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☆ The Hawaii Fires Didn’t Have to Be This Catastrophic - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Costas Synolakis | George Karagiannis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Maui officials said text alerts were sent out, but it’s unclear how many people received them (power and cellular disruptions may have prevented residents from getting these alerts). Many local residents have said that they didn’t know the flames were approaching until the fire was nearby. We know from New York Times reporting that by 5:19 p.m. the fire had reached the waterfront, and that by 5:33 people were seeking shelter in the water. If the text alerts were sent out at 4:17 p.m., that was at least 47 minutes too late. On Maui alone, firefighters were battling fires near Makawao and Kula when the Lahaina fire erupted, leaving the ranks depleted.

Organizations: New York Times Locations: Maui, Lahaina, County, Mati, Greece, Makawao, Kula, Europe, Hawaii

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

☆ 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

☆ Why Maui’s rebuilding effort will be so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

All told, doing business in Hawaii is about 30% more expensive than the cost of doing business in the rest of the United States, according to Moody Analytics. “Based on similar historical events, this is likely conservative, as building delays and supply and demand cause additional pressures on reconstruction costs,” said Verisk. Construction permitting generally takes longer in Hawaii than most mainland locations, said Jessica Leorna, CEO of the state’s Building Industry Association. That’s especially true for construction workers, who were in short supply even before the fires, according to the state’s Building Industry Association. And workers from elsewhere in the state or the Southeast could drive home on weekends,” he said.

Persons: ”, Beau Nobmann, Jae C, ” Jason Thies, Nobmann, Jessica Leorna, Jones, it’s, Adam Kamins, there’s, Ian, “ That’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Moody Analytics, HPM, Homes, Industry Association, Labor, Labor Department, state’s, Moody’s Analytics, Moody’s Locations: New York, Maui, United States, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Canada, Asia, West Coast, California, Washington, Hawaii’s, Florida

☆ On Maui, a perfect storm of climate, colonialism, and failed emergency systems made the deadliest US wildfire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Maiya Focht | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

A deadly wildfire raged through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina, killing at least 111 people, last week. Aerial view shows destroyed homes and buildings near Front Street in Lahaina Town on August 10, 2023. Colonialism: Plantations brought the perfect wildfire fuel, an invasive grassLahaina was once the capital of the indigenous Hawaiian kingdom. Smoke and flames rise in Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii, U.S., August 8, 2023 in this still image from video obtained from social media. A Mercy Worldwide volunteer makes damage assessment of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12, 2023.

Persons: Patrick T, Fallon, Jeff Masters, YUKI IWAMURA, Clay Trauernicht, Erin Hawk, We've, Abby Frazier, PATRICK T, FALLON, Dora, Dora didn't, Judson Jones, Jeff Melichar, didn't, Anne Lopez, Herman Andaya Organizations: Service, Getty, Yale, Washington Post, Plantations, Hawaii Public Radio, University of Hawaii, Maui . Flames, Reuters, Clark University, New York Times, REUTERS, ABC7, Mercy Worldwide Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Lahaina Town, Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, AFP

☆ Spam donates 5 truckloads of beloved canned meat in response to Maui fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Chris Boyette | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The makers of Spam, saying that their “special relationship with the Hawaiian community spans decades,” have donated over 264,000 cans to aid the disaster-relief efforts on Maui, the company said in a press release. “Three truckloads of Spam products are on their way to the impacted areas with two more trucks following,” Hormel Foods, the company that owns Spam, said. It’s stacked on a block of rice and wrapped in seaweed to make Spam musubi, and sold at fast-food chains like McDonald’s in Hawaii. Hormel Foods said it has also developed a “Spam Brand loves Maui” t-shirt, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Aloha United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund. Spam was first introduced to Asia-Pacific during World War II, a welcome substitute to meat that was increasingly becoming unaffordable or simply unavailable in the conflict-wracked region.

Persons: ”, “, ” Stacy Lamb, Spam Organizations: CNN, Convoy, Hormel, Aloha United, Maui Fire Relief Fund Locations: Maui, Hope, Hawaii, Waikiki, Asia

☆ Biden campaign plans first big push - skewer the Republican debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

They plan to placard Milwaukee with advertisements listing Biden's "record of accomplishments," while a billboard truck will circle the debate venue. Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond and Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Jaime Harrison will hold a press conference before the debate. Biden's low-key re-election campaign has so far largely avoided public rallies and events, with Biden focusing largely on fundraising and the presidency. A slow start to an incumbent's presidential re-election campaign is not unusual: Barack Obama held his first official rally for the 2012 election in May of that year. Biden won the state by less than a percentage point in 2020; Trump won Wisconsin by a similar margin in 2016.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Biden, Cedric Richmond, Jaime Harrison, Harris, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Barack Obama, Black, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Ingeteam Inc, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Democratic, Fox News, Trump, Milwaukee, Biden, Democratic National Committee, Biden's Democratic Party, Wisconsin, Thomson Locations: Hawaii, Milwaukee, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, U.S, Wisconsin

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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Maui's 'one big family' of locals rally to aid of wildfire victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"We're all one big family in Maui, we call it 'ohana'," said Romero, a 55-year-old retired battalion chief for the island's fire department. While the fires were still burning, residents of nearby Moloka'i skimmed over the narrow strait on jet skis to unload donations on Maui beaches. Firefighters have flown in from Oahu on their own dime to help with relief efforts, Romero said. A nearby veterinary clinic had set up a stand where victims of the fires can bring ailing pets. "If we keep it bottled up inside we're not going to be able to move forward."

Persons: Marco Garcia, Uilani, Louis Romero, Romero, Kapu, Labo, George Vanyi, Jonathan Allen, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Liliana Salgado, Andrew Hay, Sharon Bernstein, Colleen Jenkins, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Hawaii, REUTERS, Maui, FEMA, Firefighters, Cross, U.S . Department of Veteran Affairs, Ritz, Carlton, Walmart, Thomson Locations: Maui, Honolulu , Hawaii, U.S, LAHAINA, Hawaii, West Maui, Lahaina, Moloka'i, Oahu, Napili

☆ Fact Check-Video of flames in street shows Cleveland, Ohio not Maui
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of flames being blown across a street by heavy winds is not related to the August 2023 Maui fires, contrary to claims online. The clip dates from 2022 and shows a fire in Cleveland, Ohio. Reuters geolocated the video to Cleveland, Ohio. A YouTube video titled “Cleveland Flat Mulch Bed Fire” posted on June 18, 2022 by the licensing platform ViralHog shows the same scene in higher definition (here) (timestamp 1:04-1:27). The video showing flames and smoke being blown by heavy winds is from a fire in Ohio.

Persons: Read Organizations: Reuters, Facebook, Google Locations: Maui, Cleveland , Ohio, United States, Ohio

☆ Maui wildfires: At least 106 were killed and identifying all of them will be difficult, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Only five of the 106 dead had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Maui County officials. Family members of missing people had provided 41 DNA samples, trying to see whether their loves ones are among the dead, county officials said. Green told CNN Tuesday he hopes “much of it will be done” by the weekend. Dominick Del Vecchio/Reuters• Some victims are named: Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina, were killed, Maui County officials said Tuesday. Hawaii’s attorney general will spearhead a review of decisions that officials made in response to the wildfires, her office has said.

Persons: Hawaii’s, Josh Green, Green, “ We’re, “, we’re, ”, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Del Vecchio, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, we’ll, who’s, ” Green, • Biden, Biden, Dang, ” Dang, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Kula, Ross Hart, Maui’s upcountry, Hart, ” Hart, CNN they’ve, Jace Kennedy Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Authorities, US Department of Health, Human Services, FEMA, Reuters, •, Lahaina’s Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, •, Upper Kula, upcountry, Kula, Maui’s

The new lawsuit, first obtained by NBC News, alleges that Hawaiian Electric helped set the stage for the monstrous wildfires last week. The plaintiffs allege years of inaction and negligence by the utility company, and argue that the firm should have had plans in place to shut down power systems before fierce winds blew across Hawaii. "Hawaiian Electric is not just responsible and they weren't just negligent," said Mikal Watts, a lead attorney on the case. Hawaiian Electric Company declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, saying that would violate an internal policy. Darren Pai, a spokesperson for the company, said Hawaiian Electric was aware of the allegations but remained focused on restoring power to Maui.

Persons: Mikal Watts, Darren Pai, Watts, Pai Organizations: NBC News, Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Maui, California, Lahaina

☆ Maui wildfires: Woman says her husband is 'broken' by loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Waiehu, Hawaii CNN —Two days before the Maui inferno, Brenda Keau’s husband Tony called his mom for a chat. The elderly woman’s home in Lahaina is gone, destroyed in the wildfires that swept across the Hawaiian island last week. And I don’t like seeing him like that because my husband is strong, loving,” Keau said. So I’m talking for him.”Keau said she feared arson when she saw smoke rising from the hills of upcountry Maui, from her home in Waiehu, in the north of the island on August 8. Evelio Contreras/CNNInland from Keau’s home, in the upcountry hills where she saw the smoke, a wildfire is still only 60% contained.

Persons: Brenda Keau’s, Tony, ” Keau, he’s, “, Evelio Contreras, ”, Keau, it’s, It’s, Kalopodes, Merrill Kalopodes, “ I’ve, ” Kalopodes Organizations: Hawaii CNN, CNN Investigations, CNN Inland, Maui County Fire Department, Volunteer, CNN Locations: Waiehu, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, upcountry Maui, Maui's upcountry, Maui County, Kula, Oahu

☆ Sen. Dianne Feinstein says she's being cut out of millions from her husband's estate in an act of 'financial elder abuse'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dianne Feinstein alleges that the trustees for her husband's estate have engaged in "financial elder abuse." Katherine Feinstein, who filed the suit on behalf of her mother, alleges that Feinstein is being cut out of millions. Katherine Feinstein, a former San Francisco judge, filed the suit on behalf of her mother. In a previous suit, Katherine Feinstein alleged that the trust was not moving quickly enough to sell the Stinson Beach house. Katherine Feinstein concedes that the trust has never denied one of Feinstein's requests, but characterizes this claim as "misleading."

Persons: Dianne Feinstein, Katherine Feinstein, Feinstein, Richard Blum's, Sen, Dianne Feinstein's, Feinstein's, Blum, Michael Klein, Marc Scholvinck, Verett Mims, Klein, Scholvinck, Steven P, Braccini Organizations: Service, San Francisco Chronicle, California Democrat, San Francisco, D.C, Stinson, Claremont Locations: Wall, Silicon, California, San Francisco, Washington, Kauai, Berkeley , California, Feinstein's

☆ How a Small Group of Firms Changed the Math for Insuring Against Natural Disasters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Emily Flitter | More About Emily Flitter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As disasters like the wildfires that devastated the Hawaiian town of Lahaina and the storms that tore apart roofs from Alabama to Massachusetts last week intensify, insurance companies have pulled back from offering coverage in certain areas or cut the kinds of damage they will pay to repair. A little-noticed slice of the financial industry that provides insurance to insurers, called reinsurance, has helped drive the changes. These companies promise to step in with cash — usually huge amounts — when something like a hurricane, wildfire or other big disaster creates damage that is too costly and widespread for insurance companies to pay for on their own. And at the beginning of the year, nearly all of them raised prices. That led to a flurry of tense negotiations between those insurers and firms, like Swiss Re, Odyssey Re and other reinsurers, many of whom are headquartered outside of the United States.

Persons: reinsurers Organizations: Farmers, Swiss Locations: Lahaina, Alabama, Massachusetts, United States, Canada

☆ Opinion | Maui and the Age of the Urban Firestorm
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( David Wallace-Wells | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

It wasn’t even really a wildfire. In general, we’ve long believed the built environment offered formidable firebreaks, and worried over what might be lost when fires passed near homes as a form of tragic collateral damage. As of Tuesday, the official death toll in Maui was 99, but almost 1 percent of all residents remained unaccounted for, and many locals were suggesting the death toll could increase significantly in the days ahead. A climate lawsuit launched by the island against Big Oil in 2020 specifically cited additional wildfire risk. But still, when the fire broke out, almost no one seemed adequately prepared.

Persons: Daniel Swain, Tubbs, Marshall, Chuck, Swain Organizations: Costco, New York, Big Oil Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Santa Rosa, Calif, Paradise, Boulder County, Colo, New, Maui

☆ 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

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

☆ Biden to visit Hawaii on Monday, meet with wildfire survivors -White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about his intention to visit Hawaii as soon as possible, and federal assistance in dealing with the Hawaii wildfires, while delivering remarks during a visit to Ingeteam Inc.’s Milwaukee facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey damage from the deadly wildfires that ravaged the resort town of Lahaina, the White House said. Biden will meet with first responders and survivors, as well as federal, state and local officials, the White House said in a statement. Reporting by Rami Ayyub; editing by Susan HeaveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Jill Biden, Biden, Rami Ayyub, Susan Heavey Organizations: Ingeteam Inc, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Hawaii, Milwaukee, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, U.S, Lahaina

It was moments later when she caught a glimpse of smoke in the distance. At first it was a wisp, but within minutes it had grown thicker, rippling down the hillside on violent winds. Ms. Denton Fuqua, 32, and her husband were worried. They grabbed a few essentials and prepared to leave in their cars. “People were just like, ‘Oh, are you heading out?’ Ms. Denton Fuqua recalled.

Persons: Chelsea Denton Fuqua, Denton Fuqua, —, Ms, “ Organizations: Chelsea Locations: Lahaina, Maui

☆ Tourists lost their summer vacations. Maui’s locals lost everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. CNN Business Writer Catherine Thorbecke (center) with her late grandparents in Lahaina, Hawaii, circa 2013. People looking down to downtown Lahaina from Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 13, 2023. A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.

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