Reports
Recovery Through a Disability Lens: Impacts of the 2023 Maui Wildfires on Disability Equity and Shared Prosperity
The August 2023 Maui wildfires devastated homes, disrupted livelihoods, and reshaped entire communities. For many Maui residents with disabilities, life after the fires has been an uphill climb. This report draws on two large-scale surveys conducted between 2024 and 2025 to document how the disaster and its aftermath have affected disabled people in Lahaina.
Read MoreEconomic Impact of the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services on the State of Hawai‘i in Fiscal Year 2024
The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) provides essential wastewater and solid waste services for the City and County of Honolulu, and its operations and capital investments contribute significantly to the local economy. This analysis estimates the economic impact of ENV’s fiscal year 2024 expenditures using the Hawai‘i State Input-Output multipliers published by the Department of […]
Read MoreEnduring Impacts of the November 2021 Red Hill Fuel Spill: Health, Social, Economic, and Trust Implications
This report presents findings from a follow-up survey conducted in July 2023—about 20 months after the Red Hill water contamination—with 174 people who had participated in earlier CDC/ATSDR studies. The study examines how the disaster affected participants’ health, daily life, finances, and trust in government agencies. Results indicate ongoing challenges, including physical and mental health […]
Read MoreSupporting thriving water futures through education and career pathways: perspectives from the Hawai‘i water sector
In this report, we share insights from representatives from the freshwater sector on how the University of Hawai‘i can best support a thriving water future for Hawai‘i through strengthening educational and career pathways. This research is a multi-department collaboration including the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization, the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, University of […]
Read MoreEconomic Benefits and Costs of Biological Control: Coffee Berry Borer, Erythrina Gall Wasp, and Fireweed in Hawai‘i
This report evaluates the economic costs and benefits associated with biological control efforts targeting three invasive species in Hawai‘i: coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei), erythrina gall wasp (EGW, Quadrastichus erythrinae), and fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis). Utilizing historical data, expert interviews, and cost-benefit analyses, the study quantifies potential economic impacts and returns on investment (ROI) for […]
Read MoreTourism in Hawai‘i: Industry Views and Stakeholder Comparisons
Tourism in Hawai‘i shapes the state’s economy, communities, and environment in ways that affect nearly every resident. While resident and visitor views are regularly measured through long-running Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) surveys, the perspectives of those who operate and invest in the industry are less visible, with the exception of a few regularly cited consultants […]
Read MoreProgress and Vulnerability Two Years After the Wildfires: A Data-Driven Update from the Maui Recovery Survey
Two years after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, thousands of fire-affected people continue to navigate a long and complex path to recovery. While many are still facing hardship — including displacement, financial uncertainty, and unmet needs — others have regained stability in many aspects of their lives. This report presents findings from the Maui Recovery […]
Read MoreFrom Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires
Nearly two years after the August 2023 wildfires, many people in Maui are still living with the emotional, physical, and social effects of the disaster. The flames are gone, but their impact remains. Launched in January 2024, the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study (MauiWES)—the largest post-disaster health cohort in Hawai‘i’s history—is now following 2,000 adults and […]
Read MorePublic Health Report: Hawai‘i’s Health and Wellbeing Journey Over Time — Monitoring Equity and Access
The UHERO Rapid Health Survey is a statewide longitudinal study offering one of the most comprehensive real-time assessments of health equity in Hawai‘i. Launched in 2022, the survey has completed four major waves, with the most recent concluding in December 2024. It tracks over 2,000 adults and provides disaggregated data on physical and mental health, […]
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