Maui Seeks to Mitigate Future Wildfire Damage Through Property Buyback Program

The smoke has long cleared from the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire, but the path to a full recovery remains uncertain and far from complete. Thankfully, Maui County is taking a proactive approach to mitigating wildfire damage through public policy measures. One such measure is a property buyback program. The program would allow qualifying landowners to sell their property directly to the County.

Here’s a brief overview of the program and how the public has reacted to Maui’s new initiative.

Background 

The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire destroyed over 2,170 acres of land. An estimated 2,200 structures, including homes and apartments, tragically burned to the ground. Even though much of the debris has been cleared, a complete recovery is still far in the distance. Thankfully, federal disaster aid programs have strongly supported Maui’s recovery efforts.

Voluntary Buyback Program

Part of Maui’s rebuilding initiative includes a voluntary property buyback program. Under the program, properties sold to Maui would be cleared and converted into public or protective uses. The program was designed to reduce exposure to future wildfires, prevent unsafe rebuilding in high-risk areas, and allow Maui to control post-fire land use in sensitive coastal zones. To finance the program, $50 million was reallocated from federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) hazard-mitigation funds.

No Eminent Domain 

What makes this program noteworthy is that Maui is not relying on eminent domain to take private property. Had eminent domain been used, landowners in the area would’ve been forced to hand over their property in exchange for just compensation. Maui likely could have satisfied the constitutional requirements of eminent domain, but instead it opted for a voluntary buyback program giving property owners the right, not the obligation, to sell.

There are a few reasons why Maui may not have used eminent domain. For one, federal hazard-mitigation programs usually discourage or bar eminent domain except in extreme circumstances. Aside from that, eminent domain litigation can take several years, and legal costs can rise fast. In addition, there are cultural and historical considerations. Since Lahaina contains historic districts with strong emotional attachment, using eminent domain could be perceived as government overreach. Ultimately, the County found that a voluntary program was sufficient.

Reform or Misdiagnosis?

Opinions on the buyout program are mixed. Supporters have praised it as a step in the right direction, but critics have expressed various concerns. Some believe that the plan misdiagnoses the core threat to Lahaina. They emphasize that wildfire from dry, unmanaged hillsides caused the destruction, not rising seas, and that acquiring these properties will not prevent future wildfires from spreading. On the other hand, proponents believe that the program is a superior alternative to rebuilding, as structures in the affected region must constantly fight various hazards. They also praise the voluntary nature of the program and that it side steps the need for taxpayer-funded disaster bailouts.

Conclusion

Maui County hasn’t formally set a start date for the buyback program, but some reports suggest it will begin summer 2026 at the earliest. According to officials, the program cannot start until a revised CDBG‑DR Action Plan is approved. We hope that it provides Lahaina with an efficient and culturally respectful means of protection from future wildfire damage.

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