Three years after the 2023 wildfires, Maui residents face a new challenge as the initial surge of community support fades. New data from the University of Hawai‘i shows that social support levels among survivors dropped from 62% in 2024 to 54% in 2025. Researchers warn that this recovery fatigue places individuals at significantly higher risk for severe anxiety and depression.
While more survivors have secured jobs and housing compared to previous years, basic stability remains elusive for many. Nearly one in four participants reported frequent lack of access to food, and one in five lack stable housing. These gaps in physical security correlate directly with higher rates of post-traumatic stress and physical health issues. The findings illustrate that an individual's ability to heal is linked to consistent access to resources.
Children in the study face mixed outcomes. While general anxiety reports decreased, researchers identified concerning upticks in severe depression and PTSD among youth participants. Experts noted that children often lack the vocabulary to express their trauma and their wellbeing relies heavily on the stability of the adults around them.
Lawmakers recently declined to fund the ongoing Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, but the team has secured alternative support from the National Institutes of Health. This funding allows the research to continue for three more years, though team members emphasize the need for a more permanent, coordinated system that links medical care with food and housing assistance.
As the disaster fades from public view, the problems become more complex and individual. Researchers are now working to establish an on-island clinic to provide direct care and better connect families with necessary services. The study highlights that even the most resilient communities require sustained investment to recover from long-term displacement.