We saw some of what you described Jane when we visited Kapali in November. The total devastation of Lahaina was heartbreaking. It seems from your report that aid is getting through, and there doesn’t seem to be much corruption of the monies. Let’s hope so. These people have been through so much, I pray for God‘s peace for them. Good news that the Banyan tree is sprouting leaves there is hope.
When you say Maui seems frozen by competing interests, I'm thinking Maui seems a microcosm of the U.S., particularly the U.S. Congress. Every constituency is isolated in its own cocoon, having no interest in the others and no interest in changing anything. The common good seems a concept from another planet.
Meanwhile the people personally affected don't appear to have a representative or advocate, though I'm sure that's not so in every case. FEMA always has the toughest job and the most thankless. They dispense many $millions and all you hear about is the complaints.
I hope you'll continue to follow up on this story both because of those directly involved and for the emblematic nature of the story. A once a year visit to measure progress would be most interesting.
We are talking 100s of millions of dollars and I still don't see any accountability. Yes it's been mentioned some monies have been given here and there and spent on this and that but how much spent on what exactly has not been made clear....what is clear to me is that people in charge have been getting rich because no one is being held accountable! Show me the spending logs, show me where specifically where the monies have been spent! Our government is on of the most corrupt in the US because there is no type of checks and balances, monies have been turned over blindly and millions have just vanished. This is not acceptable and your report does nothing to show the specifics of spending!!
Thank you, Jane. This is a great read. I do have one question, though I'm not sure there are answers: "Then authorities starting blocking escape routes." Why would authorities do that?
Welp, their stated reason, after the fact, was that they were concerned people would 1) drive into the path of the fire, and 2) come into contact with downed power lines (though Hawaiian Electric said it had already turned off the power… even before the fire started… so… hmmm)
Not that long ago, maybe a month, there was some press about saving people’s property corners (iron rods/ pipes) , so when it finally gets to be time to rebuild, the surveyors know where the property lines are. The Hawaii Land Surveyors Association was interviewed on HPR and I heard that there was some assurance that there would be an opportunity to look for and clearly mark corners. Before the contractors start skinning all the debris off , property corners included.
Did you see any fresh lath with paint and or flagging in the area you visited? I hope so 🙏🤞
Good timing on the report! We’re vacationing with friends here in Ka’anapali next door to Lahaina. We’re staying till Friday. If you’re still in town, give a shout for some Mai Tai’s and Pupu’s.
I live in Sonoma County where the 2017 fires destroyed 5000+ homes in Santa Rosa plus around 2000 more in the county. We don’t have the hotel and rental market that Maui has to help keep residents in place. In 2018, the city of Paradise was decimated by fire and some of those residents headed south, looking for homes and jobs. And in 2019, another fire hit Sonoma County. Learning from 2017, Sonoma County evacuated almost half of its population so work could be focused on fire fighting, rather than public safety.
Almost every comment in your article applies to both Sonoma County and Paradise. Sure, Maui is smaller and where to put all the toxic waste provides fewer options and tougher choices. But, the biggest difference is the availability of housing options to keep residents on the island.
Those fires were awful. I covered them, and I know people who lost homes. I would say one other difference in Hawaii is the cultural and sacred concerns. When every square inch of a place is considered sacred, it’s hard to figure out how to rebuild.
We saw some of what you described Jane when we visited Kapali in November. The total devastation of Lahaina was heartbreaking. It seems from your report that aid is getting through, and there doesn’t seem to be much corruption of the monies. Let’s hope so. These people have been through so much, I pray for God‘s peace for them. Good news that the Banyan tree is sprouting leaves there is hope.
Kanapali
Thank you for keeping us informed Jane. This story needs to be at the top of the news every so often - otherwise it will be forgotten.
Excellent report, as usual
When you say Maui seems frozen by competing interests, I'm thinking Maui seems a microcosm of the U.S., particularly the U.S. Congress. Every constituency is isolated in its own cocoon, having no interest in the others and no interest in changing anything. The common good seems a concept from another planet.
Meanwhile the people personally affected don't appear to have a representative or advocate, though I'm sure that's not so in every case. FEMA always has the toughest job and the most thankless. They dispense many $millions and all you hear about is the complaints.
I hope you'll continue to follow up on this story both because of those directly involved and for the emblematic nature of the story. A once a year visit to measure progress would be most interesting.
Excellent report, Jane. Your usual excellent reporting.
We are talking 100s of millions of dollars and I still don't see any accountability. Yes it's been mentioned some monies have been given here and there and spent on this and that but how much spent on what exactly has not been made clear....what is clear to me is that people in charge have been getting rich because no one is being held accountable! Show me the spending logs, show me where specifically where the monies have been spent! Our government is on of the most corrupt in the US because there is no type of checks and balances, monies have been turned over blindly and millions have just vanished. This is not acceptable and your report does nothing to show the specifics of spending!!
Jane....
This was really interesting to see the powers at play in the rebuild!
Thank you, David!
Thank you, Jane. This is a great read. I do have one question, though I'm not sure there are answers: "Then authorities starting blocking escape routes." Why would authorities do that?
Welp, their stated reason, after the fact, was that they were concerned people would 1) drive into the path of the fire, and 2) come into contact with downed power lines (though Hawaiian Electric said it had already turned off the power… even before the fire started… so… hmmm)
It is odd, isn't it? The more govt. officials attempt to save us from ourselves, the more people die or are severely injured or ruined.
Not that long ago, maybe a month, there was some press about saving people’s property corners (iron rods/ pipes) , so when it finally gets to be time to rebuild, the surveyors know where the property lines are. The Hawaii Land Surveyors Association was interviewed on HPR and I heard that there was some assurance that there would be an opportunity to look for and clearly mark corners. Before the contractors start skinning all the debris off , property corners included.
Did you see any fresh lath with paint and or flagging in the area you visited? I hope so 🙏🤞
Great article! 👍🤙
Paul, I didn’t notice any, but then I wasn’t looking for any. Maybe they were there and I didn’t notice. I hope so.
Good timing on the report! We’re vacationing with friends here in Ka’anapali next door to Lahaina. We’re staying till Friday. If you’re still in town, give a shout for some Mai Tai’s and Pupu’s.
I am no longer on the island, but please spend money!
I live in Sonoma County where the 2017 fires destroyed 5000+ homes in Santa Rosa plus around 2000 more in the county. We don’t have the hotel and rental market that Maui has to help keep residents in place. In 2018, the city of Paradise was decimated by fire and some of those residents headed south, looking for homes and jobs. And in 2019, another fire hit Sonoma County. Learning from 2017, Sonoma County evacuated almost half of its population so work could be focused on fire fighting, rather than public safety.
Almost every comment in your article applies to both Sonoma County and Paradise. Sure, Maui is smaller and where to put all the toxic waste provides fewer options and tougher choices. But, the biggest difference is the availability of housing options to keep residents on the island.
Those fires were awful. I covered them, and I know people who lost homes. I would say one other difference in Hawaii is the cultural and sacred concerns. When every square inch of a place is considered sacred, it’s hard to figure out how to rebuild.
Good read and updates!
My heart breaks for the people impacted.
Visited for the first time last April, what a special place.
It certainly is.