Maui town ravaged by fire will ‘rise again,’ Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui town ravaged by fire will ‘rise again,’ Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Hawaii Gov. “The fire occurred only 10 days ago, and many people are still in shock and mourning,” Tiare Lawrence, who grew up in Lahaina, said at an emotional news conference organized by community activists. But his Friday address didn’t provide details, other than saying he directed the state attorney general to “impose enhanced criminal penalties on anyone who tries to take advantage of victims by acquiring property in the affected areas.” Since the flames consumed much of Lahaina, locals have feared a rebuilt town could become even more oriented toward wealthy visitors. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said earlier Thursday that an outside organization will conduct “an impartial, independent” review of the government’s response. “One minute we saw the fire over there,” she said, pointing toward faraway hills, “and the next minute it’s consuming all these houses.” Authorities hope to empty crowded, uncomfortable group shelters by early next week, said Brad Kieserman, vice president for disaster operations with the American Red Cross.

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History of this topic

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA
2 months, 1 week ago

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA

NPR  

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA toggle caption Jae C. Hong/AP LAHAINA, Hawaii — Survivors of last year's deadly wildfire that decimated a historic Maui town will receive an additional year of housing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Sponsor Message The deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century created uncertainty for many …

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA
2 months, 1 week ago

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA

LA Times  

The devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, last year killed at least 102 people and displaced 12,000. Survivors of last year’s deadly wildfire that decimated a historic Maui town will receive an additional year of housing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The housing assistance was set to end next February, but FEMA approved a one-year extension that will end …

Things to know about the investigations into the deadly wildfire that destroyed a Maui town
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Things to know about the investigations into the deadly wildfire that destroyed a Maui town

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lawyers for people seeking compensation …

Maui Fire to release cause report on deadly US wildfire
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Maui Fire to release cause report on deadly US wildfire

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Maui Fire Department asked the ATF to help …

Things to know about about the deadly wildfire that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina
3 months, 1 week ago

Things to know about about the deadly wildfire that destroyed the Maui town of Lahaina

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Hawaii officials didn’t prepare for dangerous fire weather in the days before flames incinerated the historic Maui town of Lahaina even though they were warned by meteorologists, the state’s attorney general said Friday. An Associated Press investigation found the answer may lie in an overgrown gully beneath Hawaiian Electric Co. power lines and something that harbored smoldering embers …

Report Finds 'No Evidence' Hawaii Officials Prepared For Wildfire Despite Warnings
3 months, 1 week ago

Report Finds 'No Evidence' Hawaii Officials Prepared For Wildfire Despite Warnings

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING HONOLULU, Hawaii — Investigators reviewing the emergency response to last year’s devastating wildfire on Maui said in a report released Friday they found “no evidence” Hawaii officials made preparations for it, despite days of warnings that critical fire weather was about to arrive. But in the ensuing four days, the report found, there is no evidence that …

Report finds ‘no evidence’ Hawaii officials prepared for wildfire that killed 102 despite warnings
3 months, 1 week ago

Report finds ‘no evidence’ Hawaii officials prepared for wildfire that killed 102 despite warnings

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Investigators reviewing the emergency response to last year’s wildfire that killed 102 people on Maui said in a report released Friday they found “no evidence” Hawaii officials made preparations for it, despite days of warnings that critical fire weather was coming. But in the ensuing days, the report found, there is no evidence that key agencies — the …

‘Never give up hope’: Maui residents reflect on a year in the wildfires’ aftermath
4 months, 1 week ago

‘Never give up hope’: Maui residents reflect on a year in the wildfires’ aftermath

Raw Story  

This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat. At Hanakao’o Park in West Maui, chants of “Lahaina strong!” echoed across the water as hundreds of those residents paddled out on surfboards just offshore from the beach park. “It’s been a rollercoaster,” said Lahaina resident Shaleena Barrios, who attended the Hanakao’o park gathering with her husband, Mike, and their two …

‘We’re going to survive and it’s going to come back’: A year after Maui wildfire, Lahaina presses on
4 months, 2 weeks ago

‘We’re going to survive and it’s going to come back’: A year after Maui wildfire, Lahaina presses on

LA Times  

They have combed the ashes for mementos, worried about where they would sleep, questioned their faith and tried to find a way to grieve amid the great, unsettling devastation. “We’re going to survive and it’s going to come back.” The hall of historic Waiola Church burns last August along with nearby Hongwanji Mission, the Japanese Buddhist temple where Ai Hironaka …

A year after Maui wildfire, chronic housing shortage and pricey vacation rentals complicate recovery
4 months, 3 weeks ago

A year after Maui wildfire, chronic housing shortage and pricey vacation rentals complicate recovery

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Josephine Fraser worried her young family’s next home would be a tent. Josephine Fraser holds her son Zyon Dias, 18 months, as she watches Ireh Dias, 3, front, run around outside their small home at the Maui Lani housing development on July 10, 2024, in Kahului, Hawaii. The construction progress at Ka La’i Ola, a housing development …

Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding as 1-year mark of deadly wildfire approaches
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding as 1-year mark of deadly wildfire approaches

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Nearly a year after wind-whipped flames raced through Kim Ball’s Hawaii community, the empty lot where his house once stood is a symbol of some of the progress being made toward rebuilding after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. “Welcome to our neighborhood,” Ball said Wednesday as he greeted a van full of Hawaii …

Hawaii officials outline efforts to prevent another devastating wildfire ahead of a dry season
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Hawaii officials outline efforts to prevent another devastating wildfire ahead of a dry season

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — As Maui continues to recover from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, Hawaii officials are looking at preventing another similar disaster ahead of what is expected to be a dry, fire-prone season, Gov. Green warned of a “very dry season.” Officials highlighted wildfire preparation efforts, including expanding a network of remote weather stations, approval of …

Maui to hire expert to evaluate county’s response to deadly wildfire
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Maui to hire expert to evaluate county’s response to deadly wildfire

Associated Press  

WAILUKU, Hawaii — Nine months after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century struck Maui, Mayor Richard Bissen says the county will hire an outside expert to assess how its emergency management agency performed during the disaster. The agency isn’t able to perform its own “after-action report” because of staffing shortages, the county said in response to an …

Takeaways from this week’s reports on the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed Lahaina
8 months, 1 week ago

Takeaways from this week’s reports on the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed Lahaina

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — More than half a year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century burned through a historic Maui town, officials are still trying to determine exactly what went wrong and how to prevent similar catastrophes in the future. The previous day, the Maui Fire Department put out an after-action report produced by the Western Fire Chiefs …

Maui fire: Report details how it was no match for unprecedented blazes
8 months, 1 week ago

Maui fire: Report details how it was no match for unprecedented blazes

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — As unpredictable wildfires roared across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency alerts, according to a report released Wednesday. The Maui Emergency Management Agency had posted to Facebook on …

Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire, report says
8 months, 1 week ago

Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire, report says

LA Times  

As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency was slow to return to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency alerts, according to a report released this week. Maui Emergency Management Agency posted to Facebook Aug. 6 about a “serious fire …

Maui Fire Department report on deadly wildfire details need for more equipment and mutual aid plans
8 months, 1 week ago

Maui Fire Department report on deadly wildfire details need for more equipment and mutual aid plans

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — When wildfires broke out across Maui last August, some firefighters carried victims piggyback over downed power lines to safety and sheltered survivors inside their engines. But despite devoting nearly all the personnel and vehicles it had to the fight on Aug. 8, 2023, the Maui Fire Department was no match for an unprecedented series of blazes including one …

Maui’s mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters after Lahaina wildfire
9 months, 1 week ago

Maui’s mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters after Lahaina wildfire

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Maui’s mayor says he is prioritizing housing, evaluating evacuation routes and hiring more firefighters as his Hawaii community recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. To boost housing options, Bissen said his legal team would review an exemption to county laws that allows owners of selected properties to turn their condos into vacation rentals …

Better equipment and communications are among Maui police recommendations after Lahaina wildfire
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Better equipment and communications are among Maui police recommendations after Lahaina wildfire

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Nearly six months after a wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, the Maui Police Department said Monday it is working on improving its response to future tragedies, including by obtaining better equipment and stationing a high-ranking officer in the island’s communications center during emergencies. “The Maui Police Department, in collaboration with other emergency response agencies, worked tirelessly …

Agencies release plans for moving hotel-dwelling Maui fire survivors into long-term housing
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Agencies release plans for moving hotel-dwelling Maui fire survivors into long-term housing

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday it plans to move thousands of hotel-dwelling survivors of wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui into long-term housing over the next month. The agency expects households living under long-term leases directly funded by FEMA to rise to 1,500 over the next month from 100 currently, TJ Dargan, federal coordinating officer …

Maui’s economy needs tourists. Can they visit without compounding wildfire trauma?
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Maui’s economy needs tourists. Can they visit without compounding wildfire trauma?

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — The restaurant where Katie Austin was a server burned in the wildfire that devastated Hawaii’s historic town of Lahaina this summer. “It was soul-sucking.” Hawaii’s governor and mayor invited tourists back to the west side of Maui months after the Aug. 8 fire killed at least 100 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings. Last week, hundreds …

Maui’s economy needs tourists. Can they visit without compounding wildfire trauma?
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Maui’s economy needs tourists. Can they visit without compounding wildfire trauma?

LA Times  

Tourists get off of a Trilogy Excursions boat arriving on Kaanapali Beach in front of a flag of Hawaii planted in the sand Dec. 6 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hawaii’s governor and mayor invited tourists back to the west side of Maui months after the Aug. 8 fire killed at least 100 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings. Last week, …

Hawaii governor's first budget after Maui wildfire includes funds for recovery and fire prevention
1 year ago

Hawaii governor's first budget after Maui wildfire includes funds for recovery and fire prevention

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Josh Green on Monday said he was requesting $425 …

Authorities in Maui will open more of the burn zone to visits by residents next week
1 year, 2 months ago

Authorities in Maui will open more of the burn zone to visits by residents next week

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Authorities in Maui are opening more of the burn zone from last month’s devastating wildfire for visits by residents and property owners who lost homes. Early this week, officials began permitting those who lived in a small section in the north end of Lahaina to return for the first time since the Aug. 8 wildfire demolished the …

An old car tire, burnt trees and a utility pole may be key in finding how the Maui wildfire spread
1 year, 2 months ago

An old car tire, burnt trees and a utility pole may be key in finding how the Maui wildfire spread

Associated Press  

Melted remains of an old car tire. Asked about the overgrown gully, Hawaiian Electric said in a statement to AP that the right-of-way allows it to “remove anything that interferes with our lines and could potentially cause an outage” but does not allow it to ”go on to private property to perform landscaping or grass-mowing.” In this photo provided by …

What you need to know about visiting Maui after the wildfires
1 year, 3 months ago

What you need to know about visiting Maui after the wildfires

BBC  

What you need to know about visiting Maui after the wildfires RooM the Agency/Alamy What you need to know about visiting Maui after the wildfires In the days following the deadly wildfires, many Hawaiians told tourists to stay away. "Supporting small businesses as much as possible will help secure those jobs that are at higher risk in Maui's current economic …

Lahaina’s fire-stricken Filipino residents are key to tourism and local culture. Will they stay?
1 year, 3 months ago

Lahaina’s fire-stricken Filipino residents are key to tourism and local culture. Will they stay?

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Ambulance and fire truck sirens wailed outside as Elsie Rosales stripped linens from king-sized mattresses at a beachfront resort in Lahaina. “If it wasn’t for the Filipinos having two or three jobs, a lot of the businesses here, including the hotels, would have a hard time operating,” said Rick Nava, a community advocate and Filipino immigrant who …

Maui to welcome back tourists next month under a new wildfire emergency rule
1 year, 3 months ago

Maui to welcome back tourists next month under a new wildfire emergency rule

Hindustan Times  

Most of West Maui will officially reopen to travellers Oct. 8 under a new wildfire emergency proclamation signed on Friday by Hawaii Gov. Maui to welcome back tourists next month under a new wildfire emergency rule Nonessential travel to much of the island's western coastline has been strongly discouraged since devastating wildfires killed at least 115 people in the historic …

Most of West Maui will welcome back visitors next month under a new wildfire emergency proclamation
1 year, 3 months ago

Most of West Maui will welcome back visitors next month under a new wildfire emergency proclamation

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Most of West Maui will …

Most of West Maui will welcome back visitors next month under a new wildfire emergency proclamation
1 year, 3 months ago

Most of West Maui will welcome back visitors next month under a new wildfire emergency proclamation

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Most of West Maui will officially reopen to travelers Oct. 8 under a new wildfire emergency proclamation signed on Friday by Hawaii Gov. Nonessential travel to much of the island’s western coastline has been strongly discouraged since devastating wildfires killed at least 115 people in the historic town of Lahaina last month. State tourism officials initially urged travelers …

Maui in Hawaii beckons tourists to stave off economic disaster after wildfires
1 year, 3 months ago

Maui in Hawaii beckons tourists to stave off economic disaster after wildfires

Hindustan Times  

Richie Olsten has been in Maui's helicopter tour business for a half century, so long he's developed a barometer for the tourism-dependent economy: rental cars parked at the island's airport. Hannemann called the situation “pretty grim.” One of Maui's most venerable restaurants, Hali'imaile General Store, laid off about 30 workers and temporarily closed after business shrank to one-tenth of pre-fire …

Maui beckons tourists, and their dollars, to stave off economic disaster after wildfires
1 year, 3 months ago

Maui beckons tourists, and their dollars, to stave off economic disaster after wildfires

Associated Press  

KAHULUI, Hawaii — Richie Olsten has been in Maui’s helicopter tour business for a half century, so long he’s developed a barometer for the tourism-dependent economy: rental cars parked at the island’s airport. Hannemann called the situation “pretty grim.” One of Maui’s most venerable restaurants, Hali’imaile General Store, laid off about 30 workers and temporarily closed after business shrank to …

Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead
1 year, 3 months ago

Unclear how many in Lahaina lost lives as Hawaii authorities near the end of their search for dead

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Crews in Hawaii have all but finished searching for victims of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, authorities said Tuesday, and it is unclear how many people perished. “We have wrapped up almost completely the search and recovery mission and moving into the next phase,” Darryl Oliveira, the interim administrator of the Maui Emergency Management …

Evacuation order lifted after firefighters douse Maui brush fire near site of deadly Lahaina blaze
1 year, 3 months ago

Evacuation order lifted after firefighters douse Maui brush fire near site of deadly Lahaina blaze

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — An evacuation order following a brush fire that burned 10 acres on Maui was lifted by emergency officials Saturday. The fire prompted Maui authorities to temporarily evacuate residents Saturday from a neighborhood of Lahaina, just a few miles from the site recently ravaged by blazes, before firefighters brought it under control. The Maui County Emergency Management Agency …

US: Bush fire near site of deadly Maui blaze prompts authorities to evacuate citizens
1 year, 3 months ago

US: Bush fire near site of deadly Maui blaze prompts authorities to evacuate citizens

India TV News  

A brush fire burned 10 acres on Saturday and prompted Maui authorities to evacuate residents from a neighbourhood of Lahaina, just a few miles from the site recently ravaged by blazes before firefighters brought it under control. Firefighters doused flames from above using a helicopter and with hoses on the ground, said John Heggie, a spokesperson for Maui County’s Joint …

Maui police chief: Some fire victims may never be found
1 year, 3 months ago

Maui police chief: Some fire victims may never be found

Raw Story  

This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier told reporters at a press conference that the number of confirmed fatalities has remained at 115 for days despite the fact that search crews using cadaver dogs to comb through the rubble were expected to have gone through the entire fire area by the end of …

As hundreds remain missing in Maui, electric company admits evidence to determine how wildfires started may have been compromised
1 year, 4 months ago

As hundreds remain missing in Maui, electric company admits evidence to determine how wildfires started may have been compromised

CNN  

CNN — Hundreds of people are still listed as unaccounted for after this month’s devastating wildfires on Maui – a number that’s expected to change as the FBI continues vetting names. Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP In pictures: The deadly Maui wildfires Prev Next Evidence may have been compromised, power company says As the human toll of the fire comes into …

Maui County sues power company, saying it didn’t turn off electricity during wildfires
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui County sues power company, saying it didn’t turn off electricity during wildfires

LA Times  

Maui County has sued Hawaiian Electric Co. over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Hawaiian Electric said in a statement that it was “very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding.” The lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that the …

Lahaina wants closure. Authorities plead for patience
1 year, 4 months ago

Lahaina wants closure. Authorities plead for patience

NPR  

Authorities plead for patience Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR LAHAINA, Hawaii — In the burn zone of Lahaina, the search and recovery effort continues in the wake of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years. Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR "This is a very devastating response," Sebastian says. Enlarge this …

Maui fires latest news: California woman named as first tourist among victims as residents start returning home
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui fires latest news: California woman named as first tourist among victims as residents start returning home

The Independent  

✕ Close President Biden and First Lady arrive in Maui Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A California woman has been …

In deadly Maui fires, many had no warning and no way out. Those who dodged a barricade survived
1 year, 4 months ago

In deadly Maui fires, many had no warning and no way out. Those who dodged a barricade survived

Associated Press  

As flames tore through a West Maui neighborhood, car after car of fleeing residents headed for the only paved road out of town in a desperate race for safety. “And I could see that people were on fire, that the fire was just being stoked by the wind, and being pushed toward the homes.” The road closures — some because …

Biden says federal government will help Maui ‘for as long as it takes’ to recover from wildfire
1 year, 4 months ago

Biden says federal government will help Maui ‘for as long as it takes’ to recover from wildfire

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — President Joe Biden on Monday told survivors of Hawaii’s wildfires that the nation “grieves with you” and promised that the federal government will help “for as long as it takes” Maui to recover from damage caused by the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. “We’re going to rebuild the way the people of Maui want …

Global firestorm: A summer of infernos in Canada, Greece, Hawaii and beyond point to the future
1 year, 4 months ago

Global firestorm: A summer of infernos in Canada, Greece, Hawaii and beyond point to the future

LA Times  

Ash-covered cars still line the highway in Lahaina, Hawaii, where hundreds of people tried in vain to escape from a fast-moving and fatal wildfire, like a scene out of a nightmare. “Climate change doesn’t really explain the catastrophic nature of the fire, and for that I think we have to look deeper at a variety of social, economic and political …

Maui town ravaged by fire will 'rise again,' Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui town ravaged by fire will 'rise again,' Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The fire occurred only 10 …

Maui town ravaged by fire will ‘rise again,’ Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui town ravaged by fire will ‘rise again,’ Hawaii governor says of long recovery ahead

Associated Press  

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Hawaii Gov. “The fire occurred only 10 days ago, and many people are still in shock and mourning,” Tiare Lawrence, who grew up in Lahaina, said at an emotional news conference organized by community activists. But his Friday address didn’t provide details, other than saying he directed the state attorney general to “impose enhanced criminal penalties on …

‘Lahaina belongs to its people’: Hawaii governor insists fire-ravaged Maui community will be rebuilt as search efforts continue
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Lahaina belongs to its people’: Hawaii governor insists fire-ravaged Maui community will be rebuilt as search efforts continue

CNN  

CNN — Amid concerns that speculators may snap up destroyed land, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green insisted Friday that the years-long undertaking of rebuilding Maui’s historic Lahaina community will prioritize residents’ desires over those of property developers. Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Satellite images taken on June 25 and August 9 show an overview of Lahaina …

In Hawaii, concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires
1 year, 4 months ago

In Hawaii, concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires

Associated Press  

Kim Cuevas-Reyes, a 38-year-old cellphone store owner, snuck into Lahaina last Friday to see the remnants of her home with her own eyes. With a housing crisis that has priced out many Native Hawaiians as well as families that have been there for decades, concerns are rising that the state could become the latest example of “climate gentrification,” when it …

‘Heaven on Earth’ turned deadly: Fire exposes Maui’s shocking lack of preparation
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Heaven on Earth’ turned deadly: Fire exposes Maui’s shocking lack of preparation

LA Times  

The fire that raged through West Maui last week — leveling a historic community and killing more than 100 people — has exposed major weaknesses in the island’s preparations for such a disaster. Hawaii’s community wildfire protection plan for West Maui, dated from 2014, notes that while evacuation protocols exist for tsunamis, fire safety zones in West Maui “are yet …

Maui emergency chief resigns after criticism over Hawaii wildfire response
1 year, 4 months ago

Maui emergency chief resigns after criticism over Hawaii wildfire response

Al Jazeera  

Herman Andaya, head of Maui Emergency Management Agency, had defended his decision not to sound powerful warning sirens as a deadly wildfire ripped through Lahaina. “Today Mayor Richard Bissen accepted the resignation of Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya,” a Maui County press release said on Thursday. “Citing health reasons, Andaya submitted his resignation effective immediately.” At least 111 …

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