Background on the Lahaina recovery

The Lahaina wildfire, which started on August 8, 2023, devastated the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Maui’s coast, claiming over 100 lives and destroying more than 2,000 structures. As one of the deadliest wildfires in recent U.S. history, it left the community grappling with immense loss and facing significant challenges in recovery.

The fire exacerbated pre-existing issues like housing shortages and economic dependence on tourism while also highlighting the region's vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Many residents have been displaced, with some considering leaving Maui altogether due to financial struggles. The disaster has also raised concerns about how to preserve Lahaina's rich cultural heritage during the rebuilding process.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Nearly all residential properties have been cleared of debris, and rebuilding efforts are beginning, albeit slowly. The community is actively involved in discussions about Lahaina's future, with a focus on honoring its cultural history and improving resilience against future disasters.

As residents marked the one-year anniversary of the fire, they expressed mixed emotions of grief, uncertainty, and hope for a revitalized Lahaina, though they acknowledged that the recovery process would likely take several years.

Strong segments about the Lahaina wildfire anniversary

While coverage of the Lahaina wildfire anniversary was not extensive, a few broadcast and cable news shows produced compelling segments reporting on key aspects of the recovery process, including in-depth looks at the community's progress and ongoing challenges.

On August 8, CBS Mornings examined Lahaina's recovery one year after the wildfire. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti highlighted community resilience while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The report covered debris clearing progress, rebuilding hurdles, and survivors' emotional toll. It also addressed climate change's role in the disaster and discussed possible adaptations like restoring wetlands and rethinking water usage for tourism.

On ABC, Good Morning America's August 8 coverage featured correspondent and Maui native Becky Worley, who offered a personal perspective on the recovery. Her report included an aerial survey of rebuilding efforts, interviews with local officials and residents, and details about the recent $4 billion settlement to aid recovery.

CNN Newsroom Live interviewed Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee on August 10. Lee discussed immediate recovery needs and long-term resilience efforts, including improved emergency coordination, upgraded firefighting equipment, and strengthened land management practices.

National TV news can do recovery stories well

When national TV news outlets commit resources and time, they can produce strong post-disaster coverage segments. For example, NBC Nightly News aired a segment in November 2023 examining the recovery in Paradise, California, five years after the devastating 2018 Camp Fire. The reporting highlighted the town's rebuilding efforts, including new fire safety measures and the return of about a third of the original population, while also noting how Paradise is sharing its recovery lessons with other disaster-stricken communities like Lahaina, Hawaii.

Similarly, CBS Evening News aired a segment in June 2024 exploring Paradise's ongoing recovery, nearly six years after the disaster. This coverage also emphasized the town's rebuilding efforts, including the introduction of fire-resistant measures, while acknowledging that the population remains at only a third of its pre-fire level.

In September 2021, CBS Mornings aired a segment examining the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, focusing on the hard-hit communities of Jean Lafitte and Barataria. The segment highlighted the challenges faced by residents, including flooding, infrastructure damage, and prolonged power outages, while also emphasizing the resilience and mutual support among community members as they coped with the disaster's impact.

CBS' coverage of Hurricane Maria's aftermath in Puerto Rico was notable for its consistency. Reporter David Begnaud made multiple return visits over the years, covering both the progress and setbacks in rebuilding infrastructure, as well as the government's response. A September 2022 segment, marking the hurricane's fifth anniversary, highlighted Puerto Rico's ongoing power issues, illustrating recovery's long-term nature.

The need for consistent improvement and how to achieve it

While the examples above demonstrate the potential for strong post-disaster coverage, this level of reporting needs to become the norm rather than the exception. These segments provided comprehensive updates on various disaster-stricken areas, balancing stories of personal loss with signs of progress and hope for the future. However, such in-depth, long-term coverage remains rare. To enhance post-disaster reporting, national TV news networks should consistently implement several key strategies:

• Commit to long-term follow-up by regularly returning to affected areas over months and years. This sustained presence allows for a more comprehensive coverage of the recovery process and helps hold authorities accountable for their promises.

• Build local partnerships by collaborating with local journalists and community organizations. This provides deeper insights and helps maintain a connection to the community, allowing national news outlets to highlight ongoing needs as they evolve over time.

• Provide historical context by exploring how past decisions and current policies affect recovery efforts. This approach helps viewers understand the complex factors influencing the recovery process and explore potential solutions to systemic vulnerabilities.

• Highlight community resilience by showcasing local problem-solving and grassroots recovery efforts. Stories of community strength offer a more complete picture of recovery and build public understanding of long-term disaster impacts.

• Amplify diverse voices by focusing on the stories of those most affected. This ensures a more inclusive and representative portrayal of the disaster's impact.

As climate-driven disasters become more frequent and severe, improving post-disaster coverage is not only a journalistic imperative but a necessary public service. By implementing these suggestions, news organizations can provide more comprehensive, impactful reporting that informs the public, supports affected communities, and drives meaningful policy discussions about climate resilience and disaster preparedness.