Officials in Hawaii are sounding the alarm, cautioning residents about the predatory actions of opportunistic investors who are seeking to exploit the aftermath of the fire disaster on Maui in order to seize properties.

Governor Josh Green has alerted the public to instances where individuals are approaching residents, posing as real estate agents, and attempting to persuade them to sell their fire-damaged homes or land parcels.

He emphasized that these individuals may have nefarious motives and issued a stern warning directed at potential scammers.

“You would be pretty poorly informed if you try to steal land from our people and then build here,” Green said in a press release Monday.

He further stressed the consequences of such actions, The Messenger reported.

In a TikTok video, a frustrated woman conveyed her concerns, revealing that realtors and investors have been making unsolicited offers to multiple families she is acquainted with, in an apparent effort to purchase their land.

“How dare you do that to our community right now,” she said. “Shame on you. Shame on you.”

The fires have resulted in the destruction of over 2,000 properties.

Governor Green emphasized that the process of rebuilding new housing to replace the burned properties is anticipated to be significantly protracted.

Christopher Greene, a developer from the area, expressed apprehensions regarding the fires potentially displacing local residents from their community.

Written by staff