12. Lessons Learned -- Lahaina, Maui, Two Years Later

When the winds roared and the lights went out, Maui turned to its oldest strength: each other. In this two-part episode, Maui County Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. and First Lady Isabella Kaʻihi Bissen take us back to August 2023—how the Kula Fire ignited, why Lahaina (Lāhainā) was cut off so quickly, and the neighbor-to-neighbor lifesaving that followed. We dig into the hard numbers and the hopeful ones: housing grants, new emergency tools, and a clear message for visitors—you are welcome here, please respect our home as we would yours, and your visit will help the island continue to recover. Then we pivot to small-business resilience with Gunars Valkirs of Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate and Brittany Heyd of Mana Up, exploring what it takes to keep doors open after a disaster. They’ll share lessons learned, such as the importance of diversifying sales, of being disaster-ready, and how keeping community first can help the bottom line. Culture, hula, and song tie it all together in this episode’s Wellness Lift, because in Maui, healing is shared.  Listen, learn, and act: embrace the culture that makes Hawaii so special, buy from local makers, and support the groups still doing the work.Resources:Maui Recovers – Official county hub for housing, grants, and recovery updatesMaui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate – Tours, tastings, and direct ordersMana Up – Accelerator and venture fund for Hawaiʻi brandsAfter the Fire – Wildfire recovery network for community leaders and survivorsDonate to help support #L.A. RisingProduced by NOVA