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