Maui County hires investigator to combat wildfire contractor fraud

Maui County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that it will hire a dedicated fraud investigator to probe contractor scams tied to the 2023 wildfire recovery effort. The position, funded by a $250,000 grant from the state’s Office of Emergency Management, will focus on identifying false invoices, inflated repair costs and unlicensed work submitted to the federal and state disaster assistance programs.

The move comes after months of mounting complaints from homeowners and community groups who say they have been overcharged or billed for work that was never performed. The wildfires that ravaged Lahaina, Kaanapali and surrounding areas in August 2023 left more than 2,000 structures damaged and triggered billions of dollars in federal aid. With thousands of contractors rushing to claim work, officials say the sheer volume created opportunities for fraud, prompting a statewide review of disaster‑relief contracts.

Maui Prosecutor Hana Lee, who leads the office’s special victims unit, said the new investigator will work closely with the Department of the Attorney General’s Fraud Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Inspector General. “We have a responsibility to protect Maui residents from exploitation while they rebuild their lives,” Lee said. Preliminary data from the state’s audit team shows that roughly $12 million in claims have been flagged for possible irregularities, though the exact amount of fraudulent payouts remains unknown. The investigator will also coordinate with local building inspectors to verify that work cited in claims matches on‑site inspections.

The hiring process is expected to be completed within the next two weeks, after which the investigator will begin reviewing contracts awarded since the fires. Authorities hope the added oversight will deter future scams and recover any misappropriated funds before the next round of aid is distributed. Community leaders have welcomed the step, urging swift action to ensure that rebuilding funds reach the homeowners who truly need them.