Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s (UHERO) recent report, *From Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires.* This report presents important data on mental health, housing instability, and healthcare access in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires. However, it also raises significant concerns about data interpretation, methodological limitations, and potential biases that warrant careful scrutiny before shaping public policy.
**Summary of Key Points:**
* The report highlights ongoing mental health challenges, including elevated rates of depression and anxiety among adults and youth, along with housing insecurity and barriers to healthcare access, particularly in rural and Hispanic/Latino communities.
* Despite these critical issues, several findings appear overstated due to lack of pre-fire baseline data, absence of national comparisons, and sample bias stemming from voluntary participation that may overrepresent those already experiencing health problems.
* The implication of direct causation between wildfire exposure and chronic health conditions such as hypertension and lung impairment lacks adequate control for confounding variables like age, socioeconomic factors, and pre-existing illnesses.
* The study’s funding sources include healthcare organizations that may have financial interests in framing wildfire recovery as an extended medical crisis, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation of recommendations.
**Recommendations for Committee Consideration:**
1. **Prioritize Targeted, Evidence-Based Interventions:** Focus resources on culturally appropriate, school-based mental health programs and address housing stability as a fundamental public health priority.
2. **Ensure Transparency and Rigor:** Request an independent epidemiological review with clear baseline and national comparison data to validate the findings before allocating significant public funds.
3. **Address Disparities with Precision:** Direct outreach and services to underserved populations disproportionately impacted, including rural residents and minority communities.
4. **Avoid Overmedicalization:** Be vigilant against policies driven by institutional interests promoting expanded medical services without robust evidence of long-term wildfire-related health crises.
**Conclusion:**
The UHERO report offers valuable preliminary insights but should not serve as the sole foundation for major policy decisions. I encourage this committee to adopt a cautious, data-driven approach that emphasizes transparency, community-specific needs, and sustainable recovery. By doing so, we can ensure that Maui’s healing honors both the truth and the wellbeing of all its residents.
Honorable Committee Members,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s (UHERO) recent report, *From Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires.* This report presents important data on mental health, housing instability, and healthcare access in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires. However, it also raises significant concerns about data interpretation, methodological limitations, and potential biases that warrant careful scrutiny before shaping public policy.
**Summary of Key Points:**
* The report highlights ongoing mental health challenges, including elevated rates of depression and anxiety among adults and youth, along with housing insecurity and barriers to healthcare access, particularly in rural and Hispanic/Latino communities.
* Despite these critical issues, several findings appear overstated due to lack of pre-fire baseline data, absence of national comparisons, and sample bias stemming from voluntary participation that may overrepresent those already experiencing health problems.
* The implication of direct causation between wildfire exposure and chronic health conditions such as hypertension and lung impairment lacks adequate control for confounding variables like age, socioeconomic factors, and pre-existing illnesses.
* The study’s funding sources include healthcare organizations that may have financial interests in framing wildfire recovery as an extended medical crisis, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation of recommendations.
**Recommendations for Committee Consideration:**
1. **Prioritize Targeted, Evidence-Based Interventions:** Focus resources on culturally appropriate, school-based mental health programs and address housing stability as a fundamental public health priority.
2. **Ensure Transparency and Rigor:** Request an independent epidemiological review with clear baseline and national comparison data to validate the findings before allocating significant public funds.
3. **Address Disparities with Precision:** Direct outreach and services to underserved populations disproportionately impacted, including rural residents and minority communities.
4. **Avoid Overmedicalization:** Be vigilant against policies driven by institutional interests promoting expanded medical services without robust evidence of long-term wildfire-related health crises.
**Conclusion:**
The UHERO report offers valuable preliminary insights but should not serve as the sole foundation for major policy decisions. I encourage this committee to adopt a cautious, data-driven approach that emphasizes transparency, community-specific needs, and sustainable recovery. By doing so, we can ensure that Maui’s healing honors both the truth and the wellbeing of all its residents.
Mahalo for your thoughtful consideration.
Written testimony attached.
Edward Codelia