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Now, fighting and preventing wildfires and helping the island of Maui recover from the flames top the agenda as Hawaii's Legislature returns for a new session this week. The Senate majority said in a news release it was committed to forming a fire risk task force and seeking permanent funding for the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, which is a hub for wildfire prevention and mitigation. Josh Green, a Democrat, in December asked lawmakers to appropriate $425 million for the Maui cleanup and emergency housing, and millions more to reduce statewide wildfire risk. Nakamura said the Maui fires exacerbated a problem that existed long before: the proliferation of vacation rentals around the state. “If they can’t find an affordable rental and use their skills in Hawaii, then we all lose out,” she said.

Persons: ”, Nadine Nakamura, Nakamura, Josh Green, Colin Moore, Moore, “, ” Moore Organizations: Democrat, Democrats, of Land, Natural Resources, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Senate, Gov, University of Hawaii Locations: HONOLULU, Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Kula

☆ Mosquitoes are driving the ‘akikiki’ to extinction. With only 5 birds left in the wild, scientists are racing to save the species
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

This summer, the team successfully rescued 10 eggs that were placed in a portable incubator and brought safely back to the Kauaʻi Bird Conservation Center. The goal is that as soon as the threat of avian malaria is eradicated, the birds can be released back into their native habitat. Eradicating mosquitoesThe looming challenge is how to eradicate avian malaria – which not only threatens the ‘akikiki but also other endangered forest birds. In June, the US government committed nearly $16 million as part of an initiative to prevent the imminent extinction of Hawaiian forest birds. The process could help to reduce the likelihood of forest birds being affected by avian malaria, which is only carried by female mosquitoes.

Persons: ”, Hannah Bailey, Bailey, we’ll, “ Organizations: CNN, state’s Department of Land, Resources, Conservation Program, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Department of Land, Bird Conservation, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Hawaii’s Department of Land Locations: Hawaii, Kauaʻi, Maui, San

☆ Death toll from Hawaii wildfires drops to 97
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 15 (Reuters) - The death toll from last month's wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui has dropped to 97 and the number of people missing is now 31, Hawaii Governor Josh Green told CNN in an interview on Friday. Green said last week the death toll was 115 and 66 people were missing. "The death toll dropped because we have Department of Defense anthropologists who are able to do a lot more advanced genetics. Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, Eric Beech, Dan Whitcomb, Sandra Maler Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, CNN, Department of Defense, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Washington

☆ US House panel asks Hawaiian Electric CEO to testify in wildfire probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc FollowSept 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday asked utility company Hawaiian Electric (HE.N) CEO Shelee Kimura to testify at a hearing investigating the causes of the wildfire that killed at least 115 people and razed the historic town of Lahaina. Along with Kimura, the committee also summoned officials of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and the Hawai’i State Energy Office. Last month, the panel sent letters to Hawaiian Electric as well as state utility officials, seeking information about the wildfires. Reporting by Mrinalika Roy and Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja DesaiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shelee Kimura, Kimura, Mrinalika Roy, Sourasis Bose, Pooja Desai Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, U.S . House Energy, Commerce, Electric, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Hawai’i, Energy Office, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Washington, United States, Bengaluru

[1/2] A view of burned debris after wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., August 10, 2023. Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric last week, accusing the utility of negligently failing to shut off power and causing the devastating fires that destroyed the coastal town of Lahaina and killed more than 114 people. "We were surprised and disappointed that the County of Maui rushed to court even before completing its own investigation," CEO Shelee Kimura said in a statement. Even with Monday's rally, shares are still down more than 60% since the wildfires started on Aug. 8. "To the extent HECO (Hawaiian Electric Co) has information of a second ignition source, HECO should offer that evidence now.

Persons: Shelee Kimura, HECO, John Fiske, Raymond James, Pavel Molchanov, Arunima Kumar, Mrinalika Roy, Louise Heavens, Mark Potter, Maju Samuel, Shounak Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiian Electric, Electric, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, West Maui, Bengaluru

[1/2] A view of burned debris after wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., August 10, 2023. Officials also encouraged relatives to submit the names of anyone else still missing and to provide DNA samples to assist in identifying remains. Officials had said earlier in the week that they had a running list of 1,000 to 1,100 people still unaccounted for. On Thursday, Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric (HE.N) for failing to shut down its equipment despite warnings that the high winds could knock down power lines. "We are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding," the company said in response to a request for comment.

Persons: John Pelletier, Joseph Ax, Julia Harte, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, FBI, Police, Hawaiian Electric, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maui County

A sign at the site of the destroyed Pioneer Hotel and Pioneer Theater is seen after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 10, 2023. The wildfires incinerated the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying 2,200 homes and businesses and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Biden has faced criticism from Republicans for not speaking publicly about the tragedy until five days after it occurred. Criswell said she was in communication in the days that followed the wildfires, helping Biden understand the magnitude of the situation and what resources were needed. Some will be too traumatized to attend when their schools in Lahaina reopen while some parents will opt to move rather than rebuild.

Persons: Deanne Criswell, Joe Biden, Criswell, Biden, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, David Morgan, Mary Milliken, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Pioneer, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS Acquire, . Federal Emergency Management Agency, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Kihei, Chicago, Washington

☆ Maui children face grief, destruction as schools start up after wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Sharon Bernstein | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] A view of burned debris after wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., August 10, 2023. Getting kids back in school poses numerous challenges: hundreds have already enrolled in schools in areas outside the burn zone. To help students, parents and staff, the Hawaii State Department of Education is offering in-person and telehealth counseling services, according to the department's website. SCHOOLS REOPEN OUTSIDE BURN ZONEThe state has been encouraging families from Lahaina to enroll their children at schools outside of the burn zone where they may be staying temporarily. Children whose families already lived outside Lahaina but attend schools there on special permits should also enroll elsewhere, the Hawaii State Department of Education said on its website.

Persons: Mike Landes, King Kamehameha, Landes, Courtney Walter, King Kamehameha III, Nahi'ena'ena, They've, Sharon Bernstein, Jonathan Allen, Liliana Salgado, Donna Bryson, Sonali Paul Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS Acquire, King Kamehameha III Elementary School, Lahainaluna, Landes, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii State Department of Education, Reuters, Maui High School, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Hawaii's, Kihei, Landes, Maui's Upcountry, Lahainaluna, West Maui, Sacramento

CNN —A state agency delayed a water management company’s request to make more water available to fight the devastating wildfires in Maui earlier this month, according to letters obtained by CNN. The agency told Tremble that his company first had to ask about impacts on downstream users, according to the letter. Tremble told CNN by that time, his company’s water system manager left the area to evacuate his family and other staff couldn’t be reached. In a follow-up letter, Tremble thanked the chairperson for the prompt response. “This deployment does not suggest that First Deputy Manuel did anything wrong.”The agency declined to comment on whether quicker approval of West Maui Land Company’s request would have helped firefighters.

Persons: Glenn Tremble, Tremble, couldn’t, ” Tremble, “, ”, Josh Green, Kaleo Manuel –, –, Manuel, Manuel couldn’t Organizations: CNN, Maui Land Company, Water Resource Management, Honolulu Star, Honolulu Civil, Department of Land, Resources, Department Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina ., Lahaina, Honolulu, West Maui

☆ Maui wildfires: Crews still working to identify 93 victims found so far in deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP Volunteers unload supplies from trucks before loading them onto boats for people in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, August 12. Rick Bowmer/AP Grace Hurt, right, embraces someone while loading supplies for those in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Josh Green, “ It’s, Dora, We’ve, ” Green, ”, John Pelletier, Deanne Criswell, Green, Brad Ventura, Kihei –, •, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Evelio Contreras, Rick Bowmer, Grace Hurt, Hurt, Justin Sullivan, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, “, who’ve, Ilihia Gionson, Gionson, –, Steven, Giulietta Daiker, ” Steven, ” Giulietta, “ We’re, Richard Bissen Jr Organizations: CNN, National Fire Protection Association, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui Police, FEMA, Maui County Fire, • Cell, Maui News, AP Volunteers, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Fire Department, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty, National Guard, Department of Health, Human Services, Pacific Whale Foundation, Ritz, Carlton, Hawaii Department, Transportation, Saturday, Volunteers, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Lahaina Residents Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Kihei, Upcountry, Hawaii, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, Kula, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP, Kapalua, Lahaina –, Hawaiian

KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Sunday called a part of the island of Maui that was devastated by wildfires a "war zone," as the death toll reached 93 and was expected to keep climbing. "We're at 93 (victims) now ... it's a war zone, but the help is incredible." The death toll made the blaze Hawaii's worst natural disaster, surpassing a tsunami that killed 61 people in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a U.S. state. [1/2]The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Reuters Graphics'TOO GRIM'Authorities began allowing residents back into west Maui on Friday, although the fire zone in Lahaina remained barricaded.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, We'll, Joe Biden, Deanne Criswell, we've, a.m, Mike Blake, Marco Garcia, David Ljunggren, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Maria Caspani, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis, Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Mallard, Paul Simao Organizations: MSNBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Sunday, National Fire Protection Association, Officials, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Reuters Graphics, Authorities, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, obliterating, it's, U.S, Paradise , California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maui County, Kula, Kahului, Honolulu , Hawaii

☆ Hawaii's emergency siren warning system was silent during Maui wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Hawaii residents have long been accustomed to the monthly tests of the outdoor siren warning system. “Maui County faced a challenging, rapidly changing situation, and I think they did everything possible to save lives. Period.’Video Ad Feedback Video shows family's terrifying escape from Maui wildfires 01:18 - Source: CNNThe fire spread with such speed that many people left their homes immediately with little notice from authorities, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Cole Millington, ” Millington, ”, Millington, …, –, Adam Weintraub, ” Weintraub, Weintraub, “, Allen Vu, Vu, Anne Lopez, Jill Tokuda, Karl Kim, Brad Ventura, ” Ventura, John Pelletier, Josh Green, Clay Trauernicht, Wedelin, Lee, Matthew Thayer, Patrick Fallon, Justin Sullivan, Rick Bowmer, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, Lane, ” Kim, Brock Long, ‘, Rachel Zimmerman Organizations: CNN, Lahaina, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, CNN Hawaii, National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, University of Hawaii, Maui County Fire, Maui County Police, Gov, Communication, National Weather Service, “, Maui Fire Department, Facebook, Firefighter, Fire Department, Maui News, AP Pacific Whale Foundation, Getty, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Lahaina . Millington, Maui, “, Hawaii, Lahaina, Millington, Maui County, Manoa, Honolulu, Olinda, Kula, Hanamu, Piʻiholo, Lahaina Bypass, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Maalaea, West Maui, AFP, Wailuku, Upcountry, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, Kihei

☆ Maui wildfires: Firefighting crews make progress against wildfires that killed at least 80 people, but flare-ups continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

People in Kaanapali were evacuating Friday night after spotting a fire in the neighborhood, which is about 4 miles north of hard-hit Lahaina, Maui police said. The hall of the historic Waiola Church and the nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Tuesday, August 8. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Dora, Kihei –, Rick Bowmer, Richard Bissen, Josh Green, ”, Deanne Criswell, It’s, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Mike Blake, Justin Sullivan, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, it’s, ” Steve Dolan, “, anything’s, what’s Organizations: CNN — Firefighters, Hawaii Gov, CNN, “, FEMA, Maui Police, Hawaii News, Maui News, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, . Hawaii Department of Land, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Kaanapali, Maui County, Kihei, Upcountry, Lahaina , Hawaii, Upper Kula, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Kula, Waiola, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP

[1/5] The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. RAPID ADVANCEAuthorities began allowing residents back into west Maui on Friday, though the fire zone in Lahaina remained barricaded. "When I see Lahaina town itself, I cannot describe the feelings I get," said Lacuesta, who was headed to a church shelter next to continue his search. Subsequent updates were focused on the Kula fire, which had burned hundreds of acres and forced some local evacuations. But at around 3:30 p.m., according to the county's updates, the Lahaina fire flared up.

Persons: Anne Lopez, Josh Green, Dacruz, We'll, Lacuesta, a.m, Mike Blake, Marco Garcia, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, CNN, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, REUTERS KAHULUI, Kahului, Kula, Maui County, Honolulu , Hawaii

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