“Amid Criticism, Gov. Green Defends Plan to Shelter LA Fire Survivors in Hawai’i Hotels”

**Maui Residents Question Governor’s Offer to House California Fire Survivors Amid Local Housing Struggles**

**MAUI, Hawai’i (Island News)** – Governor Josh Green’s proposal to temporarily house California wildfire survivors in Hawai’i hotels has sparked criticism, particularly from Maui residents still grappling with housing challenges after the devastating Lahaina fires.

Frank Perry, a 71-year-old Lahaina fire survivor, expressed frustration over the governor’s plan. “That doesn’t make sense to me,” Perry said. Like many others who lost their homes in the Maui fires, Perry has faced significant hurdles in securing housing assistance. He revealed that he does not qualify for certain FEMA programs, leaving him and his family in a precarious situation.

While Perry acknowledged the need to assist California fire survivors, he emphasized that Maui residents are still in dire need of help more than a year after the tragedy. “Everybody’s saying, ‘Let’s help our kupuna,’ and we’re not getting help at all,” he said.

Governor Green defended his proposal, stating that the initiative would not interfere with ongoing efforts to provide permanent housing for Maui fire survivors. He highlighted the $1.6 billion in federal funding and a $4 billion settlement he plans to expedite as part of the recovery efforts. Green also clarified that housing displaced Californians would not incur costs for the state, as expenses would be covered by disaster insurance and FEMA.

The governor noted that approximately 20% of Hawai’i’s 25,000 hotel rooms are typically vacant. “If we can find a way to temporarily decompress the needs of LA or other places, it’s both good for those families and it’s probably good for the hotels too,” Green explained. He added, “I don’t think any Maui wildfire victims want to be back in hotels again. They want to be in permanent housing.”

Perry, a Lahaina native, initially hesitated to speak out but felt compelled to share his struggles. He currently lives with his wife and 93-year-old mother-in-law, who recently broke her hip and now uses a wheelchair. Their Kahului rental lacks a ramp, making it unsuitable for his mother-in-law, and the family cannot afford to find alternative housing or place her in a care facility.

“I didn’t want to make humbug because that’s just not how local people are,” Perry said. “But I said, ‘Well, it’s enough now.’ It’s time for me to say something, and I’m not the only one who’s going through this problem.”

When asked about Perry’s situation, FEMA responded, “We are continuing to work with this survivor to resolve the issue as much as possible and provide the maximum assistance available under FEMA policy.”

The debate over Governor Green’s proposal underscores the broader challenges of addressing housing needs for disaster survivors, both in Hawai’i and beyond. For many Maui residents like Perry, the road to recovery remains long and uncertain.

Source: kitv.com

Leave a Comment