Habitat for Humanity Maui Post-Disaster Mass Timber Home (Lāhainā Prototype)

The Habitat for Humanity Maui Post-Disaster Mass Timber Home is a groundbreaking demonstration of how mass timber can accelerate resilient community recovery following natural disasters. Constructed on a homesite destroyed during the devastating August 2023 Maui wildfires, the project represents the first mass timber home in Habitat for Humanity’s history and serves as a prototype for future wildfire recovery efforts across Hawaii and beyond.

Designed by Hawaii Off Grid: Architecture & Engineering and supported by WoodWorks and the USDA Forest Service, the home utilizes prefabricated mass timber components that enabled the primary structural system to be erected in just three days with the assistance of local volunteers. The project showcases the speed, precision, and durability of engineered wood construction while creating opportunities for workforce development through hands-on mass timber training programs on Maui.

Beyond a single home, the initiative demonstrates a scalable rebuilding solution that can help communities recover more quickly after disasters while reducing construction waste, supporting sustainable forestry, and delivering high-performance housing. The design plans developed through this effort will be made available at no cost through WoodWorks to homeowners impacted by the Maui wildfires, creating a lasting resource for resilient rebuilding throughout the region.