Youth in Maui Still Struggle Two Years After Wildfires

Photo: Reuters

Two years after the wildfires that devastated Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii in 2023, many young people are still having serious emotional and mental health problems. The damage from the fires—loss of homes, deaths, injuries, and changes in daily life—continues to affect students, especially when reminders like wind or the smell of smoke bring back memories.

What Happened in 2023

• In August 2023, wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina and nearby areas. Over 100 people died, many properties were destroyed, and many families lost everything.
• Schools were damaged or destroyed, and families were displaced. Many students moved homes, changed schools, or had to live in temporary housing.

How Students Are Feeling

A survey by the Hawaii Department of Education found that more than one-third of Maui students lost a family member, were injured, or had parents lose their jobs because of the fires.

Many students experience long-term feelings like sadness, anxiety, or grief. These feelings sometimes show up as depression or difficulty concentrating in class.

Some of the worst emotional stress comes when students are exposed to wind, smoke, or small fires—even years later. These remind them of the disaster and can trigger fear or panic.

Real Stories from Students

Mia Palacio, a senior in high school, said she felt like a part of her life was gone. Her home was destroyed, she moved schools, and felt lonely. It took nearly a year before she asked for help.

Another student, DayJahiah Valdivia, said she still feels nervous when there are strong winds or when she smells smoke. Her family’s home had been covered in soot and they couldn’t move back immediately, which added more stress.

Problems Getting Help

There is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals in Maui. Before the fires, there were more psychiatrists. After the fires, the number dropped from four to two for youth in Lahaina, even though many more young people need help.

• Long waiting times: Some students wait two to three months just to see a psychiatrist. Others use counseling via video calls because there is no one nearby.
• Housing cost and scarcity make it hard for mental health workers to move there or stay there. Many positions remain unfilled.
• Stigma: Some students or families are hesitant to talk about mental illness or ask for help because of shame or fear.

What Is Being Done to Help

School counselors are helping students to process their emotions. Activities like sharing feelings, talking about memories, and slowly re-engaging with school help some students.

Local groups are offering cultural, outdoor, or adventure-based programs. For example, the Maui Hero Project offers programs where youth do outdoor activities, learn disaster preparedness, and work with peers to heal together.

Peer support: Students are encouraged to help each other. Those who feel better sometimes become mentors for younger students.

Federal grants: The education department received funding to bring more part-time mental health providers and to help with transportation for students who are displaced. Some services are also available during evenings, especially for students living at school campuses.

Why It’s Still Hard

PTSD, anxiety, and depression can persist long after a disaster. While in the immediate aftermath, people often have energy or shock to push through, later years bring the harder challenges. Memories, reminders, and instability can drag on.

School life is disruptive: when homes are gone, students move. When schools are destroyed, students may attend in temporary buildings or other locations. This causes instability and makes learning harder.

• Financial stress: many families lost jobs, homes, or income. This adds stress at home, making emotional healing slower.
• Mental health system strain: With few specialists and increased demand, people who need help sometimes wait a long time or cannot find local help.

Why Students Are Especially Affected

• Young people develop emotionally and mentally during their school years. Traumatic events during this time can affect growth, learning, and behavior.
• When a student loses stability—home, school, friends—it can change how they see the world. They may feel unsafe or unsure about the future.
• Delays in getting help mean early loss of trust, which can make emotional wounds deeper.

Hope and Signs of Recovery

• Some students are making progress. Talking with counselors, joining peer groups, and helping others has helped them feel less alone.
• Community and cultural connection seem to help. Students say connecting with culture, favorite activities, or nature helps calm them down.
• Outdoor healing: the Maui Hero Project’s outdoor activities help kids focus on something positive, rebuild confidence, and reduce fear.
• Some schools now hire more counselors and mental health workers, including evening shifts to help students who cannot come during regular hours.

What Needs to Happen More

• More mental health professionals must be hired and retained so students don’t wait months for care.
• Stable housing and safe living conditions are needed. When families move a lot or live in temporary housing, healing is harder.
• Schools need ongoing support—both emotional and academic—to help students catch up in learning and feel safe in their environment.
• Reducing stigma so students and families feel safe asking for help without shame.

Two years after the Lahaina wildfires, many young people on Maui are still suffering emotionally. Losses of homes, family, schools, and stability are not just physical—they hit hearts and minds. Anxiety, grief, and PTSD remain real problems.

While some help has arrived—school counselors, peer programs, outdoor project healing—the need is still very large. More professionals, consistent support, and safe homes will help students heal.

Maui’s story shows that recovery after a disaster takes more than rebuilding buildings—it takes healing people too.