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☆ Maui government files lawsuit, accuses Hawaiian electric company of causing Lahaina wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Maui County is seeking damages from HECO that may total tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, according to John Fiske, an attorney representing the county in the lawsuit. “Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County. We are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding,” a spokesperson from Hawaiian Electric told CNN in a statement. Hawaiian Electric Company is a for-profit company that serves 95% of Hawaii’s customer base and trades on the New York Stock Exchange. This isn’t the first time a utility company has been blamed for its alleged role in a powerful wildfire in recent years.

Persons: “ inexcusably, John Fiske, “, ” Jim Kelly, Fiske, ”, CNN’s Anna, Maja Rappard, Natasha Chen, Afshar Organizations: CNN, Hawaiian Electric Company, National Weather Service, Watch, Hawaiian Electric, New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Gas Locations: Maui County, HECO, Maui, Hawaiian, California, Lahaina, Kula, Olinda

☆ In Lahaina, one resident's daily trip to her burnt-out home to feed her cats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Liliana Salgado | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 23 (Reuters) - There's nothing left of what used to be her home. But Susie Richter still travels every morning to the burnt-out shell of her house in Lahaina, Hawaii, to feed her three cats, who survived the blaze that devastated Maui earlier this month. The main fire-damaged areas of Lahaina remain closed to residents, but some of the structures in Richter's neighborhood are still standing, so she is permitted to enter through a checkpoint. [1/3]Susie Richter feeds one of her three cats that survived the Lahaina fire, Hawaii, U.S., August 22, 2023. "But the little, little bits of joy - I'll take any good news I can get."

Persons: Susie Richter, Liliana Salgado, Richter, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Richter's, U.S

In the aftermath of the Camp fire that destroyed Paradise, Calif., in 2018, the tally of the missing reached almost 1,300. But by releasing the names of the unaccounted for, the authorities were able to slowly whittle down the list. Of the more than 1,000 still missing in the Lahaina fire, officials from the county of Maui said they did not have any estimate of how many were presumed dead. They did say they had not identified any minors in official tallies of the missing. Classes at four schools on West Maui had been canceled the morning of the fires because of high winds and power outages, according to local news reports.

Persons: ” Steven Merrill, whittle Locations: ’, Honolulu, Maui, Calif, Lahaina, West Maui

☆ US wildland firefighter pay threatened by Republican feud in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Firefighters cannot be held hostage to congressional infighting," said Lucas Mayfield, president of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. More than 10 million acres were affected in 2015 and 2017. Last year, the cost of suppressing wildfires across 7.6 million acres surpassed $3.5 billion, according to the center. "Now is not the time ... to be engaging in this kind of the political gamesmanship around something as important as the livelihood of our wildland firefighters," he told Reuters. Neguse and Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an independent from Arizona, have introduced legislation in their respective chambers that would avoid the pay cliff and authorize future pay increases for wildland firefighters.

Persons: Matthew A, Foster, Handout, Mike Simpson, Joe Biden, Lucas Mayfield, Mayfield, Joe Neguse, Kyrsten Sinema, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell Organizations: Force, U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, REUTERS, Rights, Interagency Fire, Idaho Republican, Reuters, Republicans, Democrats, Democratic, Biden, Grassroots, Firefighters, Republican, National Interagency Fire Center, Colorado Democrat, House, Thomson Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S, Washington, West, British Columbia, Idaho, United States, Neguse, Arizona

At the same time, investigators acknowledged that it's possible not all of the remains of victims from the August 8th fire on Maui will ever be found. "The number of family members who are coming in to provide DNA samples is a lot lower than they've seen in other disasters," he said. Martin said he could not explain why people seemed less willing to provide DNA samples - so far 104 had been collected. The wildfires whipped by winds tore through the beachside town of Lahaina in west Maui, killing at least 115 people, according to Maui County officials. Reporting by Jonathan Allen in Lahaina, Hawaii, and Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Andrew Martin, Martin, John Pelletier, Pelletier, Jonathan Allen, Brad Brooks, Michael Perry Organizations: Lahaina Civic Center, REUTERS, Maui Police, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, LAHAINA, Maui County, beachside, Lahaina , Hawaii, Longmont , Colorado

☆ Fact Check-In wake of Maui fires, here’s why some trees survive damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Some posts on social media in the wake of the fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, however, suggested that the fact some trees had remained standing showed proof that the fires were somehow engineered or steered to intentionally burn homes and vehicles, leaving trees unscathed. Reuters photographs and satellite imagery of the Lahaina Banyan Court area produced by Maxar Technologies shows buildings, vehicles and trees damaged following the fires (shorturl.at/bpsTX), (here). Other trees were more heavily damaged, but remained standing, Reuters pictures show (here), (here). Regardless, the fact that some trees could remain standing or were less damaged than cars or buildings during a fire is not abnormal. Trees sometimes survive severe damage during fires due to factors including their water content and the ways a fire spreads.

Persons: Albert Simeoni, ”, Erica Fischer, Fischer, Christopher Baird, ” Baird, Katie Kamelamela, James Urban, Niamh Nic Daeid, Nic Daeid, Read Organizations: Reuters, Facebook, Maxar Technologies, Fire Protection Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Wood Science, Engineering, Oregon State University, “, JB, University of Hawaii, West Texas, M University, Conservatory, Akaka Foundation, Tropical Forests, HOW, Fire Protection, Leverhulme Research, Forensic Science, University of Dundee Locations: Maui, Instagram, Lahaina Banyan, Oregon, Colorado, Manoa, Hawaii

☆ Why China and Russia Want to Expand the Brics Group
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lahaina Residents Allowed to Return for First Time Since Maui Fire Residents were able to enter Lahaina on Wednesday for the first time since wildfires devastated the historic town last week. WSJ joined Pamela Tumpap, the president of Maui’s Chamber of Commerce, to see the damage. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AFP

Persons: Pamela Tumpap, Yuki Iwamura Organizations: Maui Fire Residents, Maui’s Chamber of Commerce Locations: Lahaina, Maui

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden named former federal prosecutor and Chicago lawyer Ed Siskel as his top White House lawyer on Tuesday, saying the former White House deputy counsel would start his new post next month. Siskel served in the White House Counsel's office for nearly four years when Biden was vice president under former President Barack Obama, including as deputy counsel, the White House said in a statement. "For nearly four years in the White House when I was vice president, he helped the Counsel’s Office navigate complex challenges and advance the president’s agenda on behalf of the American people," Biden wrote. He previously was a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois and was a clerk for then-Justice John Stevens on the U.S. Supreme Court, the White House said. Siskel replaces Stuart Delery, who is stepping down after serving as White House counsel since July 2022.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Ed Siskel, Siskel, Biden, Barack Obama, I, Biden’s, Hunter, Obama, Rahm Emanuel, John Stevens, Stuart Delery, Susan Heavey, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Lahaina Civic Center, REUTERS, Rights, White, . House Republicans, Chicago, Trump, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S, Attorney’s, Northern District of Illinois, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Chicago, Northern District

In an aerial view, burned cars and homes are seen a neighborhood that was destroyed by a wildfire on August 17, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. A young boy walks through wildfire wreckage Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Search and recovery team members check charred buildings and cars in the aftermath of the Maui Fires in Lahaina, West Maui, Hawaii, August 17, 2023. Lahaina, Maui, Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - Homes and businesses lay in ruins after last week's devastating wildfire swept through town. A woman walks through wildfire wreckage Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Persons: Patrick T, Fallon, Fred Abad, Louise Abihai, Ellie Erickson —, Richard Zubaty, Richard Bissen, Harold, Justin Sullivan, Lynn Ouano, Faias, Jay Ouano, Rick Bowmer, Kuulei Barut, Losano, Leona Castillo, Castillo, Yuki Iwamura, haven't, Erickson, Robert Gauthier, Julie French Organizations: Kahului, AFP, Getty, NBC, Maui, Facebook, Los Angeles Times Locations: Maui, Kahului, Hawaii, Maui County, Instagram, Palm Springs, Texas, Lahaina , Hawaii, Washington, U.S, Pennsylvania, Lahaina, Lahaina , West Maui, Kihei, Australia

☆ Hawaiian Electric engages with Guggenheim after Maui wildfire scrutiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE.N) said on Tuesday it was seeking advice from boutique advisory firm Guggenheim Securities, after questions were raised over the utility's role in the Maui wildfires. "We are seeking advice from various experts as we position HEI and Hawaiian Electric to be the strong, financially healthy local utility that the people of Maui and Hawai‘i need over the long term," the company said. Shares of Hawaiian Electric, which were down 2.4% at the open, reversed course, and were up 1.3% at $13.21 in afternoon trading. Fitch on Monday downgraded Hawaiian Electric's credit rating to junk status, becoming the third ratings agency to flag risks associated with the utility's potential exposure to liabilities related to the wildfire. Fitch said potential liabilities could be above $3.8 billion, which represents an "existential threat" to the company.

Persons: HEI, Fitch, Arunima Kumar, Arshreet Singh, Krishna Chandra Organizations: Hawaiian Electric Industries, Guggenheim Securities, Electric, Thomson Locations: Maui, Hawaii's, Honolulu, Lahaina . Fitch, Bengaluru

☆ Biden to attend G20 summit in India, VP Harris goes to ASEAN
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a community event at the Lahaina Civic Center, in the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will visit India from Sept. 7-10 for a summit of the Group of 20 nations while Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Jakarta Sept. 4-7 to attend summits of Southeast Asian leaders, the White House said on Tuesday. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan announced the trips as the BRICS group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - held a summit in Johannesburg. Reuters reported exclusively on Aug. 9 that Biden was unlikely to attend summits of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, citing several diplomats saying it would be a significant disappointment if Biden did not go. Reporting by Susan Heavey and Arshad Mohammed, writing by David Ljunggren and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Biden, Susan Heavey, Arshad Mohammed, David Ljunggren, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Lahaina Civic Center, REUTERS, White House, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Camp David, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, India, Jakarta, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Johannesburg, United States, Asia, Pacific, Indo Pacific, South Korea, Japan, Camp

☆ In pictures: Biden visits devastated Lahaina
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PicturesIn pictures: Biden visits devastated LahainaPresident Joe Biden praised the "remarkable resiliency" of the people of Maui, after wildfires killed more than 114 people on the Hawaiian island two weeks ago, and said America would stand by them for as long as it takes.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden Locations: Lahaina, Maui

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

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

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

☆ Earth, wind and fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Earth, wind and fire The wildfire that ripped through Lahaina last week, reducing what had once been the jewel of the historic Hawaiian kingdom to rubble, was decades in the making, scientists say. Illustration of smoke rising above mountains How wind spreads fire As wind cascades over mountains, sinking air compresses, heats up and loses moisture. Over Aug. 7 to 9, gale-force wind gusts reached 67 miles per hour (108 kilometres per hour) in Maui County, according to the National Weather Service. Hot and dry air, colored in orange, moves over Hawaii throughout the timelapse. Today, over 90% of Hawaii’s native dry forests have disappeared, and non-native grasses cover roughly a quarter of the state, according to scientists.

Persons: didn’t, ”, Abby Frazier, Dora —, John Bravender, Dora, Hurricane Dora, “ Dora, Bravender, climatologist Frazier, Thomas Smith, Jennifer Balch, Mike Opgenorth, ” Smith, Matthew A, Foster, Handout Organizations: U.S . Drought Monitor, Clark University, National Weather Service, National Oceanic, Pacific Hurricane Center, North Pacific, London School of Economics, Political, University of Colorado Boulder, Pacific Fire Exchange, University of Hawaii, U.S . Army National Guard, Staff Locations: Lahaina, Lahaina —, West Maui, Lahaina simmered, Maui, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maui County, Honolulu, Canada, India, South America, Caribbean, Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S

☆ Biden Arrived in Maui to See the Wildfire Devastation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Joined on the trip by Jill Biden, the first lady, and the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Biden is scheduled to meet with survivors, emergency workers and officials. So far, the federal government has provided more than 50,000 meals, 5,000 cots, 10,000 blankets and $7 million in short-term aid. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser warned that “a warm welcome may not be assured” in part because of frustrations over applying for aid. Biden has come under criticism from Republicans for not saying enough publicly about the fires that turned the town of Lahaina into an inferno. Only 11 victims have been publicly identified — all but one over 70 years old — and many families are still enduring a wrenching wait.

Persons: Biden, Jill Biden, ” Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Honolulu Star, Advertiser Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina

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

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

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

☆ The doctors, dentists and anthropologists striving to identify Maui's victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

While the work can be emotionally taxing, DMORT members already confront death in their day jobs as funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners. DNA samples have become a crucial tool; Sebastian said the Maui team has partnered with a company that can process DNA in just hours. But the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks represented a pivot point, when DMORT teams helped city authorities sift through thousands of remains. Wildfires represent a relatively new response area for DMORTs; teams responded to the 2018 Camp fire that killed 85 in California and the 2020 Oregon wildfires. "As we're starting to see this era of 'polycrisis,' making sure we have enough DMORT team members that we can deploy is going to be really important," O'Connell, the senior HHS official, said.

Persons: Mike Blake, it's, Frank Sebastian, Kathryn Pinneri, Sebastian, Paul Sledzik, Sledzik, Dawn O'Connell, I've, DMORTs, Hurricane Maria, David Hunt, I'm, Hunt, O'Connell, Joseph Ax, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Maui, federal, HHS, World Trade Center, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Seattle, United States, hijackings, Montgomery County , Texas, MAUI, Long, Shanksville , Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, New York, Indiana, DMORTs, California, Oregon

A sign at the site of the destroyed Pioneer Hotel and Pioneer Theater is seen after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 10, 2023. The wildfires incinerated the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying 2,200 homes and businesses and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Biden has faced criticism from Republicans for not speaking publicly about the tragedy until five days after it occurred. Criswell said she was in communication in the days that followed the wildfires, helping Biden understand the magnitude of the situation and what resources were needed. Some will be too traumatized to attend when their schools in Lahaina reopen while some parents will opt to move rather than rebuild.

Persons: Deanne Criswell, Joe Biden, Criswell, Biden, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, David Morgan, Mary Milliken, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Pioneer, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS Acquire, . Federal Emergency Management Agency, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Kihei, Chicago, Washington

☆ Biden to reassure Maui's Lahaina residents they will control rebuilding after devastating wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off Air Force One upon arrival at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada on August 18, 2023. The wildfires incinerated the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying 2,200 homes and businesses and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Biden has faced criticism from Republicans for not speaking publicly about the tragedy until five days after it occurred. Criswell said she was in communication in the days that followed the wildfires, helping Biden understand the magnitude of the situation and what resources were needed. — Biden on Friday authorized additional federal support for Hawaii, the White House said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Deanne Criswell, Criswell, Biden, —, — Biden Organizations: Air Force, Tahoe, . Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Reno, Reno , Nevada, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

☆ A Maui restaurant owner is 'praying visitors will start to come back soon'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Local businesses on Maui say they're suffering as tourism falls following deadly wildfires. Coconut's Fish Cafe owner Michael Phillips told Insider that "Maui is in mourning" following the devastating wildfires that have killed at least 114 people and left thousands homeless. He said "tourists have to start coming back soon" before the local economy suffered long-term harm. The business owner said he'd already had to close one restaurant and make layoffs as it was losing $5,000 a day. "We ask that they shop at local small businesses and eat at local restaurants," she said.

Persons: Michael Phillips, Phillips, he'd, We've, YUKI IWAMURA, Tara Lee Murphy Organizations: Service, Getty, Panna, Aloha Locations: Maui, Wall, Silicon, Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wailea

☆ 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

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

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

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

☆ 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

☆ Hilary weakens to Category 1 hurricane as storm moves within striking distance of Mexican peninsula
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The maximum sustained wind speed remained unchanged at 85 mph while spreading "heavy rains" northward over the peninsula. Jamie Rhome Director, U.S. National Hurricane CenterIt was not immediately clear whether officials considered the fatality related to the hurricane, but video posted by local officials showed torrents of water coursing through the town's streets. Forecasters said the storm was still expected to enter the history books as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, bringing flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and power outages. Hilary brought heavy rain and flooding to Mexico and the southwestern U.S. on Saturday, ahead of the storm's expected Sunday border crossing. Forecasters warned it could dump up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) — a year's worth of rain for some areas — in southern California and southern Nevada.

Persons: Hurricane Hilary, Reuters Hurricane Hilary, Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, Jamie Rhome, Elizabeth Adams, Gavin Newsom, Hilary Organizations: Reuters, Reuters Hurricane, National Weather Service, National Weather Center, National Hurricane, Santa, National Weather Service San Diego, California Gov, Sunday Locations: Armeria, Colima, Mexico, Baja California, Miami, Punta Eugenia, San Diego , California, Mexican, Santa Rosalia, Mulege, Southern California, Santa Catalina, Southern, California, U.S, Canada, Hawaii's, Maui, Lahaina, Nevada

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