https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/west/hawaii-wildfires/hawaii-residents-fires-housing/

It’s been more than three months since the deadly Hawaii wildfires swept through Lahaina, and there’s “almost no chance” of impacted residents being able to move back into their homes, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told “The Hill on NewsNation.”
Green said 3,700 homes were destroyed, and only a few houses survived the fires that rapidly spread Aug. 8. In the aftermath, Hawaii faces a unique issue in its response. The governor explained there were 561 impacted families that both owned and lived on their properties — everyone else was renting.
“We’re in discussions to get a large number of the short-term rentals converted to long-term rentals. And my hope is that we will also construct over 1,000 small units like alternative dwelling units to help house people long-term,” Green said. “We have to build housing because no matter what, we’re short on inventory.”

"Green said 3,700 homes were destroyed, and only a few houses survived the fires that rapidly spread Aug. 8. In the aftermath, Hawaii faces a unique issue in its response. The governor explained there were 561 impacted families that both owned and lived on their properties — everyone else was renting."
Being a "landlord", and now free from BS Hawaii laws that allow tenants to cheat me, at their whim,
last thing I would do is go back to that.

I hope they don't all sell out to big real estate companies. Even if they cannot rebuild anytime soon, I hope those families keep the land.

I can see that they could justify blocking development for some period of time but they can't close it from owners forever. I hope they sue if the government tries to do that.

"Green said 3,700 homes were destroyed, and only a few houses survived the fires that rapidly spread Aug. 8. In the aftermath, Hawaii faces a unique issue in its response. The governor explained there were 561 impacted families that both owned and lived on their properties — everyone else was renting."
Being a "landlord", and now free from BS Hawaii laws that allow tenants to cheat me, at their whim,
last thing I would do is go back to that.

Rental property "cheating" goes both ways.  Apparently in Hawaii, it's "expected" that your security deposit will be kept by the landlord/property manager whether or not there are sufficient "damages" to warrant it.

We stayed in the same rental house in Mililani the first 9 years here.  Rents were falling as the housing market was going down, too.

The 3 BR, 2 BA, with large living room and family room were all carpeted.  After 9 years, you'd expect 9 years of normal wear and tear.  The property manager tried to keep our $1,800 deposit because they "needed to replace the carpet."  After I had it cleaned professionally and then did it myself 3 more times, each time he was adamant that it needed replacing.

I had also painted the bedrooms where the kids had some "artwork" on them.  The manager was 100% amazed when he returned to inspect saying he didn't think the markings would come off or be covered.  Apparently he's never heard of Killz Primer.  My friend and I painted 3 bedrooms, the living room and the family room in one evening -- a very late evening, but still.

The day I turned over the keys, i told him, "If you keep $1 of my deposit, I want a receipt or work order showing what it cost for the carpet replacement."

You know what he said?  "Oh, I talked to the owners, and they aren't planning to replace it." 

Obviously it was still in good enough shape for the next renters!  Grrrrrrrrrr! 

It is SOP to keep the deposit in some areas here, so I was probably making waves by not letting them get away with it.  In the end, they proved they were just trying to cheat me out of my deposit.

Rental property "cheating" goes both ways.  Apparently in Hawaii, it's "expected" that your security deposit will be kept by the landlord/property manager whether or not there are sufficient "damages" to warrant it.

We stayed in the same rental house in Mililani the first 9 years here.  Rents were falling as the housing market was going down, too.

The 3 BR, 2 BA, with large living room and family room were all carpeted.  After 9 years, you'd expect 9 years of normal wear and tear.  The property manager tried to keep our $1,800 deposit because they "needed to replace the carpet."  After I had it cleaned professionally and then did it myself 3 more times, each time he was adamant that it needed replacing.

I had also painted the bedrooms where the kids had some "artwork" on them.  The manager was 100% amazed when he returned to inspect saying he didn't think the markings would come off or be covered.  Apparently he's never heard of Killz Primer.  My friend and I painted 3 bedrooms, the living room and the family room in one evening -- a very late evening, but still.

The day I turned over the keys, i told him, "If you keep $1 of my deposit, I want a receipt or work order showing what it cost for the carpet replacement."

You know what he said?  "Oh, I talked to the owners, and they aren't planning to replace it." 

Obviously it was still in good enough shape for the next renters!  Grrrrrrrrrr! 

It is SOP to keep the deposit in some areas here, so I was probably making waves by not letting them get away with it.  In the end, they proved they were just trying to cheat me out of my deposit.

Full disclosure;
In my entire life I've only rented for 2 years total
of those 2 years, 15 months, I was in the military living off base and CA law rather took a dim
view of land lords screwing GI's,  just as a land lord could call my commander and my ass is grass.
The remaining rental times was for temporary quarters while I purchased a home.
I hate renting.

Deposits are to cover property abuse or non payment of rent. 

As a land lord,  the house is mine and I'm responsible
to provide a safe, livable house to the occupant(s).  Wear and tear is normal and at my cost to correct.
I may need to move in one day.
 

Full disclosure;
In my entire life I've only rented for 2 years total
of those 2 years, 15 months, I was in the military living off base and CA law rather took a dim
view of land lords screwing GI's,  just as a land lord could call my commander and my ass is grass.
The remaining rental times was for temporary quarters while I purchased a home.
I hate renting.

Deposits are to cover property abuse or non payment of rent. 

As a land lord,  the house is mine and I'm responsible
to provide a safe, livable house to the occupant(s).  Wear and tear is normal and at my cost to correct.
I may need to move in one day.
 

Technically (and usually legally), the security deposit only has one purpose -- to cover damages beyond normal wear and tear.

Renters routinely assume they can "live out" the security deposit by not making the last month's payment, but then what happens if there are actual damages?  Now you have rent AND repairs that will exceed a one-month's deposit.

I was a landlord when I moved here.  Had a reliable tenant for the first 9 years.  After that, I had more deadbeats than reliable renters.  They did the "live out the deposit" trick, which left me holding the bill for all the damages they did.  And even though I could have sued them, chances are it would cost me more than the deposit or repairs, being that I had to rely on a Virginia property manager for everything.

The 'last month's rent' trick is so common now, many properties require not one, but two month's security.  That way you can't avoid paying the next to last month without late fees and other consequences.

The way all these squatters have been in the news, i'd have to be in a particular situation -- like having to move short notice -- before i ever own another rental property.  Hell, even people just trying to sell their house or going on vacation are being evicted from their own homes by squatters. 

But, that's a whole in-depth topic on its own.  Lots of interesting stories about how to get rid of them.