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☆ Who Profits After Natural Disasters Like Hurricanes and Wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Anthony Dimauro | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

After Hurricane Michael struck Florida in 2018, home sales rose significantly, allowing disaster investors to reap the rewards. This venture has the potential to be even more rewarding given the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the US. But federal disaster relief is painfully slow to respond and often doesn't cover most of the costs. And while moratoriums on damaged land sales aren't a long-term, legally tenable solution, there are ways state officials might be able to deter disaster investors. As the threat of natural disasters increases, so will disaster profiteers.

Persons: Josh Green, Ian, Hurricane Michael, Hurricane, Joe Raedle, Hurricane Maria, Congress —, Hurricane Sandy, it's, Anthony DiMauro Organizations: Nashville Metro Council, FEMA, Hurricane, Centers for Environmental, Federal Reserve's Survey, Consumer Finances, Emergency Managment Agency, Small Business Administration, Urban Institute, Office, Congress, of Housing, Urban, Bloomberg, Newsweek, L.A Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii's, Tennessee, Nashville, Florida, Wilsey, New Orleans, California, Puerto Rico, Lahaina, New York

☆ Maui business owners need tourism to survive, but say visitors should rethink how they use resources: 'It's not Disneyland'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Now, businesses say they need tourism to stay afloat and keep their workers employed. Kawakami said in the short term, though, local businesses need visitors to come back. But right now, local businesses need tourists in the short run to survive, and some told Insider that residents urging tourists to stay away were misguided. What locals say relief should look likeOn Thursday, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said on Twitter that South Maui resorts "NEED visitors," adding "now we have housed virtually everyone, temporarily." AdvertisementAdvertisement"It was through the efforts of local community, not the government," Nakoa said.

Persons: Garrett Marrero, Marrero, Kyle Kawakami, Kawakami, COVID, we're, Kaniela Ing, " Marrero, Sen, Brian Schatz, Josh Green of, Green, Ing, Julia Tallman, Leonard Junya Nakoa, Nakoa, Tallman, She's, she's Organizations: Service, Maui Brewing Company, Maui Brewing, —, Green New Deal Network, Hawaii, Twitter, Maui Economic Development Board, New Deal Locations: Maui, Wall, Silicon, Lahaina, West Maui, Josh Green of Hawaii

☆ How forensic investigators use DNA, fingerprints and other methods to identify remains after a fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“DNA has been really extremely helpful for us, with the Rapid DNA,” said Alison Galloway, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who helped identify remains during the Camp Fire. “If you don’t have that … then it’s a lot more difficult.”In general, forensic experts rely on DNA, dental analysis, fingerprints, medical hardware or circumstantial evidence to try to identify remains. “We’re still diligently working trying to make sure that we can identify (remains), and that’s why that DNA is so important, because we got fingerprints from three,” he said. Galloway, the forensics professor, said one of the advantages of the Rapid DNA technology is in quickly determining whether a DNA swab is usable. Maui asks for family members to come forwardFor Rapid DNA to work, family members of the missing have to willingly submit to DNA swabs.

Persons: ”, Alison Galloway, Santa Cruz, Josh Green, CBS’s, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, 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, Matthew Thayer, John Pelletier, “ We’re, Stephen Meer, Sudhin, –, Meer, we’ve, you’ve, you’re, ” Meer, Jonathan Masaki Shiroma, what’s, …, Robert Quinn, “, Robert Quinn’s Organizations: CNN, University of California, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, ANDE Corp, Forensic Science, Fire, FBI, Maui Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, California, Santa, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Paradise , California, Galloway, Ukraine, ”, Butte County

☆ Hawaii calls for tourists to visit Maui as unemployment claims surge after deadly wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Supplies for Lahaina fire victims are gathered and delivered by Hawaiians sailing on a large catamaran who often sail around the world together to Lahaina neighborhoods. Officials in Hawaii are encouraging tourists to visit Maui to help support the economy as unemployment claims surge on the island in the wake of deadly wildfires in the western region. But the governor and the Hawaii Tourism Authority are encouraging tourists to visit all other areas of Maui to help support a local economy that is suffering in the wake of the blaze. Sen. Brian Schatz said furloughs and layoffs are starting to pick up because people think the whole island is closed. Unemployment claims in Maui have skyrocketed from 130 shortly before the blaze to 4,449 as of last week, according to data from the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Persons: Josh Green's, Sen, Brian Schatz, furloughs Organizations: Gov, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, West Maui

☆ Maui wildfires: Nearly 400 remain unaccounted for in Maui after deadly wildfires, FBI-curated list shows -- a big decline from prior estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Michelle Watson Kelly Mccleary Cheri Mossburg Anna-Maja Rappard Natasha Chen | Michelle Watson | Kelly Mccleary | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Search crews and cadaver dogs have searched 100% of single-story homes in the disaster area, Maui County officials said Tuesday. Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11. “Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County. Hawaiian Electric Company serves 95% of the state’s customer base. CNN has reached out to Maui County and the Maui Police Department for comment on Krau’s claims.

Persons: who’s, “, John Pelletier, Josh Green, geolocating, Steven Merrill, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, 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, Matthew Thayer, John Moore, it’s, Jim Kelly, ”, Darren Pai, “ inexcusably, John Fiske, ‘, Nicholas Krau, ” Krau, Krau Organizations: CNN, FBI, ” Police, ”, Analysis, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, ATF, Electric, National Weather Service, Watch, State of Hawaii Organization of Police, Maui Police Department Locations: Maui, Maui County, ” Hawaii, Lahaina –, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Olinda

☆ Many Maui restaurants were destroyed in the fires. For those that survived, their future remains uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

An aerial view of destruction on Front Street on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. In Lahaina, a historic area and popular tourist destination that was hit particularly hard by the fires, restaurants are big business. Restaurants are an important part of the tourism sector, which is responsible for 75% of all private-sector jobs in Maui. Their restaurants survived, but their future is uncertain. In Kula, about an hour’s drive from Lahaina, fires damaged the Kula Sandalwoods Inn & Cafe, which has been in Monica Loui’s family for decades.

Persons: Qiana Di, Di Bari, ”, Di Bari’s, Pepe, …, Di, ” Di Bari, Justin Sullivan, Baris, Sheryl Matsuoka, They’re, Javier Barberi, Barberi, Robert Gauthier, Barberi couldn’t, Hana Hou, “, it’s, Monica Loui’s, you’re, ” Loui, she’s, Caleb Hopkins, We’re, Hopkins, he’s, “ We’re, Hou Hospitality, Josh Green’s, Hawaii Josh Green, Rick Bowmer, Barry Allison, Kihei, we’ve, —, Catherine Thorbecke Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii Restaurant Association, Los Angeles Times, Hawaii Gov, FEMA, ” Locations: New York, Maui, Qiana Di Bari, Lahaina, Italian, Di Bari, Lahaina , Hawaii, United States, Kahului, “, Kula, Loui’s, GoFundMe, Hawaii

Loeffler fears a land grab on Maui would mean the loss of Hawaiian culture. Affordable housing advocates such as Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) are calling for a moratorium on foreclosures. At stake is the survival of Hawaiian culture, said Kaliko Baker, an associate professor at the University of Hawaii. "If people buy land and build their own Lahaina does that include Hawaiian language schools?" Loeffler plans to rebuild her plantation-style family home with insurance money so Lahaina can again "look like Lahaina."

Persons: Deborah Loeffler, Liliana Salgado, Loeffler, Josh Green, Marlena, Sterling Higa, Andrew Rumbach, Kaliko Baker, Baker, Sam, Andrew Hay, Rachel Nostrant, Daniel Trotta, Jonathan Allen, Donna Bryson, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii Alliance, Progressive, Consumer, Reuters, Housing, Urban Institute, University of Hawaii, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Kaanapali, Hawaii, U.S, Maui, Paradise , California, New Mexico, Maui County, Oklahoma City, Florida, Honolulu, Washington, Loeffler, Taos , New Mexico

☆ Biden to visit fire-ravaged Maui on Monday as search efforts continue, with more than 800 people still missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Biden is planning to name a senior federal emergency official to oversee long-term recovery efforts during his visit. Josh Green, Biden sought to ensure the large footprint required for a presidential visit would not obstruct ongoing response and recovery efforts. “If President Biden could just teleport himself over, he would’ve come here in five seconds,” Green said at a news conference last week. Bob Fenton, an experienced disaster response official, will serve as the chief federal response coordinator. During the visit, Biden plans to reassure residents that the federal government will support their recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said Sunday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Biden’s, curt “, Biden couldn’t, Josh Green, ” Biden, “, ” Green, “ I’ve, Jill Biden, Bob Fenton, Fenton, Deanne Criswell, “ He’s, ”, Criswell, Isabella Guzman, ” Guzman, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, ” Criswell Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Biden, FEMA, White, Federal Emergency Management, Union, US Small Business Administration, SBA Locations: Maui, Maui County, Delaware, Salt Lake City, Green, Lahaina, Hawaii, “ State

☆ Hawaii wildfires: Fights over water amid west Maui's charred ruins ignite new fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Wailuku, Hawaii CNN —On a Hawaiian tourist brochure, fire and water are selling points for a volcanic paradise where lava flows and waterfalls mist. “There has been a great deal of water conflict on Maui for many years,” Hawaii Gov. “It’s disaster capitalism at its finest.”A rushing canal is seen on Hokuao Pelligrino's family farm in Wailuku on Maui on August 20, 2023. After watching Pellegrino and his Wailuku community litigate their streams back to life, locals around Lahaina followed suit. You restore the water and families are going back to their ancestral land.”Hokuao Pellegrino poses for a portrait on August 20, 2023.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, ” Hokuao Pellegrino, “, ”, Evelio Contreras, Eha, Pellegrino, ’ ”, they’ll, Glenn Tremble, couldn’t, ” Pellegrino, Taro, Joe Biden’s Organizations: Hawaii CNN, ”, Maui Land Company, New York Times, CNN, West Maui Land Company Locations: Wailuku, Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, ” Hawaii, Venice, Hawaiian Kingdom, West Maui, Maui County

☆ Climate change and extreme weather, like Maui wildfires, are hurting affordable housing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

For people on Maui and across the US, climate change is making the affordable housing crunch even worse. “This is why they have been building these affordable housing buildings. It is a safe place, but it doesn’t feel like home.”Affordable housing picture on Maui was already ‘pretty grim’For people on Maui and across the US, climate change is making the affordable housing crunch even worse. But not fires damaging buildings and taking lives.”“The affordable housing picture was pretty grim on Maui even before the fire,” he said. “There was more than one kitchen, more than one family living there.”These types of cobbled-together solutions to affordable housing are now gone, as are other recent hard-won affordable housing projects.

Persons: Josh Green, Hannah Harris, Tony Ellett, ”, Harris, “, ” Harris, Ellett, Jae C, Shantal Catanach, Keanu, ” Catanach, she’s, Stan Franco, Franco, –, Diane Yentel, ” Yentel, Yentel, Hurricane Sandy, Sandy, Peter Niess, Justin Sullivan Organizations: DC CNN, Urban Institute, UN, University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, NOAA National Centers for Environmental, Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, Income Housing Coalition, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Hurricane, Maui Architectural Locations: Washington, Maui, Lahaina, Catanach, Maui County, Hawaii, Corelogic, Maui –, Lahaina , Hawaii

☆ As Maui rebuilds, residents reckon with tourism's role in their recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Maui Economic Development Board says tourism is "irrefutably" the economic engine of Maui, which saw 1.4 million visitors in just the first half of 2023. About 70% of every dollar generated in Maui can be attributed to tourism, according to the board. Yet as the island looks to rebuild, residents like Keahi wonder what role tourism should play in the long road ahead to recovery. "So if they're saying Maui is closed, then there are no tourists coming in, and then we lose our jobs." "We just wanted to stay out of the way," Bailey said, adding that he understands the local residents "need time."

Persons: Hawaii's, Kapali Keahi, Keahi, Rafael Villanueva, Villanueva, that's, " Villanueva, Josh Green, Julie Sumibtay, Sumibtay, Tom Bailey, Bailey Organizations: Maui Economic Development Board, Tourism Expert, Las Vegas Convention, Visitors Authority, Las, Las Vegas, Hawaii Gov Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Nahale St, Long, America, Las, West Maui, It's, Kihei, Sacramento, California, Kaanapali, Oahu

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. The western Maui community – once a lively economic and cultural hub – has been decimated by the wildfires that began tearing through the island on August 8. Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11. Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP In pictures: The deadly Maui wildfires Prev NextSports teams pitch in to helpWith the stark task ahead of rebuilding leveled communities, some sports teams are contributing to ongoing relief efforts. Proceeds from the game on October 29 in Champaign, Illinois, will be donated to the Hawai’i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund, which provides financial resources towards Maui’s recovery, according to the schools.

Persons: Josh Green, ” Green, Jaime Kanani Green, ”, “, they’ve, Tiare Lawrence, Green, he’s, Herman Andaya, Andaya, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, 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, Matthew Thayer, WNBA’s Sparks, Bill Self, Brad Underwood Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Maui’s Emergency Management Agency, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, Angeles, Angels, Dodgers, NFL’s Chargers, Rams, NBA’s Clippers, Lakers, NHL’s, Ducks, Angel City Football Club, LA Galaxy, University of Kansas, University of Illinois ’, Hawai’i, Strong, Maui Invitational Locations: Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, –, Maui County, Lahaina , Hawaii, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, “ Despite California, Southern California, NHL’s Kings, Champaign , Illinois, Kansas, Illinois

☆ The Maui wildfires already caused widespread damage in Lahaina, but more remains at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But despite the widespread damage in Lahaina, more remains at risk. As recovery efforts continue, Hawaii residents have urged tourists to stay away and slammed them for clogging roads and delaying supply deliveries. For example, one person made a viral spreadsheet of more than 1,000 verified Lahaina residents that included their stories, what they needed, and how to pay them directly. Many Lahaina residents in the spreadsheet detailed their needs for food, clothes, and shelter after losing everything in the fire. Despite his efforts, Green acknowledged that his move to protect local landowners would likely face legal challenges.

Persons: YUKI IWAMURA, they'd, Josh Green, Green, they'll, we're, it's, Rosalyn R Organizations: Developers, Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mercy Worldwide, Getty Locations: Lahaina, Wall, Silicon, Hawaii, Maui, AFP, Hawaiian Kingdom, Kihawahine

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 emergency chief resigns after defending decision to not activate sirens during wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In this image taken from video, Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya speaks during a news conference in Wailuku, Hawaii, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. The head of Maui County's emergency management agency resigned on Thursday, a day after he defended his decision to not activate sirens during catastrophic wildfires that have taken more than 100 lives. Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator Herman Andaya cited health reasons for his resignation, which took immediate effect. The inferno is the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century and the worst disaster in Hawaii state history. State and local emergency management officials face growing scrutiny over whether they did enough to alert the public as the wildfires spread.

Persons: Herman Andaya, Andaya, Richard Bissen, Bissen, Anne Lopez, Lopez, Josh Green, Green Organizations: Maui Emergency Management, Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Gov Locations: Maui, Wailuku, Hawaii, West Maui, Maui County, Lahaina, U.S

☆ Biden pledges U.S. support for Maui through wildfire recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

During his remarks, Biden highlighted the efforts of first responders - many of whom have been personally affected by the wildfires. Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation and meet with first responders, survivors and federal, state and local officials. Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics-- Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for as the death toll rose to 110. Maui officials have identified three others, but their names have been withheld pending family notification, Maui County said. Reuters Graphics-- Residents have been outraged by the tourists enjoying Maui's tropical beaches while search-and-rescue teams trawl ruins and ocean waters for victims of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin, Biden, Jill Biden, Herman Andaya, Andaya, Josh Green, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Laurie Allen, shouldn't, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, Julia Harte, Eric Beech, Daniel Trotta, Frank McGurty, Alistair Bell Organizations: Ingeteam Inc, REUTERS, America, Local, Emergency Management Agency, Officials, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Hawaii, Milwaukee, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, U.S, LAHAINA, Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Oahu, Chicago, New York, Washington, Carlsbad , California

☆ Fears of predatory land grabs mount in the ashes of Maui, opening old wounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The threat of predatory outsiders swooping in to buy up property under the ashes of Maui is sparking outrage and opening old wounds for locals. “And every time there’s a crisis, it accelerates.”Homes consumed in recent wildfires are seen in Lahaina, Hawaii, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Jae C. Hong/APA week after wildfires razed through west Maui, killing more than a hundred people and displacing thousands, locals are grieving and rallying together to take care of those who lost everything. It’s through these community-based efforts, Ing said, that the people of Maui will best find a way to equitably rebuild. An offering of flowers is left on the ground following the Maui fires in Lahaina, West Maui, Hawaii, August 16, 2023.

Persons: ”, Kaniela Ing, Jae C, insurrectionists, Queen Lili’uokalani, Sterling Higa, ” Higa, Justin Sullivan, Josh Green, don’t, he’s, ” Green, we’re, wrongdoers, ” Mana Moriarty, Ing, ” Ing, kanaka, Yuki Iwamura, Green, Higa, ” “, GoFundMe, “, “ That’s, it’s Organizations: CNN, Homes, Housing, “, Hawaii’s Department of Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Consumer, Green New Deal, Getty Locations: Maui, Hawaiian, Lahaina , Hawaii, American, Kingdom of Hawaii, United States, Lahaina, Hawaii, Lahaina , West Maui, AFP

☆ Maui wildfires made Hawaii's housing market crisis worse — residents already feared being priced out
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The wildfires that destroyed Lahaina last week exacerbated a housing crisis in Hawaii. Many Native Hawaiians and locals can't buy a home in Maui, where the average cost is $1 million. A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. Rick Bowmer/Associated PressHiga rents a home with his family in Haiku on the North Shore of Maui that was spared from the wildfires. He also serves on a working group that the governor convened in July after declaring Hawaii's affordable-housing shortage an emergency .

Persons: Josh Green of, he'd, Green, Sterling Higa, Higa, Rick Bowmer Organizations: Service, Maui, Gov, Housing, Press Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, Hawaiian, Josh Green of Hawaii, United States, Lahaina , Hawaii, Shore

☆ Hawaii tapping outside investigator as wildfire response scrutiny grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The photo taken with a mobile phone on Aug. 14, 2023 shows a vehicle destroyed in a wildfire in Lahaina town, Maui Island, Hawaii, the United States. Hawaii will hire an independent investigator to look into how state and local agencies responded to catastrophic wildfires that have left more than 100 people dead, the state attorney general said Thursday. "This will be an impartial, independent review," said Attorney General Anne Lopez in a statement. The investigator will be from a third-party, private organization with experience in emergency management, according to the attorney general's office. Green ordered the attorney general last week to launch a comprehensive review of the wildfires.

Persons: Anne Lopez, Josh Green, Green, Lopez Organizations: Hawaii Gov Locations: Lahaina, Maui Island, Hawaii, United States, West Maui

So far, at least 111 deaths have been confirmed in the wildfires, according to a release from Maui County. Names of other victims have been released by familiesFirefight continues : Crews are still battling the fires on Maui. “The people that were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes – 25 of our firefighters lost their homes,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said Wednesday. “They watched their homes burn as they fought the fire for other homes in their neighborhood,” she explained. “That is a scar that we will carry for a very long time.”Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.

Persons: John Pelletier, ” Pelletier, ”, Pelletier, Josh Green, CNN’s Wolf, “, Brenda Keau, ” Keau, Jeff Hickman, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ” Hickman, Melva Benjamin, Virginia Dofa, Alfredo Galinato, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Benjamin, Crews, Brad Ventura, ” Biden, Herman Andaya, would’ve, Matthew A, Foster, Richard Bissen, Aina Kohler, I’ve, Kohler, “ It’s, Jonny Varona, They’re, Wade Ebersole, it’s, who’s, ” Ebersole, ” Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Jae C, Patrick T, Fallon, Rick Bowmer, Justin Sullivan, Lauren Haley, Bryan Anselm, Makalea Ahhee, Yuki Iwamura, Mike Blake, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, 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, Matthew Thayer, Bob Marshall, ” Marshall, Marshall, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, ” Darren Pai Organizations: CNN, Maui Police, Authorities, Hawaii Gov, Hawaii Department of Defense, Fire, White House, Maui, Maui Emergency Management, Tuesday . U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, KITV, Maui Health, Maui Memorial Medical, New York Times, AP, FBI, Facility, Getty, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Reuters, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, Whisker Labs, Maui Bird Conservation Center, The Washington, Hawaiian Electric, CNN Sunday Locations: Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, Lahaina, Tuesday ., ”, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, AFP, Kula , Hawaii, Kaanapali, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Kahului, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, California, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Makawao, Western Maui

☆ Fire Exposes Flaws in Hawaii’s Defenses Against Climate Shocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Christopher Flavelle | More About Christopher Flavelle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Part of the problem is the sheer diversity of threats. “Hawaii is a leader among states in its approach to adaptation planning, particularly as it relates to sea level rise, extreme storms and infrastructure,” said Mark Rupp, adaptation program director for the Georgetown Climate Center in Washington. Josh Green of Hawaii issued an order that stops the state from adopting new or updated building standards. The governor said the move was necessary to address a severe housing shortage. Attempts to block tougher building codes in the name of affordability are common nationwide, even if it sacrifices safety, said Michele Steinberg, wildfire division director for the National Fire Protection Association.

Persons: ”, Mark Rupp, “, Josh Green, Michele Steinberg Organizations: Georgetown Climate Center, International Code Council, National Fire Protection Association Locations: Hawaii, Washington, California

☆ Maui officials defend decision not to sound sirens during wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Maui's emergency management chief on Wednesday defended his agency's decision against sounding sirens during last week's deadly wildfire amid questions about whether doing so might have saved lives. Herman Andaya, administrator of the Maui County Emergency Management Agency, said sirens in Hawaii are used to alert people to tsunamis. Because the sirens are primarily located on the waterfront, they would have been useless to people on higher ground, he said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green also defended the decision not to sound sirens. In other developments:[1/5]A Combined Joint Task Force 50 (CJTF-50) search, rescue and recovery member conducts search operations of areas damaged by Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S. August 15, 2023.

Persons: Herman Andaya, Andaya, Josh Green, Green, Matthew A, Foster, Handout, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Laurie Allen, shouldn't, Allen, Jonathan Allen, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Brendan O'Brien, Julia Harte, Eric Beech, Daniel Trotta, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: Emergency Management Agency, Force, U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, Oahu, Chicago, New York, Washington, Carlsbad , California

The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings. Many are housing their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first-responders working on disaster recovery, according to the tourism authority. "Maui is not closed," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at the weekend press conference alongside the governor. Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced a flood of criticism.

Persons: Mike Blake, Jason Momoa, Maui, Josh Green, Green, Ilihia Gionson, Richard Bissen, Jack Richards, Rich McKay, Doyinsola Oladipo, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, U.S . Census, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Los, Thomson Locations: Wahikuli, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, West Maui, Maui County, Wailea, South Maui, Los Angeles

☆ Hawaii governor warns developers against predatory land buying in devastated Lahaina
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A general view shows damage in the fire ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 15, 2023. Green said in a video statement Tuesday said the Hawaii state government is considering acquiring land in Lahaina "to protect it for our local people so it's not stolen by people on the mainland" U.S. The wildfires have devastated Lahaina, a town in Maui of about 13,000 people. The blaze is the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than century and the worst natural disaster in Hawaii state history. In the meantime, residents are worried that outside developers will swoop in to buy up the valuable land once the reconstruction process starts.

Persons: Josh Green, Green Organizations: Hawaii Gov Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, United States

☆ West Maui highway reopens but 'destruction zone' remains off limits
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Hawaii officials on Wednesday reopened a highway into West Maui to all motorists for the first time since last week's deadly wildfire, but the devastated town of Lahaina remained closed as the painstaking search for hundreds of missing dragged on. [1/2]Vehicles are seen in traffic on Honoapiilani Hwy after officials allowed residents and tourists back into West Maui after a wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Maui Fresh Streatery, a local business, urged people in a Facebook post to refrain from using the highway into town for sightseeing. "Let us allow this time for our Lahaina residents." As officials work to identify the deceased, stories about those who perished have emerged from loved ones.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Biden, Deanne Criswell, Criswell, Josh Green, Marco Garcia, Ma, Daisy, Daisy Ma, Kevin, Saane Tanaka, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler Organizations: Twitter, Wednesday Biden, U.S . Federal Emergency Management Administration, White, FEMA, REUTERS, New York Times, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, West Maui, Lahaina, Washington, Maui, charring, U.S, Chicago

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