Aerial view of wildfire damage across Lahaina, Maui

Federal Recovery / Lahaina, Maui / FEMA-4724-DR-HI

FEMA and the Rebuilding of Lahaina

On August 8, 2023, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century destroyed Lahaina. Today, a coordinated federal, state, and county effort is rebuilding it, and XTRATA's SABS Building System is part of that rebuild.

2,200+Structures destroyed
~12,000Residents displaced
100+Lives lost
$5.5B+Estimated damages

Disaster Overview

August 8, 2023: the fire that erased a town

Driven by hurricane-force winds, the wildfire moved through Lahaina in hours. President Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration, activating FEMA as the lead federal coordinating agency for one of the largest rebuilding initiatives in Hawaii's history.

Coast Guard aerial view of burned Lahaina waterfront
Lahaina's waterfront after the fire
Burned home and buildings in Lahaina
Residential blocks reduced to ash and slab
Civil Air Patrol aerial overview of Lahaina burn zone
The burn footprint from above

The Federal Framework

FEMA does not build the homes. FEMA makes rebuilding possible.

FEMA provides the funding, housing, infrastructure restoration, and technical framework within which Lahaina homes are rebuilt in partnership with Hawaii, Maui County, property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, and permitting agencies.

01Disaster Response

Emergency coordination with Hawaii, Maui County, USACE, HUD, SBA, the Red Cross, and local agencies.

  • Search and rescue
  • Emergency shelters
  • Survivor assistance centers
  • Debris removal coordination

02Temporary Housing

One of FEMA's largest ongoing missions on Maui: keeping families housed while permanent homes move through design, permits, and construction.

  • Direct lease support
  • Rental assistance
  • Modular temporary housing
  • Private-site temporary homes

03Individual Assistance

Direct financial help to eligible survivors, intended to support recovery rather than fully fund reconstruction.

  • Home repair support
  • Personal property losses
  • Medical and funeral needs
  • Accessibility modifications

04Public Assistance

Funding to Maui County and the State of Hawaii to restore the public systems that residential rebuilding depends on.

  • Roads and utilities
  • Water and sewer systems
  • Public buildings
  • Emergency costs

05Hazard Mitigation

Programs that encourage and fund rebuilding that is more resilient than what stood before the disaster.

  • Wildfire-resistant construction
  • Utility hardening
  • Evacuation route improvements
  • Defensible space planning

06Technical Guidance

Published guidance for architects, engineers, contractors, and building officials on rebuilding safer.

  • Fire-resistant materials
  • Building envelope guidance
  • Wildfire recovery advisories
  • Code recommendations

FEMA In Action

The federal response, on the ground

FEMA's official recovery footage documents debris removal, temporary housing, survivor support, and the missions that cleared the way for reconstruction.

FEMA debris missionLahaina Debris Removal: Clearing the Path for RecoveryFEMA mission-assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear residential and commercial debris so rebuilding permits could begin moving.Kilohana group housingA Family Takes Steps Toward RecoveryA survivor family moves into FEMA's Kilohana Group Housing site, part of the temporary housing mission in West Maui.Temporary housingFEMA Opens Temporary Housing in LahainaCoverage of temporary homes supporting displaced survivors while permanent housing is designed, permitted, and built.

Long-Term Federal Recovery

Housing today, reconstruction tomorrow

FEMA's temporary housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors has been extended through February 28, 2027, recognizing that permanent rebuilding takes years, not months.

  • FEMA individual assistance, direct housing, infrastructure, and mitigation
  • HUD CDBG-DR funding for long-term housing and community redevelopment
  • SBA disaster loans for homeowners and businesses
  • Maui County reconstruction support for eligible homeowners
Drone aerial view of Lahaina rebuilding Watch rebuilding footage

The Gatekeepers of the Rebuild

The Recovery Permit Center and 4LEAF, Inc.

Maui County established a specialized Recovery Permit Center to streamline rebuilding review for properties destroyed in the wildfire. 4LEAF manages many of the technical permitting and inspection functions on behalf of the County.

  • Building permit intake and processing
  • Plan review and building code compliance
  • Structural review coordination
  • Construction and final inspections
  • Occupancy verification

From Plans to Occupancy

The residential rebuilding process, step by step

1

Architectural design

2

Structural engineering

3

Submittal to the Recovery Permit Center

4

4LEAF plan review

5

Building permit issued

6

Construction begins

7

Inspections throughout construction

8

Final approval

9

Certificate of Occupancy

Where the Rebuild Stands / July 2026

The permitting engine is working and accelerating

Families are moving from permits to construction to Certificates of Occupancy across Lahaina and Kula.

572Rebuilding permits issued
310Homes under construction
234Homes completed
349Permits in processing

SABS in Lahaina

A noncombustible building system moving through the same recovery path

System

SABS uses structural composite panels designed for durable, resilient residential construction.

Fire resistance

The assembly focuses on noncombustible materials and a hardened envelope for wildfire recovery contexts.

Permitting

SABS projects are reviewed by Maui County and 4LEAF for code compliance like every other home.

Outcome

The goal is simple: help families return to permanent homes with a stronger building approach.