Researchers face funding shortfall while tracking wildfire health impacts

University of Hawaiʻi professors Ruben Juarez and Alika Maunakea led the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study to track the health impacts of the 2023 wildfires on survivors in Lahaina, Hawaiʻi.

The study monitors participants through blood tests, lung function assessments, and mental health screenings to identify environmental exposures and personal trauma. Beyond data collection, the researchers coordinate a network of community organizations to provide participants with therapy, food assistance, and cash support.

The project has served 2,500 participants over three years, offering medical interventions that have saved lives. For example, the team identified a participant with dangerously low hemoglobin and another with a serious lung infection, helping them secure necessary medical care and private insurance. The study also identifies children showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and connects families with local therapists and support groups. Despite its success, the study faces a critical funding crisis.

State funding fell through recently, and federal grant applications have remained unanswered for months. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health also criticized the study's methodology, leading to a public disagreement with the university. While the researchers are currently struggling to secure the resources needed to continue their work, they remain committed to providing health services to the local community.