Maui, a picturesque island paradise in Hawaii, has been struck by one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. Wildfires ravaged vast areas, including the historic town of Lahaina, leaving families and communities grappling with loss and destruction. However, amidst the devastation, a new battle is unfolding—one over the very land that survivors are struggling to rebuild upon.
In the immediate aftermath of the fires, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, sparked outrage when he suggested that the state might take control of the affected lands to use them for workforce housing or as memorial sites. This proposal, made while the body count was still rising and people were reeling from the trauma, was seen as callous by many. As survivors sought solace and support, the idea of their ancestral lands being seized by the state was met with shock and disbelief.
But it wasn’t just the government eyeing the land. Wealthy real estate investors and celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, have also shown interest in acquiring property on the island. Winfrey, who has long owned land in Maui, recently added to her portfolio, purchasing 870 acres for a staggering $6.6 million. This, on top of the 100 acres she already owns, raised alarm among local residents, who feared that such acquisitions could contribute to the displacement of native Hawaiians.
In a passionate discussion on The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan and former U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who represented Hawaii’s second district, shed light on the troubling developments. Rogan, a staunch advocate for individual rights, expressed his outrage over the state and elites trying to snatch land from the people of Maui during their most vulnerable moments. He called for solidarity with the residents of Lahaina, declaring that their land was not for sale.
Tulsi Gabbard echoed Rogan’s sentiments, sharing her frustrations with the inadequate response to the tragedy. Despite the severity of the disaster, Hawaii’s residents received a meager $700 aid payment from the federal government, which Gabbard called a “slap in the face.” She further criticized the slow pace of the official disaster response and pointed to the need for local communities to rely on each other for support as a direct result of the lack of effective government intervention.
As if the tragedy wasn’t enough, many Maui residents, whose homes were reduced to ashes, have received unsolicited offers from off-island real estate investors. These investors, seeing an opportunity to profit from the disaster, have made aggressive bids to buy up fire-ravaged land, often at a fraction of its value. Some of these offers were so blatant and opportunistic that they were widely labeled as predatory.
For example, local resident Goldeen Low shared that she received multiple unsolicited offers to buy her home—even though it wasn’t near the fire zone. These investors, some from as far away as Texas, seemed to be completely indifferent to the emotional and financial toll the fires had taken on the community. This prompted local authorities and activists to step in and issue warnings about the dangers of such shady real estate dealings.
Amid these challenges, a fierce resistance is growing. Troy Andrade, a law professor and advocate for Maui residents, is leading efforts to educate and protect locals from exploitative real estate schemes. His work, alongside efforts from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, has been vital in raising awareness and helping to shield vulnerable families from making rushed decisions that could harm them in the long run.
In addition to these efforts, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, has enacted laws to make it illegal for outsiders to pressure locals into selling their land. Despite this, some critics believe the state itself is part of the problem, with the government’s push for land acquisition still looming large.
A Call for Unity
Joe Rogan, alongside local activists and residents, has called for unity to protect Maui’s land and its people. The message is clear: Maui belongs to its people, and they are not going to let it be taken from them by government officials or wealthy elites. The situation has sparked widespread discussion about land rights, the role of the government, and the ethics of real estate investments in areas ravaged by tragedy.
The residents of Lahaina and other affected communities are standing tall, determined to protect their homes, heritage, and way of life. They are united in their fight against forces that seek to capitalize on their pain, making it clear that they will not allow their lands to be taken by anyone—whether for profit or political gain.
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