LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2) — After 13 months of work, FEMA completed the construction of 167 temporary homes for Lahaina fire survivors on a hillside where no housing existed a few months ago.
The final home at the Kilohana group housing site, which was developed by FEMA, was completed earlier this week and is ready for occupancy.
“It couldn’t have been done without everyone working together, being creative and solving problems,” said Forrest Lanning, FEMA’s joint housing task force leader. “This was a completely new type of housing project for FEMA, and we all had to be flexible to learn new things and get it done.”
The housing project began on Oct. 28, 2023, when FEMA brought in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare a state-owned site spanning 34 acres for the housing so survivors could move back to Lahaina.
FEMA enlisted the help of three companies, Dynamic, Timberline and Acuity to manufacture one, two and three bedroom units on the mainland, and ship them to Maui.
The first of the units arrived on Oct. 26, 2024, where they were completed and put into place at Kilohana.
The first occupants moved into available units on Nov. 22, 2024, while the remaining units were awaiting completion. Each unit is equipped with furnishings as well, with occupants who require accommodation also being provided with necessary equipment.
The modular homes were constructed to last at least 30 years.