By Kate Reiniche
September 10, 2023
In early August of 2023, what would become one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S history began to blaze in Lahaina, a small town on the island of Maui. A combination of environmental degradation and a declining agricultural industry in Hawaii created the perfect conditions for a fire to start. The blaze destroyed countless historical and cultural landmarks, and took 115 lives, with hundreds of people still missing.
Although it isn’t known exactly what started the fire, environmental scientists have theories on what fueled the fire’s spread. At the time, Hurricane Dora, a Category 4 storm, was moving through the Pacific, causing dangerously high winds. The winds caused the fire to spread to the island’s dry brush caused by the ongoing drought. The fire caught on so quickly that most didn’t have time to react. Many barely made it out alive.
The siren system, which was installed to give Hawaiians warning of wildfires, stayed silent throughout the whole process, rendering many oblivious to the ongoing inferno. As of August 27th, with the fire about 90% contained, over two thousand acres of Maui had been lost to the Lahaina fire (CBS). Even with the fire mostly extinguished, those affected by it still have a long road to recovery.
The aftermath of the fire has led to many public health challenges throughout the island. The burning of structures caused the potential release of toxic materials such as asbestos and lead into the atmosphere. Lahaina and surrounding areas were put under unsafe water advisories, as the ash and debris had contaminated the surrounding waterways. Infrastructure in Lahaina and Upper Kalu has been nearly destroyed leaving hundreds without power.
In addition to physical destruction, the fire has left an indescribable toll on a population already at increased risk for mental health conditions. Native Hawiaans are three times less likely to receive proper mental health care than non-hispanic whites ( U.S Department of Health and Human Services 2019).
It may seem like there is little we can do from nearly five thousand miles away, but there are ways to help the victims of the fires.
Any wildfire aid should be donated to or directed to Hawaiian organizations. If you choose to make a monetary donation be sure to carefully research where an organization is based and exactly where the money is going to. Some Hawaii-based organizations helping the victims include: Maui Food Bank, Maui United Way, and the Maui Strong Fund.
Please, continue to raise awareness about the fires. As time goes on, the event may begin to fade from the news even though it may take years for Lahaina and its surrounding areas to recover. By raising awareness of the topic, we can help to lower the chances of wildfires like Lahaina in the future.
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