Rebuilding Safely: Guarding Against Fraud, presentation from Aug. 12, 2026 Lahaina Community Meeting

This County of Maui community meeting held on August 12, 2026, focused on educating residents about protecting themselves from fraud during the rebuilding process following recent disasters. County officials, including law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys, discussed ongoing investigations into fraudulent contractor activities and provided practical advice to residents on how to avoid scams. Key procurement-related guidance included recommendations to hire licensed contractors, avoid excessive down payments (no more than 10-20%), obtain multiple bids (at least three), insist on detailed written contracts with payment tied to project milestones, and verify contractor licenses and insurance through official channels. The meeting also highlighted common fraudulent tactics such as unlicensed contractors, excessive upfront payments, price gouging through change orders, and contractors abandoning projects. Residents were encouraged to document all communications and transactions and to report suspected fraud to the Maui Police Department and the prosecuting attorney's office. The county emphasized its commitment to investigating fraud cases and supporting victims throughout the rebuilding process.