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☆ How did FEMA spend $9 billion so quickly? Back-to-back disasters
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This rapid spend rate is a reflection of just how many earlier disasters the agency is dealing with in addition to Milton and Helene. Here’s what to know:How did FEMA spend $9 billion so quickly? That gave FEMA about $20 billion worth of funding to tap into as it responded to Helene and Milton. “In August, we had paused obligations for recovery projects for all of those other open disasters,” Criswell told reporters. Last year, the US had a record 23 disasters costing at least $1 billion by September – with 28 such disasters in the calendar year, the most ever recorded.

Persons: Helene, Milton –, Deanne Criswell, Milton, Criswell, Dominick Del Vecchio, “, ” Criswell, Hurricane Helene, Adam Smith, Hurricane Beryl, Greenlee Beal, NOAA’s Smith, isn’t, It’s, Smith, ” Smith, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Disaster Relief Fund, Rescue, Task Force, Nevada Task Force, Reuters, Hurricane, NOAA, CNN, “ Locations: Milton, Nevada, Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii, Texas , California, New Mexico, Hurricane Milton, ”, California, Texas, New England, Dallas, Galveston , Texas, United States

There is no evidence to suggest the fire was intentionally set, Maui Fire and Public Safety Chief Bradford Ventura said. The Lahaina fire was one of three wildfires that ignited on Maui that day; the report did not address the two other, less-destructive fires. Since last year, thousands of residents have sued Hawaiian Electric, Maui County and the state of Hawaii over the fire. The utility has acknowledged that one of its downed power lines ignited a blaze early that morning off Lahainaluna Road in the hills above Lahaina. Maui County announced a few hours later that firefighters had fully contained it.

Persons: Bradford Ventura, Jeffrey Giesea, “, Giesea, Jonathan Blais, Josh Green Organizations: Maui Fire Department, U.S . Bureau, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Investigators, Maui Fire, Public Safety, ”, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian, Electric Co, Hawaii Gov, Associated Press Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, Seattle, Maui County

☆ Deadly Maui fire erupted from earlier blaze believed to have been extinguished, investigation finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

A Hawaiian Electric power line fell early on the morning of Aug. 8, sparking a fire in overgrown brush near the edge of town. Pictures and crosses are displayed at a public hillside memorial to Lahaina wildfire victims on August 1, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. First responders also had trouble getting a firm answer from Hawaiian Electric representatives if the power had been cut to the area. That’s the amount the defendants — including Hawaiian Electric, the state, Maui County, large landowners and others — have agreed to pay to settle claims. Lawyers for people seeking compensation fear allowing insurance companies to sue Hawaiian Electric and others will subvert the deal, drain what is available to pay fire victims and lead to prolonged litigation.

Persons: Josh Green, Mario Tama, — Organizations: Honolulu AP, US, of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Maui Fire Department, Getty, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Gov, Electric, Hawaii Supreme, policyholders Locations: Honolulu, Maui, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, West Maui, Hawaii, California, Paradise, Maui County

☆ Report finds ‘no evidence’ Hawaii officials prepared for Maui wildfire that killed 102 despite warnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Honolulu (AP) — Investigators reviewing the emergency response to last year’s wildfire that killed 102 people on Maui said in a report released Friday they found “no evidence” Hawaii officials made preparations for it, despite days of warnings that critical fire weather was coming. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency didn’t immediately respond with comment. Maui fire commanders discussed the forecast, but “no evidence of pre-event preparedness plans by the MFD were produced,” the report said. Maui County and the state use private contractors to help fight fires with water tankers and heavy equipment. And despite the warnings, the heads of the county emergency management agency and the Maui Fire Department were off-island that day, attending conferences in Honolulu.

Persons: —, Anne Lopez, Maui’s, Richard Bissen, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency didn’t, weren’t, Firefighters, ” Derek Alkonis Organizations: — Investigators, National Weather Service, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Maui Fire Department, Maui Police, Hawaiian Electric Co, Firefighters, Fire Safety Research Institute, Maui Police Department Locations: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, State, Maui County, West Maui

☆ Maui could soon ban some Airbnbs. Short-term rental owners say it will be financially devastating for them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-08 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

When researching the properties, he confirmed their tax status as short-term rentals on the county site. Jason Gobey, another short-term rental owner, told BI he researched and spoke to real-estate agents as well as others before buying his one-bedroom condo in Kihei in 2019. He also said he confirmed the property's tax status as a short-term rental and had no idea there could be an issue with it. Though some of the Minatoya List properties will likely be converted to long-term rentals, Church said it is not financially feasible for him. But the benefit of adding the Minatoya List properties to the housing stock is that they are already built.

Persons: —, Andrew Church, Mario Tama, Richard Bissen, Church, Jason Gobey, Gobey, Smith, Justin Tyndall, Tyndall, that's, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Church, Owners, Maui, Maui Planning, University of Hawaii Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Barcelona, New York City, South Maui, West Maui, Kihei, Arizona, Manoa

☆ Travel news: Europe’s cleanest swimming spots
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. CNN —In our roundup of travel stories this week: a life-changing DNA test, a Georgia-to-Mongolia road trip with unexpected challenges, plus a new report reveals Europe’s cleanest places to swim. For sea swimming, Croatia has the brine that’s most divine, followed by Cyprus, Greece and Slovenia. For inland waters, Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland and Romania are all tied in first place, with Austria and Finland not far behind.

Persons: John Portmann, van, it’s, Here’s, It’s, Canada’s, James Gillese, Ryan Titchener, Debby, ”, Little Richard, Otis Redding, There’s Organizations: CNN, European Environmental Agency, European Union, overlanding, CNN CNN Travel, Tourists Locations: Georgia, Mongolia, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Slovenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Romania, Austria, Finland, Seine, Paris, Arizona, Russia, Australia, America, Lahaina, Maui’s, Canada’s Jasper, Coast, East Coast, Macon, Macon , Georgia

Through the Family Life Center, her Maui-based nonprofit organization, Cumming planned to build an 88-unit village of modular homes. Workers at the Family Life Center tiny home development, known as Ohana Hope Village, in January. Maude Cumming, CEO of the Family Life Center, in a tiny home at Ohana Hope Village in January. The first 10 families will soon move into a temporary housing project designed to shelter 1,200 people for up to five years. Keys and the plans for tiny homes at the Family Life Center development.

Persons: Maude Cumming, Cumming, ” Cumming, Sarah L, Voisin, JB Rutagarama, Josh Green's, ” Green, Keys, “, ”, Green Organizations: Life Center, Workers, Washington, Getty, Homes, Hope, NBC, Rural Health Association, Gov, Life, NBC News, of Human Services, Airbnb, Human Services Department Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Kahului, Hawaiʻi

Di Bari is one of thousands of residents attempting to rebuild her home and business amid a flurry of instability. Courtesy Qiana and Michele Di BariToday, many Lahaina residents who lost their homes are still displaced as they scramble from one temporary shelter to another. “The true thing about Lahaina people is you cannot take Lahaina people out of Lahaina,” Nahoo’ikaika said. A man walks past wildfire wreckage in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 9, 2023. A rainbow is seen from Put Kukui mountain over burned cars and buildings in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 13, 2023.

Persons: restauranteur Qiana Di, Michele, Di, Qiana Di, Pepe, Michele Di Bari, ”, Jamie Nahoo’ikaika, Sale Pepe, Jaret, Levi, King Kamehameha III, Di Bari, Baris, Nahoo’ikaika, James Tokioka, Tiffany Kidder Winn, Lisa Grove, —, Josh Green, Kalama McEwen, he's, McEwen, Mengshin Lin, Cindy Canham, you’ve, Canham, Whaler’s, Jimmy Carter, she'll Organizations: Di Bari, NBC, FEMA, NBC News, Tourism, Maui, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Rural Health Association, The Washington, Getty Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, restauranteur Qiana Di Bari, Maui, Italian, Di Bari, Paradise , California, Qiana Di Bari, New York, “, Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaiʻi, ”, Texas, Kihei

Across nine generations, Archie Kalepa’s family has seen the waterfront in Lahaina, a town on the island of Maui, undergo repeated transformation. Once the home of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s royalty, Lahaina’s shores over the centuries became a stop for whalers plundering the seas, for missionaries spreading the Christian gospel, for plantation owners who opened canneries to prepare their bounty of pineapples for export. More recently, tourists packed high-end galleries and shoreline restaurants that offered sunset meals of ahi tuna and taro. Relics of each of those layers of history were turned to ash a year ago, when an Aug. 8 inferno roared through Lahaina, killing at least 102 people. That would mean doing what for many has seemed unthinkable until now: transforming the famous waterfront by peeling back history, removing some of the gift shops, restaurants and beachwear boutiques that, before the fire, perched above the shoreline.

Persons: Archie Kalepa’s, Kalepa Locations: Lahaina, Maui

☆ Maui tourism still hasn't recovered since the Lahaina fire. The manager of the resort where 'The White Lotus' was shot says now is a great time to visit.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementSome locals and business owners were quick to encourage tourists to return, citing the importance of tourism to the island's economy. According to the Maui Economic Development Board, around 70% of every dollar in Maui County is generated, either directly or indirectly, by the tourism industry. Tourism numbers from June 2024 show that nearly a year on, visit numbers had yet to return to their pre-fire levels. Tourists are still encouraged to act responsibly when they visit Maui, and there are opportunities to donate or help out with Lahaina recovery efforts. Shank said the Four Seasons is also encouraging tourists to actively get out and support the island during their visit.

Persons: —, Ben Shank, Shank, " Shank, Lisa Paulson, Paulson, Smith Organizations: Service, Business, Maui Economic Development Board, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, Hawaii State Rural Health Association, Lodging Association, Travel Locations: Maui, Lahaina Town, Maui County, Lahaina, Hawaii, cabanas, Europe, Hana

He called it “a historic settlement to resolve all tort claims arising from the Maui wildfires.”The wildfires are the deadliest in modern American history and caused damages estimated at $5 billion. "This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal," Green said in a statement. Burned cars and buildings in Lahaina, Hawaii on Aug. 13, 2023. Hundreds of suits have piled up against Hawaiian Electric, accusing the company of negligence and ignoring repeated warnings of the possibility of a catastrophic inferno igniting on the island. Hawaiian Electric is a for-profit, investor-owned company that serves 95% of the state’s electric customers.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, Matthew Thayer, Mengshin Lin Organizations: Maui News, Electric, Kamehameha Schools, Maui Land Co, Charter Communications, Legislature, The Washington, Getty, Hawaiian Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Waiola, Lahaina Hongwanji, Hawaii , County, Lahaina , Hawaii, West Maui

☆ Plaintiffs in Maui wildfire case reach $4 billion settlement against Hawaiian Electric and others
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Luciana Lopez | Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The governor of Hawaii on Friday announced a $4 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits stemming from the wildfires that devastated Maui last year. The defendants include the state of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications, according to the release. ”Our objective is to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again,” Shelee Kimura, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, said in a statement. Pictures and crosses are displayed at a public hillside memorial to Lahaina wildfire victims on August 1, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. August 8 marks the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires which killed 102 people and devastated the historic community of Lahaina in West Maui.

Persons: Josh Green’s, ” Green, ” Shelee Kimura, Mario Tama Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Electric, Kamehameha Schools, Maui Land Co, Charter Communications, Hawaiian Electric, Green, Maui Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Hawai‘i , County, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, West Maui, Mario, Kula, Olinda

☆ Maui Wildfire Plaintiffs Reach $4 Billion Settlement as Anniversary Nears
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Shawn Hubler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly a year after a ferocious wildfire on Maui killed 102 people and leveled the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii’s largest utility has agreed to pay the largest share of a legal settlement totaling just over $4 billion and compensating more than 10,000 homeowners, businesses and other plaintiffs. The proposed agreement was filed late Friday in a Maui-based state court, six days before the anniversary of the disaster. Fire victims and insurers have spent months in court-ordered mediation with the state, Maui County, large private landowners and utilities within the fire zone to resolve more than 600 lawsuits brought in state and federal courts by survivors of the catastrophe. More than 3,000 homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed, and thousands of residents were killed, injured or displaced. Josh Green had pushed for a single global agreement among all the parties to litigation to swiftly compensate fire victims, rather than extending negotiations for years without payment.

Persons: Josh Green Organizations: Gov, Hawaiian Electric Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Maui County, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Hawaii

☆ Where inflation is the highest and lowest in America
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Honolulu metro area in Hawaii, meanwhile, saw the nation’s highest annual inflation rate in May, at 5.2%. Housing costs have therefore eased over the past year, tugging inflation overall much lower. Tight housing-market conditions are also plaguing New York, which at one point boasted the lowest inflation rate in the country. Housing costs make up about a third of the Labor Department’s CPI, a closely watched inflation gauge. Inflation is down substantially from the 40-year highs of two years ago, but housing costs have remained stubbornly elevated.

Persons: ”, Barbara Denham, Brian Adcock, Willy Nunn, homebuilding, Adcock, “, Jane Castor, it’s, homebuilders, Carl Bonham, Mengshin Lin, Roseann Freitas, ” Freitas, Freitas, Josh Green Organizations: Washington CNN, Consumer, Nationwide, Aloha State, Oxford, Labor Department’s CPI, Federal, Boomers, Tampa Bay Chamber, Miami, Tampa, Homes, CNN, ” Tampa, Urban, University of Hawaii, Washington Post, Building Industry Association of Hawaii Locations: The Tampa, St, Petersburg, Clearwater, Florida, Honolulu, Hawaii, Tampa Bay, homebuilding, Houston , Minneapolis, Denver, Central Florida, New York, Tampa The Tampa, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Miami, ”, Urban Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina

☆ These 10 U.S. states have America’s worst economies in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Scott Cohn | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

That is why CNBC looks at state economies in ranking America's Top States for Business. We consider economic growth and job growth. We measure the breadth of each state's economy by looking at how many major corporations are headquartered there. Some states are at the top of their economic game — home to America's 10 best state economies. JB Pritzker, and all the major rating agencies have the state in their "A" categories for the first time in years.

Persons: Phil Scott, Jobs, J.B . Pritzker, Erin Hooley, JB Pritzker, Asplundh, Michael G, Janet Mills, Mills, Gina Raimondo, Joe Biden, Anna Moneymaker, Gina Raimondo —, —, Rhode Island's, Luke Sharrett, Ed Zurga, Bryan Tarnowski, Hurricane Katrina, New Hampshire Jada, Patrick T, Fallon, Hawaii's, Nature, Spencer Platt Organizations: CNBC, Business, Republican Gov, Direct Investment, Illinois, Illinois Illinois Gov, Thompson Center, Tribune, Service, Democratic Gov, Major Corporations, GE Healthcare Technologies, Mondelez, Seamans, Portland Press Herald, Getty, National Association of State, Officers, Pew, Major Corporation, IDEXX, Rhode, Semiconductors, America, White, U.S . Commerce, Major, CVS Health, Hasbro, Kentucky, Bloomberg, Bluegrass State, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Kansas Carpenters, Glenn Eagles, Louisiana Homes, Treme, Louisiana State University, Hurricane, Pool Corporation, Granite State, U.S . Chamber, Commerce, New Hampshire Department, Labor, The New Hampshire Tech Alliance, Afp, Aloha State Locations: U.S, States, Vermont, Illinois Illinois, Chicago, Lincoln, Illinois, Maine, Rhode Island WASHINGTON, DC, Washington , DC, Louisville , Kentucky, Bluegrass, Kentucky, Kansas, Kansas City , Kansas, Sunflower, Claiborne, New Orleans , Louisiana, New Orleans, New Hampshire, Granite, The, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii, Mississippi, Biloxi , Mississippi

☆ By Burning Down Buildings, Insurers Want to Change How They’re Built
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Emily Flitter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The insurance industry is setting homes on fire — just to make a point. The fires are controlled, kindled in a research lab or staged at training facilities used by fire departments. Across the United States, insurers lost $33 billion in 2023 on personal home and auto insurance, according to AM Best, a ratings agency for the industry. In California, where fires have consumed more than roughly 220,000 acres of land in just this year, major insurers like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers have all pulled back. Earlier this month, State Farm asked California’s insurance regulator to approve a 30 percent rate increase for the owner-occupied home insurance it still provides in the state.

Organizations: Farm, Allstate, Farmers Locations: Lahaina, Maui, United States, California

☆ 10 states with America's worst infrastructure, and most to gain from billions in federal dollars
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Scott Cohn | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

To evaluate each state's infrastructure, our Top States study considers not just roads, bridges, ports and airports. The state broadband office notes that it is the nation's ninth-largest allocation per capita. The state's power grid is among America's least reliable, according to U.S. Department of Energy data. The severe weather means power outages are frequent as well. Since then, the power outages have persisted, making Maine's grid among the worst in the nation.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Seth Martindale, Rusty, Dan Koeck, Doug Burgum, Biden, Mark Miller, Suzanne Kreiter, Jim Justice, Senators Joe Manchin, Shelley Moore Capito, Mississippi Brenda Gavin, Elnora Ross, Michael Democker, Robert Gauthier, We're, Lauren Owens Lambert, Logan —, stoplights, Brianna Soukup, Lance King Organizations: Companies, Business, CNBC, Infrastructure Law, Arkansas Turrell, Arkansas Broadband Office, Law, Arkansas Economic Development Corporation, North Dakota, Washington Post, Peace Garden State, U.S . Department of Energy, Power Company, Dakota Utilities, Montana Bison, Getty, Industrial, Rte, Boston Globe, Census, U.S . Department of Transportation, West Virginia, Gov, U.S, Senators, West Virginia Coal Association, Justice, Manchin, Virginia Economic, First Street Foundation, Hawaii, Los Angeles Times, Afp, Boston Regional Airport, Spirit Airlines, Orlando, Logan, JetBlue, White Mountain Cable, Portland Press, Portland Press Herald, Central Maine Power, Power, Energy Department, Maine Locations: States, Arkansas, Arkansas Turrell Arkansas, Turrell Arkansas, Underwood, Peace, North Dakota, Minnesota, Dakota, Buffalo, Yellowstone, Montana, Massachusetts, Canton, Bay State, Boston, Kanawha, Poca, West Virginia, Winfield, Putnam County, Mountain State, Virginia, Mississippi, Louin , Mississippi, Gulf, BroadbandNow, Lahaina , Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Western Maui, Hampshire, Hampton , New Hampshire, Manchester, New Hampshire, New England, Maine, Epsom , New Hampshire, Brighton, Woodford Street, Portland, Alaska, Dalton, Coldfoot , Alaska

☆ It’s hurricane season. Good luck getting affordable homeowners’ insurance
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For decades, homeowners insurance was considered a very stable line of business for insurance companies, said Chuck Nyce, a professor of risk management and insurance at Florida State University. The US homeowners insurance industry saw net losses jump to $101.29 billion in 2023, according to the report. Only two of the 20 largest US homeowners’ insurance companies were profitable last year. Kaylee Greenlee Beal/ReutersWhile property insurance is not mandated by law, most lenders require it for mortgage holders. Last year, Florida’s state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. became the 10th largest homeowners’ insurer in the US, S&P Global said.

Persons: it’s, aren’t, Chuck Nyce, Nyce, Mario Tama, ”, Lynne McChristian, policyholders, Greenlee Beal, Aris Papadopoulos Organizations: CNN, P Global, Florida State University, Volunteers, P, University of Illinois, Property Insurance Corp, Florida Locations: States, Arizona , Illinois, Utah, Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Urbana, Champaign, Florida, California, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, Houston, Florida’s

☆ Savannah Gankiewicz crowned new Miss USA amid ongoing turmoil at pageant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Amid a dramatic two weeks of resignations and allegations made against the Miss USA organization, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz — who had originally placed as the first runner-up at the 2023 Miss USA pageant — has stepped up to be crowned Miss USA. The Miss Universe organization and Rose, through Miss USA, did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment. She welcomed Gankiewicz to the Miss USA family telling her to “embrace this moment of influence and let your words carry the power of positive change,” and thanked her corporate partners and sponsors for their “unwavering support.”Rose said that this year’s Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants would take place in Los Angeles and would broadcast on the CW network. The CW announced a multi-year agreement to air the two pageants in April, but in light of recent allegations, USA Today reported Monday that the network was “evaluating” its relationship with the Miss USA organization. Miss USA and Miss Universe Organization, have not returned CNN’s multiple requests for comment.

Persons: USA Savannah Gankiewicz —, —, Miss USA, ”, Hawaii Josh Green, “, Gankiewicz, Noelia Voigt, Voigt, Laylah Rose, UmaSofia Srivastava, Rose, ” Rose, Stephanie Skinner, ” Barbara Srivastava, Arianna Lemus, ” Gankiewicz, ” Lemus, Jackeline Voigt, Noelia, it’s Organizations: CNN, Miss USA, Miss, USA Savannah, USA, Miss Universe, Miss Teen, Teen USA, CW, Miss Teen USA, Miss Universe Organization, Miss Colorado USA Locations: USA, Hawaii, Honolulu , Hawaii, Waikiki, Sarasota , Florida, Miss USA, Los Angeles, Lahaina, Maui

☆ Miss Hawaii is taking over as Miss USA following Noelia Voigt's historic resignation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz is taking over as Miss USA. Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned from the position on Monday, citing her mental health. She is the first Miss USA in the pageant's 72-year history to voluntarily give up the crown. Savannah Gankiewicz will be the new Miss USA 2023Miss USA revealed Gankiewicz's appointment in the caption of an Instagram photo, saying the organization was "thrilled to announce that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss USA 2023." "Please know that my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not one that was made lightly," she wrote.

Persons: Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, —, Voigt, Savannah, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz, Laylah Rose, Rose, Miss USA, Gankiewicz, Voigt's, Claudia Michelle, Michelle, Max Sebrechts, Sebrechts, Crystle Stewart Organizations: Miss, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Service, USA, Miss Hawaii, USA's, Savannah Miss, BI, Miss Universe Locations: Savannah, Utah, Miss USA, Miss Hawaii USA Savannah, Hawaii, Savannah Miss USA, Lahaina, Maui, New Jersey, Miss

☆ 5 ways to attack the climate crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Andrea Kane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The climate crisis impacts Earth — its land, its atmosphere and its bodies of water — and it also profoundly affects the health and behavior of the planet’s inhabitants large and small, including humanity. And CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir has a front-row seat to the ever-evolving situation. “Five million people die prematurely every year just to, just from particulate pollution of burning fossil fuels around the world,” Weir said. “It is taking care of water and soil and air… (that) fills those (Maslow) needs in ways that we can’t imagine in our modern, convenient world,” he said. “I just want folks to connect with each other and nature in the best possible ways,” he said.

Persons: Bill Weir, Weir, Olivia, —, “, ” Weir, Sanjay Gupta, it’s, Abraham Maslow’s, ”, Elisabeth Kübler, Rogers, “ There’s, he’s, Maslow Organizations: CNN, Earth Locations: Hope, America, Charleston , South Carolina, Miami, thrivers, United States, Maine, Canada, Asia, Lahaina, ‘

☆ A woman moved to Florida after her home burned in the Lahaina fires, and the cheapest Maui rental she could find was $10,000 a month
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The fires in Maui, Hawaii, displaced 6,200 families, many of whom are still looking for housing. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Advertisement"There are about 7,000 short term rental units on Maui in apartment zoning and 2,200 are in West Maui," Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, a Maui city councilwoman, told KITV. "It would immediately provide housing for those folks who want to stay in West Maui, which is the majority of our folks looking for housing right now." Paele Kiakona, a member of Lahaina Strong, told Hawaii News Now.

Persons: —, Amy Chadwick, Chadwick, " Chadwick, Shannon I'i, I'i, they'll, KITV, Keani Rawlins, Fernandez, Josh Green, We've, Kiakona Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Lahaina, Hawaii News Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, Satellite Beach , Florida, West Maui

☆ Hawaii wildfires 2023: New report details problems and heroism from Maui’s disastrous infernos
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Among them: Chief officers and some Maui Fire Department staff used “WhatsApp” for situational awareness updates, but not everyone in the department used the app. Despite this, the collective actions by MFD and law enforcement saved many lives and property across the island,” the report says. “Battalion Chiefs initiated upstaffing for some resources on the morning of August 8” – the day the four major wildfires ignited. “MFD requested law enforcement to facilitate evacuations over the radio. “That is still under investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” Maui Fire Department Chief Brad Ventura said Tuesday.

Persons: ” “, “, ”, Anne Lopez, –, upstaffing, Brad Ventura, ” Ventura, Ventura Organizations: CNN, Maui Fire Department, National Weather Service, Western Fire Chiefs Association, Staff, Hawaii’s, Fire Safety Research Institute, BCs, State, “ Battalion Chiefs, ICS, Incident Command, Hawaiian Electric Company, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives Locations: Maui, “, Lahaina

HONOLULU (AP) — Local officials in Hawaii next month plan to open an office that will speed up Maui County's notoriously slow processing of building permits to help the town of Lahaina to recover from last year's deadly wildfire. The new permitting center will help private developers building five separate projects with a combined total of more than 500 housing units. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is building 169 temporary housing units for displaced residents and is renting 1,300 units from landlords. The state of Hawaii is building about 450 temporary housing units, including 270 that will be ready by July or August. The state's temporary units are expected to be used for three to five years.

Persons: Keanu Lau Hee, Lau Hee, “, ” Organizations: —, Maui, University of Hawaii, Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: HONOLULU, Hawaii, Lahaina, we’re, Maui County

☆ I tried Tripadvisor's free AI tool to plan trips to Maui and Montreal. It was useful in some ways, but I won't stop doing my own trip research.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

When my editor suggested having someone try out Tripadvisor's free AI trip builder, I immediately volunteered — yes, because I am a team player, but also because I thought I might personally find it useful. AdvertisementThe Maui itinerary had some good ideas, but, overall, the responses were lackingThe trip planner starts by asking some basic questions:Where do you want to go? Ultimately, the Maui itinerary gave me some good ideas but also some not-so-good ones, and missed many others. Tripadvisor's AI tool was useful for initial research on MontrealUsing the tool to plan a trip to a place I know next to nothing about made me appreciate it a bit more. The most useful aspect of Tripadvisor's AI tool was that the itinerary came with a map that marked all of the attractions and restaurants it recommended.

Persons: —, Tripadvisor, Hana, Hana —, Amir Eylon Organizations: Service, Business, Swiet, Maui Fish, Downtown, Longwoods International, Longwoods Locations: Maui, Montreal, Hawaii, Hana, Lahaina, Downtown Montreal, Canada

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