All articles tagged with #maui wildfires
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that one in six Maui wildfire survivors resorted to prostitution to survive, a statement that was met with skepticism but supported by a report indicating that some female survivors engaged in survival sex due to the disaster's hardships, especially among immigrant women and limited English speakers.
Text messages between the ex-director of Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency and an administrative assistant reveal a lack of urgency and concern during the Maui wildfires, as documented in the state Attorney General’s investigation report. The report, aimed at preventing future disasters, details the concerning communication during the crisis, including messages expressing amusement and lack of concern. The investigation is ongoing, with the purpose of improving emergency response protocols.
Inflation remains stubborn due to high housing costs, with rent increasing nearly 6% in the past 12 months. A new report on the Maui wildfires reveals communication challenges and slow response from local officials. Israel is engaged in conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, prompting calls for de-escalation. NPR's We, The Voters series highlights the impact of gun violence on American children, while an innovative children's literature museum in North Kansas City offers immersive exhibits.
A new report on the Maui wildfires reveals communication breakdowns and challenges faced by emergency responders, including delayed alerts, power line de-energization confirmation, and difficulties in coordinating evacuations. The report details the struggles of first responders and the lack of resources, mutual aid agreements, and language-specific evacuation plans. It also highlights the impact of climate change and urban encroachment on wildland areas. The wildfires destroyed thousands of properties, causing over $5.5 billion in estimated damage.
Governor Josh Green announced a $175 million compensation fund for families who lost loved ones in the Lahaina wildfires, with each eligible family set to receive $1.5 million starting from March 1. The fund, modeled after the 9/11 compensation fund, may also compensate those who lost land, with recipients agreeing not to pursue lawsuits against fund participants. Additionally, FEMA officials provided an update on efforts to rebuild King Kamehameha School, while the announcement coincides with the six-month anniversary of the Maui wildfires that claimed at least 100 lives and left thousands of survivors without permanent housing.
The Maui Police Department released a preliminary after-action report detailing its response to the Aug. 8 wildfires, which led to the deaths of at least 100 people in Lahaina. The report includes 32 recommendations for improvement and reveals challenges faced by officers, including communication and equipment issues. The report also provides the locations of where the victims were found and highlights the chaotic situation officers navigated during the fires. The department is working on implementing the recommendations and plans to complete the final after-action report in six to 12 months.
Po'omaika'i Estores-Losano, a 28-year-old father, was working to rebuild his life and overcome a rocky past when he tragically died in the Maui wildfires. Despite struggling with drug addiction, he had a well-meaning heart and a strong desire to do better. He aspired to be a musician and dreamed of teaching his sons to surf. After years of battling addiction, he appeared to be in a better place and was determined to be a better father. However, the fire claimed his life, leaving his family devastated and wondering what might have been.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has acknowledged the backlash he received for launching a joint fundraiser with Oprah Winfrey for the Maui wildfires. Johnson admitted that he could have handled the situation better and pledged to learn from the experience. The fund aims to provide a monthly stipend of $1,200 to adults affected by the wildfires. Johnson expressed gratitude to the survivors and the community for their resilience and support.
Dwayne Johnson has apologized for asking for donations to the "People's Fund of Maui" that he and Oprah Winfrey set up to help survivors of the Maui wildfires. Johnson acknowledged the backlash and stated that he understands why people were upset, recognizing that not everyone can afford to donate. He pledged to do better in the future and expressed his empathy for those living paycheck to paycheck. The fund, which initially received $5 million each from Johnson and Winfrey, aims to provide financial assistance to residents whose homes were damaged in the fires.
Grieving family members and survivors of the Maui wildfires have gathered in Washington D.C. to seek answers and accountability regarding the fatal disaster. The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is conducting a hearing to investigate Hawaiian Electric's possible role in the fires. The families impacted by the tragedy have submitted written testimony, describing how the fire has affected them. While they will not be called on for in-person testimony, they hope to find some accountability for those who may have played a role in the tragedy.
Hawaii energy and utility officials faced questioning from House members regarding the cause and prevention of the deadly Maui wildfires that claimed at least 97 lives and destroyed numerous homes and businesses. The President & CEO of Hawaiian Electric, Shelee Kimura, stated that power lines falling in high winds caused the initial fire, while the cause of the subsequent blaze that devastated Lahaina remains undetermined. The committee raised concerns about the company's protocols for shutting off power lines during extreme weather conditions and questioned actions taken to mitigate wildfire threats. Hawaiian Electric is now facing lawsuits alleging negligence for failing to de-energize their equipment despite a red flag warning.
The first group of residents in Lahaina, Hawaii, have been allowed to return to their properties after more than six weeks of waiting. The re-entry program is being conducted in phases, with residents in Zone 1C being the first to return. Many residents expressed sadness and the need for closure as they witnessed the extent of the damage caused by the wildfires. Safety precautions, including personal protective equipment, are being provided due to concerns about toxic dust and soot. The re-entry process is expected to be lengthy but is seen as an important step in recovering from the devastating tragedy.
Some residents of Lahaina, Maui will be allowed to return to their properties next week, but they will likely have to wear protective gear due to potentially toxic ash from the recent wildfires. The reentry process will be gradual, with different zones being cleared for residents as they are inspected and deemed safe. The disaster area is expected to take about three months to fully clear. Authorities are warning residents about the health risks of handling debris and ash, which may contain hazardous substances such as asbestos and heavy metals. The state is also working to transition displaced people from hotels to long-term housing as they plan to reopen West Maui to visitors on October 8.
After wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, damaged several schools, hundreds of students remain unaccounted for, causing anxiety and frustration among the community. The Hawaii Department of Education has urged families to enroll in new schools or distance learning programs, but approximately 966 kids are still unenrolled. Officials are actively reaching out to contact families, but some have not been reached yet. Social media videos and theories about the missing children have caused further concern, and community members are demanding answers. The damaged Lahaina schools are expected to reopen after a fall break in October.
The Associated Press fact-checks several popular but false stories circulating on social media. The CDC did not say that vaccinated people are more at risk of a new COVID variant than the unvaccinated. President Joe Biden misspoke when he claimed to have convinced segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond to vote for the Civil Rights Act. Claims linking a meat allergy caused by ticks to a Gates Foundation-funded program are baseless. Social media videos falsely suggest that only blue items survived the Maui wildfires, implying a directed energy weapon attack, but there is no evidence to support this claim.