack of jobs is a great difficulty for Lahaina fire survivors.

While most (51%) have had stable temporary apartments in the past six months, they pay higher, while 59 percent earn less money than before and almost 24 percent less earn.

More than 20 percent of families fell into poverty, twice as high as Maui.

Housing researcher Trey Gordner said that many residents retain more than two jobs.

“You may have less hours with the kind of slow tourism recovery, maybe you have lost one of these jobs completely,” he said.

This makes the reconstruction of commercial properties decisive for the recovery of the island.

“There was, and there must be more to shine in the region to make sure that this recovery is made as soon as possible,” he said during a press conference about the report.

Researcher Daniela Bond-Smith said that many former visitor industries have found new industries.

“It will be interesting to see then as soon as the reconstruction has taken place to what extent people will switch to their earlier jobs again,” she said.

Schneider wants the government to see urgency.

“We have to rebuild. This has to be accelerated quickly to work together, ”she said.

Take a look at the full report here.

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