Lahaina's future with rebuilding challenges.

bobcat

bobcat

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Calif
Having been through a major fire in my area seven years ago, I am familiar with some of the challenges. People generally underestimate how long it takes to get back to "normal". In the case of Lahaina, they depend a great deal on tourist dollars for revenue, and that's likely to shift to another island or a different part of Maui. Investors may try to swoop in and buy up land for investment, but again, it will take quite some time before the scar of the fire is erased (Perhaps 20 years or more).

The hometown I grew up in burned to the ground 2 years ago, and I visited there a couple months ago, and I couldn't even find my way around. If you've seen how it changes the landscape, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Anyway , just wondering what will happen in Lahaina. Many of the locals may decide to stay because it's home, but if they had a local business, and re-opened it from insurance money, would the trade be there to support it? Those are very real gambles. The option is to take the insurance money and move on.
 

A lot of thought should go into any rebuild. Not being familiar with that locality I may be talking through my hat but in any rebuild thought should be given to vulnerability to impending effects of global warming. Perhaps relocate the village to higher ground? Crisis can sometimes offer opportunities that would otherwise never be possible.
 

Warrigal said:
A lot of thought should go into any rebuild. Not being familiar with that locality I may be talking through my hat but in any rebuild thought should be given to vulnerability to impending effects of global warming. Perhaps relocate the village to higher ground? Crisis can sometimes offer opportunities that would otherwise never be possible.
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Yes. It can be a real challenge, because not only have building codes changed requiring sprinklers, etc..., but insurance companies don't want any vegetation near the new structure unless it is just tiny plants, to avoid catastrophes such as what happened. If it's a resort you are rebuilding, that looks rather barren, but the insurance companies don't care. All they care about is possible loss.
 
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