By: Yiming Fu
This is the first in a series by AsAmNews of stories examining the rebuilding of homes and businesses in Lahaina as residents mark the third anniversary of the massive 2023 wildfire that devastated the historic community.
“Our Lahaina slow return: 3 years later project simply would not have
been possible without the support of Report for America and
Investigative Editing Corps. The IEC team — from experienced editors to a dedicated data journalist and data‑visualization specialist — provided expertise far beyond the capacity of our small newsroom.The collaboration also proved invaluable for our reporter, Yiming Fu, who gained hands‑on experience in investigative and data‑driven journalism. The skills he developed through this project will continue to shape and strengthen his career as he moves forward.”
-Randall Yip
Founder & Executive Editor | AsAmNews
Editor: Dianna Hunt
Dianna Hunt is the deputy director of Investigative Editing Corps. She is a longtime investigative reporter and editor who directed and edited the Pulitzer Prize-finalist breaking news coverage of Hurricane Harvey while metro editor of the Houston Chronicle. She has also worked for The Dallas Morning News, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and other publications. Most recently, she served as national editor at ICT, formerly Indian Country Today. She served three terms on the board of Investigative Reporters and Editors and is currently on the board of the Fund for Investigative Journalism. She is now a contributing editor for ICT and for Public Health Watch.
Top image: Recovery has been slow but steady from the massive wildfires that swept through Lahaina on the island of Maui on Aug. 8, 2023. About 25 percent of the homes had been rebuilt as of July 15, 2026, and work continues, according to an analysis by AsAmNews of Maui County’s building permits. Photo illustration by Bailey Franzen with photos by Matthew Thayer/Special to AsAmNews