By Yiming Fu, Report for America corps member
Mario Acosta moved to Maui in 2014 to work and support his children to go to school. He rented a house for $1,000 a month.
After the fires, Acosta was assigned to a 2-bedroom FEMA unit that cost $2,300 a month. He asked FEMA to adjust the rent because he has loans to pay off and his daughter is still in college. FEMA rejected the request.
On May 27, more than a dozen Filipino fire survivors gathered at the Lahaina Gateway Office of Recovery, sharing foods and talking about their recovery experiences.
Seeing little government action, the Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association is the first group of Lahaina Filipino fire survivors banding together after the fires to share knowledge and find solutions.
“We are having this organization to join our fellow Filipinos to know more,” survivor Mario Acosta said, “and to share our experience regarding the fire that broke out and the tragedy that changed our lives.”
The Filipino community makes up 40% of Lahaina’s population and often work multiple jobs in hotels and restaurants. But state and local governments fail to meet their needs, survivors said.
Housing challenges
Liberty Langaman moved to Maui in 2006.
“This is the place that I knew that I could improve my life for my family,” she said. “I worked two jobs since then, working hard until the fire happened.”
More than half of Langaman’s paycheck goes to her rent, which doubled after the fires. She also had to get a new car and new car insurance. A single mom, she often asks her daughter for $500 a month for bills.
Acosta said he was one of the lucky ones who was able to move out of his FEMA housing, finding a room for $1,200 a month. But for most, there are no places to rent or the prices are too high.
His friends and co-workers still share their struggles living in FEMA housing. The rents are too much, Acosta said, and they have to show proof they’re looking for a long-term place to live.
“Another added stress living in the FEMA program is when certifiers visit us once a month and they constantly ask us if we are actively looking for a permanent place to live,” Langaman said. “ We never stop looking. Of course if there’s a place that I can live, I would leave FEMA right away.”
After FEMA leaves in 2026, Acosta and Langaman are not sure what’s going to happen. They have not seen the government start long term affordable housing projects or rental assistance.
“When February 2026 comes around, we will sleep on the streets,” Langaman said.
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Dominguilio Topinio Jr. said the Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association wants long term housing solutions and rental assistance. Photo by Yiming Fu -
More than half of Liberty Langaman’s paycheck goes to housing. Photo by Yiming Fu -
Imelda Concepcion shared that she used to push her feelings down, but it feels better to talk about them. Photo by Yiming Fu
Grassroots solutions
Dominguilio Topinio Jr. left the Philippines for Hawaii in 2010. He stayed in his uncle’s across from Safeway until the fires.
Topinio Jr. said The Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association wants long term housing and rental assistance.
The organization aims to provide accurate and transparent information to their fellow fire survivors. They also hope everyone impacted by the fire will come together and share their experiences instead of struggling silently.
“I bring out my tears,” Acosta said. “I’m not ashamed.”
It’s no use staying quiet, Imelda Concepcion said.
After the Lahaina fires, she shoved her feelings down. While she was lucky her house survived, it suffered extreme damage and is still not fixed two years later. And she’s been scammed multiple times trying to fix her tile roof.
“When we talk to somebody and share our experiences at the time, I think we feel better.”
Tagnawa organizer and Lahaina fire survivor Cheryl Alcantara said the organization’s unity is inspiring.
For the first time in history, Lahaina has a powerful space for Filipino voices to be heard, Alcantara said, alongside organizations like Kaibigan ng Lahaina, Hawaii Workers’ Center and Tagnawa.
“It is the beginning of healing, empowerment and collective strength,” Alcantara said. “The way you are reaching out to other Filipino families, neighbors and friends, calling them into community, into family, is a testament to the deep values that have always been in the heart of our culture.”
Concepcion’s birthday is August 24, shortly after the anniversary of the August 8 fires. Instead of celebrating her birthday she gets her friends together to recognize the tragedy.
We call our friends, the ones that their houses burned down. We call them, we get together, and we pray.”
