Maui Wildfires

It looks like the banyan tree may have survived and even if the main tree has to be taken down for safety there are likely underground shoots that will come back in time.

This presents Lahaina with an opportunity to rebuild in a way they never could before, hopefully preserving the essential character of the town while making the utilities more resilient and the buildings more robust.

What really disturbs me are the reports that the civil defense or emergency management sirens didn't go off. The death toll is likely where it is (89 the last time I checked and probably going up) because residents didn't get a warning. My father worked for Civil Defense when he retired from the Air Force and I don't believe a situation with inoperative sirens would have been tolerated back then. We heard them monthly like clockwork in Honolulu in the 70s and 80s; Lahaina is seaside and those sirens are needed for tsunami warning (among other things). I hope the reports are wrong and that people just didn't hear them because they were isolated in their air-conditioned and sound-proofed rooms or plugged into their iBuds.

Looks like the AG is starting an investigation of why the sirens and alert messages were not sent out.

I am glad the Banyan Tree survived. Maybe it is like the Redwoods in California where they have some fire retardant ability.

I, too, am hopeful that the rebuilding effort modernizes and still maintains the historical feel. But, as we are learning from the Marshall Fire, there will probably be all kinds of conflicts.

Maui police suspend placard program after ‘non-essential’ people flood distribution sites
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/0...nto-west-maui/

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Just hours after launching it, Maui police have suspended a placard program designed to speed up access into West Maui after distribution areas were flooded with people.

Maui police said they saw “overwhelming demand” from non-essential people and visitors.

Video shot by Hawaii News Now shows hundreds of cars lined up for the distribution areas.

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We really get to see who people are in a disaster. The few angels show themselves and the many demons also shed their disguises.

‘A gunfight without bullets’: Firefighters faced down blaze with dry hydrants
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/0...ommunications/

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Firefighters on the front line in Lahaina are telling harrowing stories of watching their own town burn — while the water ran out and they were forced to flee.

The stories are coming out through their union leaders, who are trying to make sure they have the continuing support they need.

Fire Fighters Association President Bobby Lee said he and two executives of the International union toured Lahaina and met with Maui firefighters on Sunday.

“Our resources were pretty much overwhelmed,” Lee said.

The leaders said the firefighters described the wind-driven fires bearing down on Lahaina as being like a blowtorch — 25 to 30 firefighters were staring down the flames as their hydrants went dry.

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The bureaucrats are going to face some public wrath after this. Unbelievable what wasn't working right.

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Originally Posted by Aloha_Shooter

The bureaucrats are going to face some public wrath after this. Unbelievable what wasn't working right.

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Boy, oh boy do I hope that they do. But, people's memory is very short and easily distracted, even from righteous indignation.

I've never been to any part of Hawaii. I want to go, just haven't. I think of Hawaii as "paradise", but the truth is it isn't immune from the same greedy leadership we see throughout our country. Just like I see happening day-to-day here in Colorado Springs and CO in totale, I'm sure bureaucrats in Maui redirected tax revenue for essential services to pet projects and to lining their own pockets. After all, "what are the chances something drastic would ever occur?". Well, it has occurred and now the people of Maui are paying the price for their bureaucrats poor decisions. These poor decisions not only resulted in loss of structures, but of lives as well. FULL accountability (to the extent of prison time) needs to happen. Hopefully the people of Maui will go after those responsible with every ounce of their energy and won't allow themselves to be distracted by the next "shiny object" flashed before their eyes.

Up to 99 dead, and still searching the burn areas. Praying that number doesn?t get higher. Still wondering what started the initial blaze. Other side of the island last year these 3 were lighting fires to quote avoid going to jail end quote. https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-...ed-with-arson/

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Originally Posted by Joe_K

Up to 99 dead, and still searching the burn areas. Praying that number doesn?t get higher. Still wondering what started the initial blaze. Other side of the island last year these 3 were lighting fires to quote avoid going to jail end quote. https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-...ed-with-arson/

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I saw a video of a wind-broken power pole supposedly at the ignition point. The video was taken just before the fire started.

Really sad all the way around, power down, no fricking sirens (the same ones they test every month), and a real test of the first responders. Too much, too fast, thanks to the weather and wind. They have done their best in my opinion.

Not a good sign when you are asked to give a DNA example when submitting a missing person's report. Just heart-breaking to even imagine.

The fact that the missing list is still around 1000 this many days after the event is highly concerning. The eventual death toll could be unprecedented in modern US history for a wildfire event.

A disturbing observation I read was that because school was not yet in session, there were many latchkey children at home in the Lahaina area.

O2

Needs to be investigation of Herman Andaya and those responsible for hiring him.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.