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A tropical storm warning was issued Friday for Hawaii’s Big Island as the storm known as Hone approached with 50 mph winds, forecasters said. Tropical Storm Hone is forecast to pass near or south of the island Saturday night into early Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning was issued for Hawaii County, and swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents across the island chain on Saturday, the agency said. Hawaii’s Big Island could see around 10 inches of rain, the hurricane center said in a 5 p.m. local time (11 p.m. There are no coastal watches or warnings in place because of that storm, named Hurricane Gilma.

Persons: Hone, Storm Hone, Gilma Organizations: National Hurricane Center, Emergency Management Agency Locations: Hawaii County, Hilo, Hone

Even if you don't fly British Airways, you can get far with the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. British Airways Credit Card Benefits10% discount on British Airways flights from the USBritish Airways Visa Signature® Card members can save 10% on British Airways flights departing the US — which basically means flights to London. Visa Signature benefitsAs a Visa Signature card, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card offers access to the Visa Signature Concierge for help with things like hard-to-get restaurant reservations or theater tickets. British Airways Credit Card Annual Fee and Other CostsThe British Airways Visa Signature® Card has a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Methodology: How we reviewed the British Airways Visa Signature CardThe credit card team at Business Insider compared the British Airways Visa Signature® Card to other travel and airline credit cards with similar annual fees.

Persons: shouldn't, I've, you've, Chase, Hilton, it's, It's, you'll, BA's Organizations: British Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Aer Lingus, Aer, British Airways Visa, FDIC, British, Chase, Chase British Airways, United, Hyatt, Airways, American, Delta, JetBlue, Hilton . American Express, Cathay Pacific, US British Airways, Card British Airways, Chase Travel, Capital, DoorDash, Venture, Business Locations: Cathay Pacific, Iberia, London, Aer Lingus, Hawaii, West Coast, Dublin, East, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Cancun, Miami, Nassau, Bahamas, North America, British, Europe, Asia, Auckland , New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Oakland , Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, East Coast, Shannon, Ireland, Boston, Hartford , New York, Newark, Toronto, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Washington, Aer

☆ 4 Gen Zers on track for financial independence explain the mix of passive income, businesses, and sacrifices it took to get there
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Four Gen Z Americans told Business Insider they've followed the principles of the FIRE — financial independence, retire early — movement to achieve a high net worth before their 30th birthdays. But all four emphasized that their sacrifices and risks earlier in life may be the key to their financial stability down the road. Cody Berman, entrepreneur and "passive income expert"Cody Berman hit financial independence at 25 but continues to help others achieve their financial goals. Courtesy of Cody BermanCody Berman, 28, hit financial freedom at 25 but has no plans to retire early. His net worth is about $2.8 million, but he drives a 2015 Nissan truck approaching 100,000 miles.

Persons: —, Gen Z, they've, Cody Berman, Cody Berman Cody Berman, Berman, I'm, " Berman, Bosch, Louis, Roth, Amber Smith, Amber Smith Amber Smith, Smith, she's, Cory Sarkisian, Sarkisian, They've Organizations: Service, Transamerica Center, Retirement Studies, Business, Boeing, Navy, Nissan, Gold City Ventures, Bosch, eBay, Honda Civic, Roth IRA, Savings Locations: St, California, West Des Moines, San Diego, Hawaii, Connecticut, New Zealand

☆ Allied P-8 Poseidon crew shares what it was like hunting down and torpedoing a US Navy nuclear submarine in big Pacific drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe crew of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft shared their experiences tracking a US Navy nuclear submarine and dropping training torpedoes on it off the coast of Hawaii last Wednesday. The P-8A Poseidon, which succeeded the older P-3 Orion, usually serves in a surveillance and deterrence role. Australian Defence Force photo by Royal Australian Air Force Imagery Specialist Corporal Adam AbelaThe submarine targeted was the US Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754). 11 Squadron during an anti-submarine warfare training mission with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, Hawaiian Islands. Australian Defence Force photo by Royal Australian Air Force Imagery Specialist Corporal Adam Abela"We dropped sonobuoys to determine the track of the submarine," No.

Persons: —, it's, CPL Brendan King, Zachary Sellman, Adam Abela, Adam Fraser, sonobuoys, Tristan Hull, Hull, Eric Morant Organizations: Service, Royal Australian Air Force, US, Business, US Navy, Air Force, Squadron, CPL, Joint Base, Australian Defence Force, Fleet, Hawaiian Islands . Australian Defence Force, Tactical, Squadron Tactical Locations: Hawaii, Australian, Hickam, US Navy Los Angeles, Topeka, Los Angeles, Hawaiian Islands, NATO, Russian, Baltic, Cuba

☆ 4 Gen Zers share how they're already on pace to retire early — though some don't want to
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Four Gen Z Americans told Business Insider they've followed the principles of the FIRE — financial independence, retire early — movement to achieve a high net worth before their 30th birthdays. Some said they don't intend on following the "retire early" part of the acronym and instead want to pursue their passions while making money doing so. Cody Berman, entrepreneur and "passive income expert"Cody Berman hit financial independence at 25 but continues to help others achieve their financial goals. Courtesy of Cody BermanCody Berman, 28, hit financial freedom at 25 but has no plans to retire early. His net worth is about $2.8 million, but he drives a 2015 Nissan truck approaching 100,000 miles.

☆ A Southwest flight took off from a closed runway, forcing workers to clear out
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Gregory Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Airport employees in Portland, Maine, were forced to clear out of the way when a Southwest Airlines jet on the morning of June 25 took off from a closed runway, according to air traffic control recordings. Controllers and pilots warned the crew of Southwest 4805 several times that the runway was closed, the recordings made by LiveATC.net show. “There’s an airport vehicle,” one voice warned over the radio. The Boston controller later told Southwest they departed three minutes before the runway reopened. The tower controller told the workers over the radio that he knew “you were on the runway and had to exit” because of the takeoff.

Persons: Said, “ Organizations: CNN — Airport, Southwest Airlines, National Transportation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, Portland International, Southwest, ”, FAA, CNN, NTSB Locations: Portland , Maine, Boston, Oklahoma City

☆ I was born and raised in Honolulu. Here are 7 things I wish tourists knew before they visited Hawaii.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jennifer Adams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Here are seven things I wish people knew before they visited Hawaii so they can be educated, more responsible tourists. In fact, according to census data obtained in September 2023, more Native Hawaiians live on the mainland than in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii used to be its own kingdom until the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrownBefore becoming the 50th state, Hawaii was a thriving sovereign nation. In Hawaii, 'aloha' has a much deeper meaning than 'hello'You may know that "aloha" is used as a greeting to mean "hello" or "goodbye." So, if you do plan on visiting Hawaii, it's important to also have aloha for the land and its people.

Persons: —, Jennifer Adams, Queen Liliuoukalani, Linka A Odom Organizations: Service, Business, Tourism, CBS Locations: Honolulu, Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Hawaiian

☆ Water frost detected on Mars volcanoes in ‘unexpected’ first
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“Based on rough estimates, it’s about 150,000 metric tons of water ice, the equivalent of 60 Olympic swimming pools,” he said. The volcanoes are near the Mars equator, the warmest area of the planet, which makes a water discovery particularly intriguing, Valantinas said. “Mars is a desert planet, but there’s water ice in the polar caps, and there’s water ice in the midlatitudes. Now we also have water frost in the equatorial regions, and equatorial regions are quite dry in general. “If the frost on these volcanoes is confirmed to be water (and not carbon dioxide), it would be surprising,” he said.

Persons: Adomas Valantinas, ”, Ceraunius, Valantinas, CaSSIS, ” Valantinas, “, Mars, John Bridges, ” Bridges, Taylor Perron, Cecil, Ida Green, Perron Organizations: CNN, Olympus, NASA, JPL, Brown University, University of Bern, Nature Geoscience, University of Bern’s, European Space Agency, Orbiter, ESA Mars Express, Stereo, Mars, ESA, University of Leicester, Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: —, Mauna Loa, Hawaii, Switzerland, Ascraeus, Russian, CaSSIS, United Kingdom

☆ I grew up in Hawaii and travel to Kauai every year — here's my ultimate guide to exploring the Garden Isle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Sarah Etinas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've spent most of my life living on the island of Oahu, under an hour's flight from Kauai. Here's my guide on everything to do on the island, whether you're a first-time or return visitor. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAs the geologically oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai has had quite a lot of time to refine its natural beauty. And since Kauai is just a 40-minute flight away, my family and I have taken countless trips there over the years.

Persons: I've, — Organizations: Service Locations: Oahu, Kauai, Waimea

☆ California Braces for Back-To-Back Atmospheric River Storms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The first of the back-to-back storms, both products of vast airborne currents of dense moisture called atmospheric rivers, was expected to hit Northern California on Wednesday and sweep over the Southern California coast on Thursday. Some roadways and streams could flood in Southern California on Thursday, though major bouts of inundation are less likely, according to Swain. "Suffice it to say there will be some flooding in Southern California," Swain said. A series of about a dozen atmospheric river storms lashed California in rapid succession last winter, causing mass evacuations, power outages, levee breaches and road closures in a state long preoccupied with drought and wildfires. The latest storms are expected to help improve the state's water supply picture, which is lagging at below-average levels so far this winter.

Persons: Steve Gorman, Daniel Swain, Swain, Lincoln Organizations: ANGELES, Reuters, University of California, National Weather Service Locations: California, Northern California, Southern California, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, Swain, Diego, Ventura County

☆ Pentagon says it created more hoops to jump through on AI weapons to calm fears it was 'building killer robots in the basement'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The update was partially to assure people that DoD wasn't "building killer robots in the basement," a senior official said. The US and some of its adversaries are making rapid progress on AI weapons, with lots of controversy in the mix. Last year, DoD updated its directive on autonomy in weapons systems, which was originally published back in 2012. AdvertisementThe move reflects the US' growing interest and progress in developing AI weapons systems. Other nations, however, had hoped to use the UN as a platform to propose restrictions and limit how autonomous weapons operate.

Persons: —, Kathleen Kicks, Dominic Garcia, William Pugh, Michael C, Horowitz, isn't, Henry M, Jackson, Devin M, Langer, Tiffany Price, Khalil Hashmi, Hicks Organizations: Defense Department, DoD, Service, Pentagon, of Defense, Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, Defense for Force Development, Center for Strategic, International Studies, AI, Technologies, Strategic, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Tyndall Air Force Base, United Nations, New York Times, UN, The Times Locations: China, La, Ukraine, Fla, United, Russia, Australia, Israel, Pakistan

☆ Alaska Airlines says it's buying Hawaiian Airlines in $1.9 billion deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines planes takeoff at the same time from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, United States on June 21, 2023. Alaska Airlines has agreed to acquire its rival Hawaiian Airlines in a deal valued at about $1.9 billion, as the companies make a push to expand along the West Coast. The combined company will be based in Seattle, where Alaska Airlines is headquartered, and led by its CEO, Ben Minicucci. "With the additional scale and resources that this transaction with Alaska Airlines brings, we will be able to accelerate investments in our guest experience and technology, while maintaining the Hawaiian Airlines brand," Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, said in the release. The combination will allow Alaska Airlines to triple nonstop or one-stop flights from the Hawaiian islands to destinations throughout North America.

Persons: Ben Minicucci, Peter Ingram, Minicucci Organizations: Hawaiian Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, Alaska Airlines, North America . Alaska Airlines, Airlines Locations: Alaska, San Francisco , California, United States, West Coast, Seattle, North America, Hawai'i, Maui

☆ OpenAI CEO Sam Altman went on an 18-month, $85 million real-estate shopping spree — including a previously unknown Hawaii estate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Katherine Long | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AdvertisementYears before the recent drama at OpenAI turned CEO Sam Altman into a household name, the former Y Combinator president went on an extraordinary 18-month, $85 million real-estate shopping spree, according to records reviewed by Business Insider — including a previously unreported $43 million Hawaii estate on land that locals describe as historically significant. AdvertisementSam Altman's Hawaii estate is immediately adjacent to the reconstruction of the royal temple of King Kamehameha I. Maxar TechnologiesA $43 million estate in HawaiiIn July 2021, Altman bought a twelve-bedroom estate in Kailua-Kona, on the big island of Hawaii, for $43 million. Altman's purchase of the Hawaii property has not been previously reported. AdvertisementAnnie had been unaware that her oldest brother owned property in Hawaii until Business Insider asked her about it, she said. A $27 million San Francisco homeAltman's weekday residence is a home on San Francisco's Russian Hill that was once described — inaccurately — as the most expensive home in San Francisco.

Persons: Sam Altman, Altman, —, OpenAI, he's, He's, Sam Altman's, King Kamehameha I, King Kamehameha, Jennifer Serralta, Serralta, Jack, Max, — Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Marc Benioff, Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, Annie Altman, Annie, Sam's, Napa Altman, Cade Metz, Bob Dickinson Organizations: Service, Business, Bloomberg Tech Summit, Wall Street Journal, YouTube, Altman, LinkedIn, Apollo, Opportunity Fund, Silicon Valley, Business Insider, San, SEC, 9Point Ventures, Uncommon Ventures, New York Times, Capital Management, San Francisco Chronicle, New Yorker, Israeli Defense Force, Tesla Locations: San Francisco, Napa, Hawaii, Napa , California, Sam Altman's Hawaii, Kailua, Kona, wakesurfing, Kauai, Lanai, San, Russian, California, Hollywood, Big Sur

But within 12 hours, Lahaina was consumed. Robert ArconadoFROM GRASS FIRE TO INFERNOBefore the fire, a major forecast model used by the National Weather Service predicted a dire situation in Lahaina, according to data analyzed by The Times, with projected hurricane-force gusts of up to 76 miles per hour. OAHU MAUI Lahaina HAWAII OAHU MAUI Lahaina HAWAII Forecast wind gusts Aug. 8, 4 a.m. 0 76 m.p.h. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationBut rather than highlighting the risks in Lahaina, the weather service issued a broad warning for all the Hawaiian islands, and that warning never made reference to the 76 m.p.h. Instead, the initial warning to the public said gusts could be over 65 m.p.h., and that number was later lowered to around 60 m.p.h.

Persons: Robert Arconado, Cliff Organizations: National Weather Service, The Times, University of Washington Locations: Lahaina, OAHU MAUI Lahaina HAWAII OAHU MAUI Lahaina HAWAII

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — For people around the world, the green leaves that sprouted from a scorched, 150-year-old banyan tree in the heart of devastated Lahaina symbolized hope following Maui’s deadly wildfire this summer. Before colonialism, commercial agriculture and tourism, thousands of breadfruit trees dotted Lahaina; the fire charred all but two of the dozen or so that remained. By contrast, researchers believe breadfruit and kukui nut — now the state tree of Hawaii — were among the many edible plants Polynesian voyagers brought around 1,000 years ago. Efforts to revive the banyan and other important surviving trees have included trucking in water, applying compost extract and testing soil. But replanting breadfruit in urban areas comes with challenges, said Steve Nimz, an arborist on Oahu who has been helping restore Lahaina’s trees.

Persons: landscapers, ”, Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, King Kamehameha, ulu, ” Kekona, Lahaina’s, replanting, Steve Nimz, “, Hokuao Pellegrino, ” Pellegrino, replant, Pellegrino, he's, reintegrating breadfruit, ___ Komenda Organizations: University of Hawaii, Development Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Lahaina, ulu, Maui, Manoa, U.S, India, Lele, Hilo, Lincoln, Oahu, Waikapu, West Maui, “, Tacoma , Washington

☆ Parts of West Maui to reopen to tourists on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Parts of West Maui are still on track to begin a phased reopening to tourists starting Sunday, October 8 – but the action comes with some controversy. ET Friday, the phased reopening was still on schedule according to the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau and the office of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen. Here’s where things stand for the tourism-reliant island heading into the weekend:What’s opening on MauiAreas of West Maui – including Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, Honokōwai and Kapalua – are part of the reopening, according the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau. “We advise travelers to check with the individual accommodations in West Maui for their reopening plans,” the Visitors Bureau said. Also, other Hawaiian islands – Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawai‘i Island – have been welcoming visitors all along.

Persons: Josh Green, Richard Bissen, Carlton Maui, Kahana Villa Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Hawai‘i Visitors, Convention Bureau, Visitors, Convention, Ritz, Carlton, Kahana, Hyatt, Visitors Bureau, Bureau Locations: West Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Maui, Kapalua, Mahinahina, Royal Lahaina, ”, “ County

The high-quality video includes the official identification of the Akagi, while also providing new clues about the final hours of the aircraft carriers. “I just hated to see my ship torn up like that.”All three aircraft carriers were found previously, the Yorktown in 1998 and the Japanese ships four years ago. Besides sinking the Akagi, the Kaga and two other Japanese aircraft carriers, U.S. forces shot down more than 250 Japanese airplanes. When ordered to abandon ship, Taylor jumped overboard and tried to swim to a nearby destroyer, U.S.S. “I was really upset because I loved that ship,” Taylor said.

Persons: Akagi, Kaga, Julian Hodges, ” Hodges, “, —, Bob Ballard, ” Daniel Wagner, it’s, Michael Leggins, Hodges, Robert Taylor, Taylor, Hans Van Tilburg, ”, Balch, Wagner, “ Nobody’s, ” Taylor, ” ___ Thiessen Organizations: Pacific, Imperial Japanese Navy, Yorktown, Ocean Exploration, Papahānaumokuākea, Northwestern, Ocean Exploration Trust, Associated Press, Nautilus, Midway, U.S . Pacific Fleet, Navy, AP, National Oceanic, Marine Sanctuaries Locations: U.S, . Yorktown, Yorktown, Northwestern Hawaiian, Honolulu, “, videoconference, Midway, Asia, Johnson City , Tennessee, Auburndale , Florida, Anchorage , Alaska

☆ The 9 locations around the world where sharks attack most, from Florida to Western Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The risk of being bitten by a shark is low, and deaths from a shark attack are rare. Insider has taken a look at the locations where the most shark attacks occur across the globe. Insider has taken a look at some of the major shark attack hot spots around the world, from Australia to the Bahamas. The ISAF says that the US tops the charts for "confirmed unprovoked" shark attacks since 1580, with a recorded 1,604 incidents. Peter Unger/Getty ImagesA woman was killed in a second fatal shark attack in the area of Plettenberg Bay in 2022.

Persons: —, Walt Harden, Mark Sumersett, I've, Simon Nellist, Peter Unger, Kimon Bisogno, Sara Andreotti, Pawel Toczynski, Kim Mahbouli, Alexis Rosenfeld, Katarina Zarutskie Organizations: Service, Sunshine State, Florida, ISAF, Australia Australia, New, CNN, Getty, South, Palmetto State, Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Government, New York Times, South Africa's Stellenbosch University, CBS News, Smithsonian Magazine, Daily Star, BBC Locations: Florida, Australia, Bahamas, Florida Florida, Smyrna Beach , Florida, Volusia County, ISAF, New Smyrna, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Little Bay, Sydney, Hawaii, Pacific, South Carolina, Sea Pines, Hilton, Carolina, North Carolina, South Africa, California, Africa, Plettenberg Bay, Plettenberg, France, London, Brazil Brazil, Brazil, Caribbean, American

☆ Deep-sea explorers captured the first ever photos of a long-lost Japanese shipwreck from World War II's Battle of Midway
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A team led by the Ocean Exploration Trust also assessed two other wrecks from the Battle of Midway. AdvertisementAdvertisementResearchers used a remotely operated vehicle to reach the shipwreck, which lies more than 5,400 meters beneath the ocean's surface, Van Tilburg said. Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAAThe Japanese lost more than 3,000 men during the fight, while the US lost a little more than 350. Ocean Exploration TrustViewers following along at home included people whose family members served on the ships and helped build the vessels, Cook said. We have been friends with Japan before and after the war much longer than the period where we've been adversaries," Van Tilburg said.

Persons: Hans Van Tilburg, Van Tilburg, Akagi, Megan Cook, Cook, we've Organizations: Ocean Exploration, US, Service, Google, NOAA's, Marine Sanctuaries, Akagi, Exploration Trust, NOAA, Ocean Exploration Trust, Nautilus, Imperial Japanese, Heritage Command, Exploration Locations: Midway, Japan, Wall, Silicon, Yorktown

David Minkin, an attorney for Maui County, told Reuters that only a small portion, if any, of its land was involved in the blaze. Wildfire victims have struggled over the years to hold landowners liable, even for fires ignited on their property. Rick Linkert, a California attorney who specializes in defending wildfire cases, said it may not be easy for Wells' legal team to show negligence. They would have to demonstrate there was an accepted standard for managing grasslands and that the landowners ignored it, he said. Maui County has filed its own lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, which it blames for the fire.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Harold Wells, Rebecca Rans, Wells, Bishop, David Minkin, Rans, Jim Bickerton, Bickerton, Rick Linkert, Linkert, Pauahi Paki, Kamehameha, Tom Hals, Amy Stevens, Noeleen Walder, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Kamehameha Schools, Reuters, Honolulu Star, U.S . Forest Service, Hawaiian Electric, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Rights WILMINGTON , Delaware, Harold Wells of Arizona, Maui County, Wailuku, Guinea, California, Hawaiian, Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Fact Check-FEMA official was in Hawaii to attend conference ahead of August wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator mentioned by Joe Biden in a video was in Hawaii ahead of deadly wildfires on Aug. 8 to attend an annual agency conference, a FEMA official told Reuters. “Due to the fires on Maui, participants from FEMA, the Hawaii delegation and many other federal agencies left the meeting early to address statewide response efforts,” Edwards said. Fenton is currently the Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 9, which includes the Hawaiian Islands (here), (here). In the clip of Biden’s Aug. 30 remarks, the president refers to his appointment of Fenton to lead the Maui response and rebuilding efforts. FEMA administrator Bob Fenton’s presence in Hawaii before the 2023 wildfires is not evidence that the disaster was planned.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Bob Fenton “, Jeremy M, Edwards, Fenton, ” Edwards, Lemanu P.S, “, Bob Fenton, ” Fenton, Bob Fenton’s, Read Organizations: Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Reuters, Social, Facebook, Biden, Partnership, Regional, White, Guam Homeland Security, Civil Defense Locations: Hawaii, Honolulu, Oahu, “, Maui, American Samoa, United States, Guam

CNN —The Hawaii Tourism Authority announced Friday it approved more than $2 million to help rebuild Hawaii’s struggling tourism industry. The agency said West Maui accounts for 15% of Hawaii’s total tourism revenue, and since the deadly wildfires, the state has lost roughly $9 million per day because of the resulting drop in travel and tourism. Josh Green declared a “tourism emergency” as visitors to the island have dropped significantly in the wake of the devastating wildfires. While the Hawaii Tourism Authority is still trying to get a count of total job losses, Gionson said anecdotally, a small sample size of a dozen businesses informed the agency of about 200 layoffs. Gionson said if people want to help, they should keep their trips, as long as they are not staying in West Maui.

Persons: Ilihia Gionson, Josh Green, Gionson, anecdotally, Richie Olsten, they’re, ” Olsten Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Gov, Maui Locations: Hawaii, Maui, United States, West Maui

☆ 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

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

☆ The Maui Fire Spared Lahaina’s Banyan Tree - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Julia Flynn Siler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The historic Hawaiian port town’s massive Banyan tree — standing over 60 feet tall with a canopy that has grown to cover more than half an acre — has been the backdrop for endless selfies. Lahaina’s Ficus benghalensis, or banyan fig, burst into flames in the massive wildfire that killed at least 90 people and turned countless buildings into char. Weighed against the horrific loss of lives and the nearly complete destruction of a town, the potential loss of a single, gigantic tree may seem trivial. But this magnificent specimen, believed to have been the largest tree in the Hawaiian Islands, has touched the hearts of many in Hawaii and elsewhere. The fact that the tree is charred but still standing offers us the hope of both the tree and the town’s eventual revival.

Persons: It’s Locations: Lahaina, Hawaiian, Hawaii

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