UPDATE 5.17.24: Lahaina Wildfire Insurance Losses Exceed $3 Billion
Steward Yerton reports local residents now looking at estimated insurance losses related to the Maui fires totaling $3 billion — and that’s only part of the damages residents and business owners have suffered. It’s likely damages will top $5 billion. These are steep numbers, and Hawaiian Electric Industries is among the defendants being blamed in court for the disaster.
At the same time, travel to Maui was down 25% in March compared to the same time last year, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Local residents are being crushed financially, emotionally and physically in health declines (see UPDATE 5.16.24).
UPDATE 5.16.24: Survivors of Lahaina Fires Experiencing Health Declines
Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Maui Wildfire Exposure Study (MauiWES) found that 46% of survivors o Lahaina fires experienced a decline in health from the previous year. In addition, roughly 74% of participants face a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease due to elevated or prehypertension levels, and up to 60% may suffer from poor respiratory health.
Residential impact: Only 34% of participants report living in pre-wildfire (their original) homes, while 56% are in temporary housing, and 10% have settled into new permanent residences.
Governor Green REFUSED FEMA trailers and MHUs (manufactured housing units) forcing people to shift frequently between hotels, short-term rentals, live in cars or on beaches. Trailers and MHUs would have given victims stability.
Employment and income: The wildfires caused almost half of the participants to lose their jobs; however, 80% have since secured employment, leaving 20% still unemployed at the time of the survey. Additionally, 74% have experienced a reduction in household income.
Food security: 47% of households report experiencing low food security, which is higher than previous rates observed locally and statewide.
Access to medical care, medications and health insurance disparities: More than four in ten people reported difficulties accessing medical care and medications, compared to about one in ten before the fires. Significant disparities in health insurance coverage were also found, with more than 13% of participants lacking insurance. Notably, nearly 38% of Hispanic respondents reported having no insurance coverage.
Physical health: Exposure to smoke, ash, and debris is strongly associated with worse physical health outcomes and reported symptoms. Based on tests conducted in February 2024, approximately 74% of participants face a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease due to elevated or prehypertension levels. Kidney function may be compromised in 8-20% of participants, and up to 60% may suffer from poor respiratory health.
Mental health: The survey found a notable increase in depression compared to before the fires, with more than half showing symptoms, significantly higher than state and local averages. About 30% of participants reported symptoms of moderate or severe anxiety. Elevated levels of low self-esteem (35%) and suicidal thoughts (4.4%) highlight severe mental health challenges for survivors.
Governor Green offers survivor families willing to settle out of court $1.5 MILLION for the life of a lost member. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura makes over $2 MILLION per year. HECO execs donated about $20,000 to Josh Green’s campaign for office. The Rich look after the Rich in Hawai’i.
UPDATE 5.13.24: The Destruction of Maui’s Economy Continues
“Our forecast for Maui is a 3,000- or 4,000-person loss of population between 2023 and 2024 and a very slow recovery.” That’s the opinion of University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization Executive Director Carl Bonham. UHERO’s report does not even take into account the potential economic disruptions from Maui or other counties passing new land-use restrictions for vacation rentals, which in recent years have represented much of the growth in lodging units.
⚠️4000 left Maui
⚠️5000 lost their jobs
⚠️Restaurants are now being affected
⚠️There has been no direct form of government assistance for most
⚠️Many small businesses have been denied their bridge grants, some up to 3x
⚠️ Visitor counts are down
⚠️ The economy is slowly diminishing
⚠️ International visitors have declined
Just wait until they remove the legal STVRs. This is only going to get worse. I’ve said that before and have never been wrong. [DaKine]
UPDATE 5.12.24: Local People FALSELY Blame “heartless, greedy, haole condo owners”
Hawai’i is fueled by the Coconut Wireless where lies and false rumors get halfway across the Pacific before truth is able to put on slippahs and boardshorts. Rose Tigarden took to social media to scold people who she considers to be “heartless, greedy, haole condo owners.” [note: haole is a racist slur used to denigrate White people, particularly from USA mainland; like calling Black people N_GGER.]
Hawaii Governor Green has announced that they have now found long-term housing for 80% of the fire refugees, leaving thousands still in temporary housing after 9 months. I say, “Shame, shame on you.” to the heartless, greedy, haole condo owners who refuse to convert their illegal vacation rentals back to long-term rentals. Without affordable housing for the hospitality workers there won’t be anybody to prepare meals, make the beds, or clean the toilets.
Rose Tigarden
Alan Brookes, who lives in Aspen, Colorado, responded, “we offered and they came and stayed then FEMA came and said it was not to their liking so they moved the people to hotels at $1000 per night oh well now they want to take away our income. we will see them in court!”
CHL responded to Alan and asked, “thank you for your kindness and aloha! We’re researching this corruption by Hawai’i government and FEMA. Why didn’t FEMA like your rental? Would appreciate learning.”
Alan: “I don’t know. Here’s what transpired we rented to the Red Cross in for a month and a half, and then fema came along and said all those people had to move to hotels. I know nothing more. You may ask Justin Brunold at KBM resorts, or KBM Hawaii, since they were in charge of renting to the Red Cross.”
We asked, “Thanks! Here’s our question then to you. If someone asked to rent your unit for three years, not short term, would you deny that request?”
Alan Brookes, “Probably because I use my place 3 months a year”
Rose considers people like Alan to be “heartless, greedy, haole condo owners.” E komo mai the Aloha State.
Can’t deny any person buying a second home in Hawai’i or elsewhere in the USA. If Governor Green and Mayor Bissen take away Alan’s short-term (S-T) rental permit, he doesn’t rent publicly. This limits the supply of available rentals for visitors, consultants or contract labor. Short-term prices increase; visitors are forced into more expensive hotels with fewer living amenities. Maybe fewer visitors come, taking needed income from Maui’s economy.
Alan might “give his key” to friends allowing them to use his rental without formally paying. The condo or home however might sit vacant some months. Most recent statistics showed there are about 13,000 S-T rentals on Maui and over 5,200 are vacant at this time. Resources are being wasted during a time of great need. Alan didn’t purchase solely to make money, but admits planned to rent when not used by family. Alan is a compassionate. Offered his unit to the Red Cross in the emergency.
Green and Bissen’s socialist hand in Maui’s market economy won’t solve the challenges of insufficient supply and high costs. In fact, Dr Green and former Judge Bissen show they understand economics poorly. Lahaina victims already suffered Green, Bissen, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura’s negligent action to protect the public safety. Now they further destroy the housing market.
UPDATE 5.11.24: Nine-Month Observation of August 7th Lahaina Disaster
This week Hawai’i recognized the nine-month anniversary of the deadly Lahaina wildfire. As Maui continues to recover, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day was held Friday at the Hawaii State Capitol. Only Herman Andaya resigned. Herman was actually doing his job. His rules said to “sound alarm in case of tsunami.” Was not tsunami. Mayor should have instructed him to warn resident. Mayor Bissen was nowhere to be found. HECO failed to protect the public safety. Governor Green was off-island during a major storm warning. No officials cared! No sense of urgency to protect people.
Governor Green, Mayor Bissen, HECO CEO Kimura … all still have jobs. Kimura makes over $2M per year. One Ohana Fund offers victims $1.5M for entire life. Talk about cheapskates!
UPDATE 5.10.24: HECO Finally Upgrades Poles & Lines in West Maui
Critical transmission line that serves as a back-up route of power to approximately 11,000 customers in West Maui is now online after Hawaiian Electric rebuilt the line along former routes in the Lahaina area with new steel and wood poles and electrical equipment.
Had HECO CEO Shelee Kimura focused on the public’s safety, rather than her over $2 MILLION per year salary, Lahaina would still be a vibrant historical town, at least 101+ human beings who were incinerated would be alive, and the over 13,000+ residents would not be destitute and suffering. Day Late and Dollar Short Kimura!
UPDATE 5.9.24: Lahaina Victim REFUSE FEMA Housing
Spoke to a FEMA employee in our complex the other day. She looked exhausted. “Long day,” I asked? She said, “yes, I’m exhausted. We’re working so hard to get help to needy families.” Thanked her for her courage and compassion. She looked at me. Was I serious? Again said, “Thank you so much for all you and FEMA are doing for us.” She started to cry. About 13,000 people lost their homes in the Maui fires.
Locals blame Joe Biden and FEMA. They had nothing to do with the Lahaina disaster. Incompetence, negligence at Hawaiian Electric, local state and government officials, caused the wildfires. They now encourage local people to BLAME the federal government. They seek to distract and deflect from their own failures by pointing to others. E Komo Mai, Hawai’i.
FEMA spent more than $5 million on nearly 500 empty housing units last month alone, according to a Civil Beat analysis. Locals refuse to accept these units. Locals complain because, “Much of the housing secured by FEMA is not in West Maui.” Gov. Green said some people have turned down matches “four, five, six times.”
Fire survivors have occupied 835 of 1,335 units FEMA leased directly from property owners. Remaining victims refuse. Property owners in the program are being paid an average of $6,000 per month.
Privileged Local Folks who have been displaced demand to be close to their jobs and schools. They’ve been living on Kaanapali Beach instead. Lahaina Strong now ends its 175-day occupation of the beach, Fishing for Housing, as a result of the state’s passage of moratorium on short-term rentals, see UPDATE 5.3.24.
Lahaina Strong spokesperson, Paele Kiakona, said the organization occupied the beach in the “heart of West Maui’s tourism industry to bring awareness to the fire survivors’ dire need for long-term dignified housing.” They aren’t seeking housing for victims. Kiakona is using this disaster to further their political agenda.
“As we pushed through those days on the beach, we realized that this issue needed to be dealt with for the future generations of not just Lahaina, but all of Hawaii in mind. As Lahaina Strong, we rallied hundreds, if not thousands to support the efforts to take action against the entirety of the short-term rental industry.”
Paele Kiakona, organizer of Lahaina Strong and “Fishing for Housing” campaign
CivilBeat reported taxpayer money has been wasted: “FEMA is on the hook to pay nearly $200 million to three out-of-state property management companies. Meanwhile, FEMA intends to stop paying for the hotel program tomorrow, leaving the state to pick up the tab.”
UPDATE 5.6.24: Ohana Hope Village Finally Opening To Maui Fire Survivors
Paula Dobbyn reported that Lahaina resident Michele Fernandez spent the last several months living with family in an enclosed carport in Central Maui, courtesy of church friends. Fernandez just learned she and her husband, two sons, ages 18 and 22, will move into a pair of modular homes at Ohana Hope Village in Kahului Wednesday.
A collection of 88 modular homes that Family Life Center erected near the airport finally received a permit to open from the Maui Department of Public Works. Families were told November, then February, then April 4 … Ohana Hope Village was halted for months with permitting and water issues.
There are more than 800 applications representing over 2,000 people who needed a place to live. Governor Green, Mayor Bissen aren’t in a hurry. They are toasty and comfy in their plantation mansions.
“We just assumed after the fire that people would come together.” Sellers is grateful the permit finally came through, but never expected the process to take so long. “Things don’t happen fast in Hawai’i. If Maui is to ever solve its housing crisis, “we have to move faster.”
David Sellers, Maui architect who volunteered to design Ohana Hope Village [source]
UPDATE 5.3.24: Gov Green & Maui Mayor Bissen CUT Short-Term Rentals
Short-term (S-T) rentals provide housing for tourists and contractors. They also provide income for local families. According to Maui Vacation Rental Association, there are about 13,000 units taxed at S-T rental rate: approximately 200 legal S-T rental homes, 160 bed and breakfast operations, 6,700 S-T rental condos and a handful of condos in hotel-zoned areas that can operate short term. Green and Maui Mayor Bissen, want to eliminate more than 7,000 S-T rentals on Maui by 2026.
S-T rental occupancy rate was 57.4% in March. Of 13,000+ available units, this means there are currently 5,590 available units. With thousands of victims from the Lahaina disaster, why aren’t more filled? Units are unsuitable. Maybe a second room in an occupied home or small ‘Ohana addition outside, but can’t be used for a family.
Subtracting 5,590 from the listed 13,000 available units = 7,410 usable family units. Green and Bissen want to eliminate more than 7,000 S-T rentals … which is nearly ALL the supply of usable family units. This “socialist” government intervention will create havoc in Maui’s S-T market. S-T prices will explode. Visitors and consultants will be forced into less desirable hotel rooms, which do not have cooking facilities or adequate space.
With higher prices and less desirable housing, fewer visitors will come to Maui. And, fewer visitors equal less revenue for county, state, families and small businesses. Governor Green is doctor, not economist. His short-term thinking harms Hawai’i and our people.
Solution was to use FEMA trailers and manufactured housing units (HMUs) for displaced Lahaina residents. Green claims people in trailer parks suffer emotionally. Being shuffled around from hotel to hotel, living in cars or with friends and family temporarily causes emotional instability. Better to have a “place of their own.” Green didn’t ask The Victims of Hawaiian Electric’s failure. Green ruled like a king … “let the peasants share a room with strangers.”
Josh and Jamie Green live in a comfy plantation mansion, while this draconian governor sticks desperate people in a back room of someone else’s house or takes away needed housing for visitors. Green has proven he isn’t compassionate or wise.
UPDATE 5.2.24: 55 People Have Settled with HECO, Government Out of Court
The family of each deceased victim will receive a set amount of $1.5 Million. What a scam! HECO CEO Shelee Kimura makes over $2 MILLION per year. A family gets less than one year of her pay, after Kimura’s company incinerated their loved one, destroyed their home and left them destitute for what will be many years. Of $1.5 MILLION, taxes take about 50% or half … leaving family with $750,000 for their lost member who will never be with them again.
Some people claim Josh Green is compassionate. Josh took about $20,000 from Hawaiian Electric execs for his campaign for governor. Josh now protects them. Great investment by Hawaiian Electric.
UPDATE 5.1.24: Hawaiian Electric Readies Plan for Cutting Power During Wildfire Risks
Now that Hawaiian Electric destroyed historic Lahaina town, incinerated at least 101+ human beings, including keiki, and left some 10,000+ suffering and destitute, the CEOs making multiple millions of dollars per year have prepared a plan to cut power during wildfire risks. Asians are the Best & Brightest in America. Not in Hawai’i. Asian executives at Hawaiian Electric are incompetent, cruel and a Day Late & Dollar Short. Not one has resigned.
California suffered the failure of PG&E, their electricity provider, in 2018, with the massive Camp Fire. Hawaiian Electric executives didn’t adapt, adjust or develop contingencies. There were asleep at the week; they failed to protect the public safety. Frankly, they should be in prison for the criminal negligence.
Under the PSPS plan being developed, the conditions that would prompt a power shutdown include high winds, low humidity and dry-fuel conditions susceptible to large wildfires. Topography and proximity to communities are also considered when determining PSPS risk. Not really that difficult, is it? Asians on mainland would have this plan prepared properly. Hawai’i got the bottom on the barrel management.
UPDATE 4.28.24: Hawaiian Electric Destroys Young Minds
HECO’s incompetent management incinerated a historic town and at least 101+ human beings, including keiki. They also destroyed schools. Lahaina Seniors wanted a normal year. The fires changed everything: Students at Lahainaluna High School say they’re searching for normalcy after the pandemic moved their freshman year online and the fires disrupted their senior year.
UPDATE 4.26.24: Hawaiian Gods Punish Hawaiian Electric
Hawaiian Electric management has cheated residents for generations. In 1887, William W. Hall, founder of Hawaiian Electric, led the coup against King David Kalākaua. Corporations and local businesses imprisoned his sister, Lydia, in 1893, who took the name Queen Lili’uokalani. HECO was warned about wildfire risks. They did not care about the public’s safety.
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono :: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
Hawaiian Electric is not righteous. The Hawaiian Gods now seek to dismantle the corporation.
Be sure to: Vote NO Against Hawaiian Electric Management for Incinerating Families in Lahaina
In 2019, stockholders demanded new management; people from mainland. Hawaiian Electric ignored stockholders and the public. Appointed Shelee Kimura as HECO CEO, a financial specialist who had no energy or engineering expertise. Under her direction, HECO incinerated historic Lahaina town and at least 101+ human beings, including keiki.
Hawaiian Electric (NYSE:HE) -2.3% in Thursday’s trading following a Bloomberg report that it is exploring options for its American Savings Bank FSB, including a full or partial sale. While it is not clear how much American Savings Bank would fetch in a sale, the bank’s average shareholder equity was ~$486M in 2023, according to Hawaiian Electric’s (HE) most recent annual report.
Hawaiian Electric (HE) has lost more than 70% of its market value in the past year on worries that it will be held liable for last year’s deadly Lahaina wildfire.
The stress has raised questions about the fate of American Savings Bank, Hawaii’s third-biggest bank and the only U.S. bank owned by a utility; the bank generated ~27% of Hawaiian Electric’s (HE) net income in 2023.
HECO’s Bill To Raise Money From Customers For Wildfire Mitigation Has Stalled: The utility wants to add a fee of up to 5% to customers’ bills to finance the program, but a key Senator balked. Governor Green stepped in trying to save it. Hawaiian Electric executives DONATED some $20,000 to Green’s campaign. Now Judas Josh pays them back!
UPDATE 4.20.24: Hawai’i Attorney General REFUSES to Hold Friends Accountable
Attorney General Anne E. Lopez’s much-anticipated report provides new insight into the fire response but does not address the cause of the fire. Hawai’i is the Most Corrupt state in the nation. The Oligarchical cabal of country club locals is incompetent and protects their friends.
HECO executives did not have a plan for wildfires; HECO executives did not care about the safety of the public. HECO power poles were rotten, termite infected, and not maintained to code or ordinate … HECO power lines in the area were not properly insulated to protect against sparking a fire. HECO executives FREELY DECIDED not to cut power, after the National Weather Service warned that high winds would likely topple poles and down energized power lines.
Attorney General Lopez won’t hold friends accountable. At least 101+ human beings, including keiki, were incinerated. Historic Lahaina town was destroyed. Over 10,000+ of our ‘Ohana are now destitute. Their keiki have lost another year of school. Many families are being forced off Maui or out of the islands.
Nobody from HECO has resigned. CEO Shelee Kimura sleeps warmly and safely in her bed each night. Hawai’i is the MOST CORRUPT state in the nation.
UPDATE 4.17.24: Report Details FCKUPS and HEROISM from Disastrous Wildfires
Investigation by Western Fire Chiefs Association released an 84-Page Report on the HECO ignited wildfire that killed at least 101+ human beings, destroyed historic Lahaina town and caused over $4 BILLION in damages — costs that taxpayer and HECO ratepayers will pay.
Hawaiian Electric (NYSE:HE) -14.6% in Tuesday’s trading, plunging as much as 18% to its lowest in nearly 40 years, following a local news report that an investigation of last summer’s devastating Maui fires did not find fault with first responders.
“After conducting over 200 interviews and reviewing numerous data sets, it is clear that the four major wildfires pushed the (Maui Fire Department) to an unprecedented level of strain. Despite this, the collective actions by MFD and law enforcement saved many lives and property across the island.”
HEROICS
“There were firefighters fighting the fires in Lahaina as they well knew their homes were burning down at that very moment.”
“We commend MFD for their swift actions to address the issues identified in this AAR (After Action Report), rather than waiting for AAR recommendations.”
FAILURES INCLUDE
Chief officers and some Maui Fire Department staff used “WhatsApp” for situational awareness updates, but not everyone in the department used the app.
Calls and text messages serve as the primary communication methods to staff up vehicles. Some staff members were not contacted and remained unaware of ongoing incident activities.
There was “minimal” pre-positioning of staff and equipment after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning prior to the four major wildfires breaking out on August 8, 2023
On August 8, evacuation routes across the island were obstructed by downed power poles, trees, and wires, exacerbating pre-existing challenges with accessing and leaving areas.
MFD requested law enforcement to facilitate evacuations over the radio. Although law enforcement was part of the ICS structure, lack of co-location at Incident Command Posts (ICP) was partly attributed to the dynamic nature of the incidents and available staffing.
“Nearly every staff member and vehicle resource of MFD on Maui was deployed. The emergency response system did not break but rather it found itself outmatched by the extreme weather and fire conditions. Staff members endured shifts of 36 hours or more and risked their lives in a valiant effort to stop the spread of the fires and save lives.”
UPDATE 4.16.24: Lahaina Wildfire So Hot Dangerous Contaminants Vaporized
Paula Dobbyn, CivilBeat, reported that scientists, state officials and Army Corps of Engineers now believe the Lahaina burn zone may not be as toxic as initially feared. If so, clean up should progress much more quickly.
Experts believe wind-whipped flames that tore through Lahaina on Aug. 8 created an urban fire so hot that it not only melted glass, but may have completed combusted harmful contaminants, such as dioxins, heavy metals, flame retardants and forever chemicals, rendering them inert.
UPDATE 4.12.24: Department of Health Claims It’s Safe to Go into Lahaina Waters
Hawai’i health authorities announced coastal waters off wildfire-stricken Lahaina pose no significant risk to human health and it’s safe to surf and swim. NOTE: not significant doesn’t mean safe.
State DOH made the decision after reviewing water sampling tests collected by UH researchers, Surfrider Foundation and state DLNR. Authorities continue to limit access to some coastal areas around Lahaina’s burn zone as cleanup continues. Recreation won’t be allowed in these places.
Officials warned residents and visitors to limit exposure to waters off Lahaina since the deadly fire, told people to avoid eating fish from Lahaina’s waters. The DOH announcement did not address the safety of eating fish and other marine species.
UPDATE 4.11.24: DOE Failed to Inspect Lahaina King Kamehameha III Elementary School
Asians dominate public school administration in Hawai’i. I’m a 3rd generation teacher and have never observed such poor quality education. One school expert told me Asians are in control, but send their keiki to private schools. Claims Asians don’t want public school students to compete with their children. They want their kids to get high-paying jobs; want the children in the public school system to make beds and flip burgers.
Rory Inouye, Waiakea High sShool in Hilo, and Jade Pham, Kawānanakoa Middle School, Honolulu, are honored with $25,000 prestigious Milken Educator Awards. Are Asians ensuring private school children have better education opportunities than those in public schools?
DOE superintendent Keith Hayashi, DOE deputy superintendent Curt Otaguro, communications director Nanea Kalani, and DOE did not complete a full inspection of the campus before the Corps finished its construction in February and handed off the school to the department. BOE chair Warren Haruki resigned last month, and is waiting to step down when the state Senate approves a replacement — likely Asian.
Gov Green and official rushed a temporary campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary, which opened earlier this month. The temp West Maui site could cost over $100 million. Teachers have reported leaks in the buildings and that dark, foul-smelling water came out of the faucets at the school. Students can’t use tap water for drinking purposes.
Parents are also upset because there are “few covered areas to protect students as they’re walking between classes in strong wind and rain.” Our keiki aren’t even suitable for Hawai’i any longer … no can deal with a bit of rain and wind. What a mess!!!
UPDATE 4.10.24: Corrupt Hawai’i Government WASTES Taxpayer Dollars
While FEMA is trying to find longer-term housing for Maui fire victims, they are now facing criticism for miscommunication and wasted taxpayer dollars.
About half of the rental units are reserved for Maui fire victims 1300 or so but more than 600, and mostly former vacation rentals are still vacant even as taxpayers fork over above-market rent for them.
1,100 Pieces Of Testimony Against A Bill Went Missing For Days. The Bill Passed And Then The Opponents’ Letters Showed Up: Hundreds of Lahaina fire victims came out strongly against a bill that could allow HECO to impose a new fee on customers to pay off bonds with fees imposed on customers.
In identical testimony, some 1,100 opponents blamed HECO for starting the fires and said shareholders, not customers, should bear the costs.
“As a proud Maui resident who is struggling to move past this horrific tragedy, I urge you to reject Senate Bill 2922 and demand that HECO’s shareholders bear the burdens of its corporate gross negligence.”
UPDATE 5.9.24: Rotten HECO Pole Led to Wildfire Disaster
Most detailed account so far of Lahaina wildfire points to one termite-damaged utility pole. For less than $1,000, HECO could have replaced the pole. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura and other executives were more focused on their multi-million dollar per year compensation and bonus packages than protecting the public safety.
Gross negligence led to the destruction of history Lahaina town and incineration of at least 101+ human beings, as keiki. Some 10,000 members of our ‘Ohana still living a nightmare! Kimura and Gov Josh Green haven’t missed a meal !!!
Local ‘Ohana UNHAPPY that Gov Josh Green took some $20,000 from HECO execs in campaign donations and now protects HECO execs rather than their families.
Governor “White Board” Green, just posted… Maui update. 8 months since the fire and still have families living on the beach?! Who is tired of the white board? Check out the Band-Aid AGAIN! I believe on his thumb today. Haven’t seen the scrubs for awhile. God bless Hawaii.
UPDATE 4.5.24: Hawaiian Electric WANTS More Money From You
Hawaiian Electric executives failed to have a wildfire plan. They destroyed Lahaina and incinerated at least 101+ human beings, including keiki. Thousands are still living in hotels, thousands have moved off the island, and thousands are homeless. Nobody has resigned from HECO. CEO Shelee Kimura still makes over $2 MILLION per year. Didn’t even say they were sorry!!!
“I would like to understand the audacity of HECO in thinking about raising rates on electric bills to pay for their sloppiness.”
Lars Johnson, a Lahaina resident who said he lost everything when his home burned
HECO executives now want an extra fee of up to 5% added to electric bills to develop and implement a wildfire prevention plan. Hawai’i residents pay the HIGHEST electricity costs in the nation. HECO now wants more. How many more middle class families will be forced off the islands. The rich don’t care. They’re the politicians and executives. Good-bye, they say!
HECO’s Chief Operations Officer Jim Alberts told the House Finance Committee the utility needs the fee to create a revenue stream that can be used to borrow money to pay for wildfire-related costs.
The fee would be subject to review and approval by the Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission, and would be capped at no more than 5% of consumers monthly bills, Alberts told lawmakers. [source]
UPDATE 3.30.24: Maui facing suicides, exodus amidst housing struggle
While Governor Green and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura remain safe in their O’ahu homes, organizers said 60% of Native Hawaiians in West Maui who were affected by the fire have left the island. “Every time they get a different case manager, they have to re-tell their story,” Rep. Cochran said, “they have to get this paper, get it signed, go back, I mean, it’s just been nonstop. We’re almost nine months in and we still haven’t built a home?”
“A friend of mine committed suicide, there’s deaths! And it is sad to have people move off, but it’s even sadder when people are killing themselves and no one is saying that!”
REP. ELLE COCHRAN, (D) LAHAINA, KAHAKULOA, KAHANA
Members of the Lahaina Strong community group gathered at the Hawai’i State Capitol on Thursday, March 28th, and said they understand that a short-term rental moratorium is no longer needed since displaced families have started to trickle into more permanent housing.
“We still need to tackle this short-term rental issue,” Lahaina Strong organizer Paele Kiakona said. “Because the short term rental industry has exacerbated the housing market and made it way too expensive for anybody to even afford a family home here in Hawai’i.” [source]
UPDATE 3.27.24: Local People in Hawai’i Say FCK YOU to Americans
Local resident of Hawai’i, Nicole Kuulei Carter, claims “still no help” from USA and Americans for Lahaina disaster. Nicole went to Kapaa High School, currently lives in Kalihiwai, Hawai’i, and is from Kilauea on the island of Kaua’i.
Nicole isn’t from Maui; didn’t live in Lahaina. Yet Nicole says FCK YOU to USA and Americans, claims “America is a sad joke;” claims she is “sad that Hawai’i is part of America;” and boasts that “we don’t act American. We act with love and care for everyone no matter who you are or what you are.” Nicole claims Americans “should be ashamed of themselves.” Nicole believes she lives aloha.
What selfish people in Hawai’i. USA and Americans had nothing to do with the Lahaina tragedy. LOCAL OFFICIALS are 100% responsible. Yet only Herman Andaya, official who failed to sound the warning sirens, has resigned. Hawai’i is the Most Corrupt State in the nation. There is NO accountability here. Nicole and many others blame USA and Americans.
A director of FEMA lives in our complex. There are over 4,000 employees under his command working to rebuild Lahaina. FEMA and the USA didn’t destroy Lahaina. LOCAL PEOPLE destroyed Lahaina. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura was warned. She did nothing. Gov Green did nothing. Maui mayor Bissen did nothing and wondered, “Who’s in charge?” (the mayor is in charge)
Look how Nicole talks about America: “America is a sad joke!” She flips off Americans. America didn’t destroy Lahaina. LOCAL PEOPLE did … and nobody but Herman has resigned. Hawai’i is most corrupt state in nation. Now Nicole and others want America to bail LOCALS out !!! That’s NOT aloha !!!
UPDATE 3.26.24: State of Hawai’i FINALLY Opens Lahaina Public School
Lahaina students had no classroom for the entire school year up to Spring Break. Rich keiki continued to attend private schools on Maui. Poorer families studied in cars, hotel lobbies or under tents in parks and beaches. Like the COVID19 year, these less advantaged students have LOST another school year. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Gov Josh Green & HECO CEO Shelee Kimura keep their keiki in private schools. They are responsible for the catastrophe in Lahaina! Resign!
UPDATE 3.18.24: Officials Demand Lahaina Fire-Displace Residents Get Out of Hotels
More than 3,500 people who survived the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina are still living in hotels set up as emergency shelters, unable or unwilling to move into longer term housing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering through direct-lease contracts with Maui homeowners.
Why is HECO CEO Shelee Kimura Laughing? She still makes over $2 MILLION per year!
A recent business rule agreed upon by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state has been issued, authorizing Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and a joint task force to implement actions that will help facilitate efforts to transition households out of Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) currently living in hotels. [source]
The State of Hawai’i has a record $1.5 billion in its Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund (EBRF). Yet the ongoing scramble for emergency wildfire recovery funding at the Legislature doesn’t appear dire enough to tap what is commonly known as Hawaii’s “rainy day fund” or EBRF. Legislators, HECO and Governor Green want ratepayers and taxpayers to foot the Lahaina costs!
Legislation moving through the Legislature would raise your electric bill. It would help Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) raise capital to pay for wildfire-related expenses, including all those lawsuits. Without the State co-signing its loan, HEI couldn’t get one. It would be forced into bankruptcy and debts would be wiped out in bankruptcy court. No debts = no rate hikes.
But, coming out of bankruptcy, new HEI owners would be outside Hawaii’s old-boy power structure. That’s what the Legislature is trying to prevent — and you’re going to have to pay $5B for it.
UPDATE 3.14.24: Over 1,000 Maui fire survivors to sue Kamehameha Schools, state of Hawai’i and Hawaiian Electric for their negligence igniting and fueling the fires
UPDATE 3.11.24: Hawaiian Electric Destroyed Lahaina. Now Seeks YOUR Money to Pay
“What HECO is asking for is the authority to put a new fee on the front of your bill, and they will use those funds for specific operations, that is to be determined,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, chairman of the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee. “But it’s not clear yet. There are so many unknowns to HECO situation, that we are not at the point where I think the Legislature is comfortable just saying yes. How much money do they need? What is it going to be used for? What are the terms of these agreements?”
HECO President & CEO Shelee M.T. Kimura was awarded $2,077,532 in total compensation for 2023. She didn’t have a plan to prevent a wildfire disaster in the Lahaina area. Kimura was concerned about her family; not yours. Now you pay for her failure.
“The No. 1 concern is how is this going to impact bills, electric bills for residents?” [source]
HECO declined to be interviewed, but the company 400-page annual report laid out the impact of credit downgrades, causing a liquidity crunch — meaning they cannot easily borrow money that big utilities need even in good times.
UPDATE 3.8.24: Gov Josh Green and HECO Day Late and Dollar Short
Gov Josh Green, the Corrupt one, announced planned deployment of 80 wildfire sensors and 16 wind sensors across Hawai‘i. The initiative reflects the Homeland Security Department’s continued commitment to support long-term recovery efforts following the unprecedented wildfires on Maui.
Screenshot X: 3.8.24
USA Homeland Security Department had to step in. Hawai’i was a day late and dollar short deploying these sensors. State officials and HECO execs were warned about the dangers beginning in 2014. They did nothing. They witnessed the failures in California in 2018. Again, they did nothing.
X Screenshot 3.8.24
State officials and HECO execs are paid big money to protect the public safety. Day late and dollar short. They did nothing. At least 101+ human beings were incinerated; Lahaina destroyed; and over 10,000+ of our ‘Ohana remains displaced at this time. Mahalo Gov Josh Green, officials and HECO execs.
UPDATE 3.6.24: Oregon Jury Awards Additional $42 Million to Wildfire Victims
Corrupt Gov Josh Green, who shills for Hawaiian Electric after receiving nearly $20,000 in campaign donations, urges Lahaina wildfire victims to settle their losses for a measly $1.5M. An Oregon jury ordered PacifiCorp to pay more than $42 million to 10 victims ($4.2M each) for the devastating wildfires on Labor Day 2020. PacifiCorp was found liable for failing to cut power to customers despite warning from officials. [source]
HECO was warned on August 6, 2023 by the National Weather Service that violent winds would likely down power lines. HECO admits to taking no action to de-energize power lines, and faulty HECO equipment ignited the fire that destroyed Lahaina on August 8th, and incinerated at least 101 human beings, including keiki. Corrupt Green seeks to scare financially struggling families, hoping they’ll take small sum of money. Federal and state taxes will reduce the trifle amount, and costs are exceptionally high in Hawai’i. Smart families will wait for a jury trial and larger settlement.
UPDATE 3.4.24: Gov Josh Green Accepted $20K in Political Donations from Hawaiian Electric
Residents have wondered why Governor Green has been protecting and shilling for Hawaiian Electric, since the corporation ignited the fires that destroyed Lahaina, and incinerated at least 101 members of our ‘Ohana, including keiki. Now we know. Hawaiian Electric padded Green’s pockets. Hawai’i Governor Josh Green is one corrupt MTHERFCKER !!! Green got his 30 Pieces of Silver!
The total amount of individual political donations by Hawaiian Electric Industries and Hawaiian Electric Co. executives since 2020 comes in at just under $30,000. [source]
Gov. Josh Green took in two-thirds of that total with $19,375 in individual donations between July 2022 and October 2023. A dozen HECO and HEI executives gave substantial contributions including $4,000 from HECO President Shelee Kimura and $3,000 from HEI President and CEO Scott Seu. Green did not receive any funds from Hawaiian Electric CEG. Green’s running make, Lt. Gov Sylvia Luke, received a total of $6,300 from Seu and other executives.
UPDATE 3.2.24: Guilty Parties Attempt to Buy Off Victims. Don’t Fall for It
The $175 million One Ohana fund to compensate families of people killed in the deadliest U.S. wildfires in more than a century began accepting applications Friday from families who lost loved ones or were seriously injured in Maui’s wildfires. At least 101 human beings, and keiki were incinerated.
“I would be very surprised if 100% of people took this offer, because some people will find that it’s better to litigate. That is absolutely OK.”
Hawai’i Governor Josh Green
Families of those killed would receive $1.5 million after their eligibility is confirmed by retired Judge Ronald Ibarra of Hawai’i island’s 3rd Circuit Court. Those seriously injured would receive a share to be determined by Ibarra.
People who accept the fund’s money will waive their right to sue the entities who contributed to the fund. Hawaiian Electric is the single largest underwriter at $75 million, followed by the state of Hawai’i at $65 million, landowner Kamehameha Schools at $17.5 million and Maui County at $10 million. Green said those who sue could potentially wait three, four or five years before they receive money and incur significant legal costs.
Remember that ANY large payout is taxed about 50%. Families receiving $1.5 million will “take home” about $750,000. The death of a family’s loved one is worth far more than this amount. Wait and sue!
UPDATE 3.1.24: Gov Green Opposes FEMA Solution for Housing Victims
According to the state’s Joint Housing Task Force, 659 households who are victims of HECO’s wildfire incompetence now reside in West Maui hotels, which is $1,000 per day, per family. State doesn’t have enough money. Contract with the Red Cross ends July 1st. Make HECO execs pay!
“Are we doing what they’ve done in other states, what FEMA has done in other states by offering trailers and tents?”
Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, (D) Kapalama, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley
Gov Green disagrees with standard FEMA housing protocols. “That was very distressing that anyone would suggest that after our people and many children were traumatized by the state’s worst natural disaster in history that they would turn them into refugees into tent camps and trailer parks,” said Gov. Josh Green. “I think it’s unconscionable to suggest that.”
Living in a short-term rentals are better? Being bounced from one location to another is better? Having to live on east side of Maui, and be forced to drive each day to west Maui is better? For these reasons, residents must demand accountability from incompetent HECO management. Their executives did not care about the public’s safety. Look at the disaster they caused to our ‘Ohana.
UPDATE 2.29.24: Permanent Dump Site Selected for Lahaina Fire Debris
Currently toxic debris from the Lahaina fire is being temporarily stored at an Olowalu site than is close to the ocean. Officials have selected a privately owned rock quarry in Puunene as the permanent dump site for over 400,000 cubic yards of Lahaina fire debris.
Selecting the site now reduces risk of ocean contamination and decreases costs having to move the toxic debris a second time. While the 20-acre property is expected to cause more traffic than other proposed sites, officials selected the central Maui location as it was a more safe distance from the ocean, homes, schools and hospitals. Media reported that cheers erupted after the county announced the decision.
UPDATE 2.27.24: Southern California Edison Pays $80M for Massive Wildfires in 2017
Electricity providers learned in 2017 and 2018 to de-energize power lines in high winds. Hawaiian Electric was not paying attention. Southern California Edison will now pay $80 million to settle claims on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service connected to a massive wildfire that destroyed more than a thousand homes and other structures in 2017. Investigations found utility equipment sparked the fire in two canyon locations on Dec. 4, 2017. The Thomas fire, which burned across 439 square miles in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
In 2022, former executives and directors of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)agreed to pay $117 million to settle a lawsuit over devastating Northern California wildfires sparked by that utility’s equipment in 2017 and 2018.
Hawaiian Electric faces billions in damages and losses for the August 8, 2023 Lahaina wildfires that destroyed over 2,000+ homes and buildings, incinerated at least 101 human beings, including keiki, and left some 10,000+ of our ‘Ohana terrorized.
UPDATE 2.26.24: Who Will Pay for Lahaina Fire Property Damage
Reality is starting to hit victims and residents of Hawai’i in the face. Emotion has dominated discussion and action since the August 8th disaster, triggered by Hawaiian Electric incompetence. Who is going to pay? Why you, my pretties !!! You will pay. Any state funding comes from increasing taxes on Hawai’i residents. Any Hawaiian Electric funding comes from increasing rates on electricity subscribers. YOU WILL PAY !!! Still nobody has resigned or lost jobs at Hawaiian Electric.
Officials plan to launch a $175 million fund to settle claims by families of people killed in the Lahaina wildfire. It remains unclear how the State of Hawai’i and Hawaiian Electric Industries will cover the property damage claims. Some estimates suggest property damage claims will exceed $5 billion. Ultimately, Hawai’i residents will pay. You and me!
Scott Seu, Hawaiian Electric Industries’ president and chief executive, said the company may look at “shareholder contributions” and new fees on customers to help cover claims. Why does Scott Seu, and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura still keep their jobs? Hawaiian Electric incompetence caused the disaster. Now, you and I will pay the costs — Seu and Kimura retain million dollar jobs!
UPDATE 2.22.24: Pop-Up Village for Lahaina Fire Victims Battles Red Tape to Finally Open
Construction on a project to provide rent-free housing to fire survivors began 11 days after the disaster, but the grand opening has been delayed by months. The largest obstacle centers on what to do with waste generated by hundreds of people living in a relatively condensed space, and how to provide residents with water for drinking, washing and fire suppression.
Second, the project needs access to a scarce resource that’s often fought over on the Valley Isle: water. Permitting obstacles have also gotten in the way, and the county isn’t really budging, organizers say. Meanwhile, 2,500 people are looking to move in. [more]
UPDATE 2.21.24: State Officials Consider RAISING TAXES to Pay for Lahaina
A daunting yet still-blurry picture of how much the state might have to pay for Maui wildfire recovery expenses in the near term emerged yesterday at the state Legislature. The People will be forced to pay these costs. Corrupt, incompetent HECO execs and government officials destroyed Lahaina. At least 101 human beings and keiki were incinerated. Some 10,000 of our ‘Ohana were displaced. Only Herman Andaya had the honor to step down. He failed to sound the warning sirens.
HECO CEO Shelee Kimura continues to receive compensation of more than $1.3 MILLION per year. HECO claims the company is financially stable. Wildfires didn’t hurt executives who destroyed Lahaina or their families. All is good in HECO-Town. Maui Mayor Bissen, who failed to take control of the crisis, remains in office.
Governor Josh Green refuses to demand accountability and hold officials responsible. The People now will suffer more being forced to pay for the failure of the privileged class in Hawai’i. Taxes will go up. Electricity rates will increase. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura continues as CEO. She belongs in prison.
UPDATE 2.20.24: Costs of Maui Fire Recovery Running Higher for State Than Expected
The State of Hawai’i is encurring about $1 million per day in costs to shelter Lahaina fire survivors, and concerns are mounting that the state may not receive as much federal reimbursement as expected. Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz is raising concerns as his Ways and Means Committee considers emergency appropriation measures.
Dela Cruz told reported that the state’s share of the recovery effort this year alone may amount to $600 million, which is the sum Gov. Josh Green had earmarked in his financial plan for the Maui recovery during the next four years.
UPDATE 2.18.24: Lahaina Victims Turn Down FEMA Housing
Why Are Hundreds Of Lahaina Fire Survivors Turning Down FEMA Housing? Because They’re Not In West Maui: FEMA has secured about 1,500 properties for long-term housing for fire victims but only about a third are in West Maui.
Enough of this spoiled, entitled, privileged behavior! Local Officials destroyed your homes. You do not call for resignations. We offer you temp houses. You say these aren’t good enough. Brah, you are selfish people! You do nothing but complain. It will take 5-10 years to rebuild. You have to cooperate. We live on islands. Many challenges. We’re all trying to help you. You don’t help in return. Practice gratitude.
UPDATE 2.14.24: Lahaina Death Toll Rises to At Least 101
Police identify remains of additional missing persons, as Maui officers continue their search for the two people left on the “credible missing person’s list” from the August 8th fires. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura still not held accountable for not having a plan. Makes over $1.3 MILLION per year. Failed to prepare for the worst. Failed her duty to protect the people of Hawai’i.
To date, 7,796 people have been moved into housing through the American Red Cross non-congregate sheltering program, but 4,961 more people remain in hotels, Governor Green said.
UPDATE 2.9.24: Six-Month Review Shows Disaster Continues
Not only did incompetent HECO execs and local government officials decimate Lahaina and residents, Hawai’i Department of Education now crushes learning opportunities for displaced families. Maui schools will provide as few as 126 days of instruction this year — missing nearly a third of the required school year. DOE asked the board to waive minimum school year length for all affected Maui schools. Could have set up temp schools in hotels. Young keiki will never recover.
“Without a doubt there is a ton more work to do. This is like a decade-long experience, not unlike 9/11 when people for year after year after year still need the support. They may get housed, but trauma persists.”
Incompetent Governor Josh Green. People will suffer for a decade
UH Manoa professors Ruben Juarez and Alika Maunakea summarized conditions in initial findings from 224 adult participants who signed up in the first two weeks of the study. There has not been much “spirit of Aloha” from officials. Governor Green, HECO execs have not opened their homes to people in need.
A. Self-reported health outcomes
- 49% said their health is now worse than last year (prior to wildfires)
- 24% reported not having regular access to medical care
- 13% reported not having health insurance (compared with 1.7% in a previous survey)
B. Physical health
- 74% may be experiencing poor respiratory health
- 49% exhibiting signs of mild to severe lung obstruction
- 33% have compromised lung function linked to impaired tissue oxygenation
- 21.5% have high blood pressure (stage 1 and 2 hypertension)
- 8-18% may have compromised kidney function
C. Mental health
- 55% are exhibiting depressive symptoms (compared with 33% previously)
- Depression rates increased with age, peaking at 75% in those age 50-59
- 34.6% reported low self-esteem
- 1.3% reported recent suicidal thoughts
UPDATE 2.5.24: Activist Shareholder Calls for Overhauling HECO’s Board
Corporate directors are inbred in Hawai’i. There is a lack of diversity in personnel and thought. As a result, the chairman of the board of Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. Timothy Johns is also the president and chief executive of a local insurance company that’s suing HECO and its affiliated companies, alleging Hawaiian Electric caused the Maui wildfires. [source]
Johns has recused himself from any involvement in potential claims, but the conflict of interest is glaring. At the same time an activist shareholder Kevin Barnes is pushing to replace HECO’s board in light of the Maui fires. Individual investor Barnes has stepped in to buy a position of HECO preferred stock shares since the fires, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. His position of 15,699 “Series H” preferred shares amounts to 6% of those total preferred shares.
Preferred shares of HECO trade on the over-the-counter exchange. They are different from the shares of the holding company, Hawaiian Electric Industries, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange. HEI is the parent of HECO and American Savings Bank.
Barnes is using his position to try replace HECO’s board members with people he says have better skillsets to guide the company out of the legal and financial quagmire the company has fallen into since the wildfire. Shareholders made the same request in November 2019. HECO ignored their calls, and Lahaina was destroyed, over 100 human beings killed and now some 10,000+ of our ‘Ohana displaced.
UPDATE 2.3.24: HECO Wants Public to Pay for Lahaina Disaster — Next Disaster as Well
HECO seeks to privatize profits and require taxpayers to cover losses. Utilities, insurers, large landowners and the state would pay into a “wildfire relief fund” to help pay for property damage claims. They will pay? They will use our money to pay into the fund. Folks, this example is why Hawai’i is ranked #1 Most Corrupt state in nation. These people are criminals and mafia. Sadly the general public simply has no idea how badly they’re getting cheated.
This is why February is Olelo Hawai’i Month. Learn the Hawaiian language. People who don’t speak or read English well are easier to control. Plantation owners did the same thing in the 19th century!
UPDATE 2.2.24: Hawaiian Electric is Day Late and Dollar Short
HECO is warning residents of likely power outages Friday and through the weekend. Energized power lines may be downed by strong winds. Heavy rains might also lead to flooding of underground cables and other equipment.
HECO now has in place “enhanced wildfire safety protocols,” due to the disaster the executives caused in Lahaina. As the saying goes, “day late and dollar short!” As of Friday, Jan. 26th, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) reported that 5,290 people remained housed in 28 hotels as part of the program.
HECO was warned beginning in 2014. There were wildfires on mainland, as well in our islands around 2018. HECO did nothing. Had no plan. HECO execs focused on their profits and bonuses — not the safety of Hawai’i resident. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura is learning on the job. Her incompetence killed at least 100 members of our ‘Ohana and destroyed historic Lahaina town. Kimura refuses to step down. HECO protects their own, not you and me!
More information on the new protocols, and maps of areas deemed at risk, are available at Hawaiian Electric’s website. Had HECO done this in August, Lahaina and our ‘Ohana would be vibrant today. Very, very bad people! They should be asked to leave the islands.
UPDATE 1.26.24: HECO Continues to CHEAT Residents
HECO’s plan (1.25.24) demands that The People bail out the company … by INCREASING our electricity bills. This option is a REGRESSIVE TAX. Hurts poor and middle class families more than those who are wealthy. This corruption dominates Hawai’i. The RICH eat first; scraps for everyone else. They have two homes; we have two jobs!
Better solution: HECO management and government fucked up! [1] HEI CEO Scott Seu and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura need to resign; be replaced with experienced professionals from mainland. [2] Bail out HECO using a STATE INCOME TAX … taxing the RICH more than middle class and poor families.
That’s what an aloha state would do. Watch! Governor Green, Speaker Saiki will protect the rich and punish poor and middle class people. These corrupt criminals belong in prison!
UPDATE 1.25.24: HECO Demands Ratepayers Bail Out Company Obligations to Rebuild Lahaina
As we warned, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura refuses to accept responsibility and step down for killing at least 100 human beings and destroying historic Lahaina town. Kimura was a “diversity” appointment and unprepared to direct our electric utility. HECO hired a girl to do a WOMAN’s job!
HECO execs have now convinced state legislators to bail out the killers by allowing the utility to raise cash and increase costs to consumers without going through the standard rate-making process.
Two utility securitization bills have been submitted at Hawaiian Electric’s request, and two more as part of Gov. Josh Green’s package the Legislature will consider this session, which opened last week and runs through early May.
The bills would allow Hawaiian Electric to issue a new type of bond to pay for wildfire mitigation and for expenses related to the wildfires that killed 100 people and destroyed much of Lahaina in August. Those expenses potentially include legal fees and settlements related to scores of lawsuits alleging the utility should be held liable for starting the fires. [source]
UPDATE 1.23.24: Insurance Companies Going After Hawaiian Electric
CivilBeat reports that insurers have paid more than $1 billion in claims to West Maui residential policyholders alone, and now they, too, are looking to collect. Will HECO pay for their incompetence and failure or Hawai’i residents?
State Farm and Island Insurance are among more than 140 insurance industry plaintiffs that have filed suit against utilities and landowners such as Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom and Kamehameha Schools. They’re arguing that these parties were negligent in allowing the fires to start and spread.
HECO executives were warned about tinder dry non-native grasses. They were warned about high winds. Their power poles were not up to code; power lines not insulated. They did not shut off power, de-energize, lines once warned. At least 100 human beings including keiki were incinerated!
UPDATE 1.21.24: Thousands Rally in Lahaina to Support Displaced Residents
People from across the state joined displaced Lahaina residents for the largest gathering in the town since the Aug. 8 fires.
Roughly 1,500 people registered for the Hoʻulu Lahaina Unity Gathering, joining hands and hoisting flags of the nations represented in the Lahaina community’s makeup.
Archie Kalepa, who founded the nonprofit Lele Aloha that organized Saturday’s event, said the people of Lahaina have to band together if they’re going to rebuild all that’s been lost. #LahainaStrong
Governor Josh Green attempts to insert his presence into this popular movement: “Our community came together to heal and reflect on the tragedies of the Maui wildfires.”
No, Josh, not YOUR community. Your Community is the privileged elites who DESTROYED Lahaina and incinerated at least 100 human beings. You protect YOUR Community. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen refuse to resign. We cannot heal until officials are held responsible.
UPDATE 1.18.24: NOBODY Was In Charge During Worst Wildfire Disaster in USA History
Three weeks after disaster on August 8, 2023, Maui Mayor Bissen told the public, “I’m not sure who was in charge.” NOBODY was in charge! Hawai’i residents pay millions of dollars for government and business services. When it mattered, none were sufficiently competent or capable of protecting the people. There are Three Cs of Leadership: Command, Control & Communication. Hawai’i officials failed all three on August 8th.
Allyson Blair, HNN, reports that Maui County Emergency Operation Center’s sign-in sheet is a public record, but officials have been reluctant to release the document. Of the 38 people who signed in during the disaster, the County redacted more than half the names — 20 total — something Toby Clairmont in his decade’s long career has never seen.
“Their job is to focus governmental and non-governmental resources and decision making. So everybody is standing in the same room, looking at each other, making collaborative decisions. So you know who was there, what their role was when they were there and when they left … we’d like to know who was there when those decisions were made.
Toby Clairmont, Emergency Management Executive, 3rd in Command
UPDATE 1.17.24: Support Lāhainā Strong at the Capitol on Opening Day!
Fire survivors and Maui community leaders, under the banner of Lāhainā Strong, are rallying at the Capitol, Wednesday January 17th, as the legislative session kicks off. As one of our O‘ahu supporters, we ask you to join us and support the movement as we bring our demands to the Capitol!
At 9:30am supporters will lead the Onipa‘a Peace March, sponsored by Ka Lāhui, starting from Mauna‘ula Royal Mausoleum and marching 1.7 miles to to ‘Iolani Palace, right across the street from the Capitol. At 11:30am the group will rally across the street at the Capitol to make sure that legislators know their simple demands for Lāhainā and all of Hawai‘i:
- House The People
- Restore The Wai
- Heal The ‘Āina
- Transform The Economy
- End Corruption
Please join and march with #LahainaStrong beginning at 9:30am at Mauna‘ula Royal Mausoleum or llater at 11:30am at the Capitol as we rally and make their voices heard to legislators.
UPDATE 1.16.24: Lahaina Wildfire Removal Begins Today
Debris removal process is a collaboration between Maui County, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and US Army Corps of Engineers. Debris from designated areas will be trucked to the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site. Inefficiently and costly, debris will have to be moved to a permanent site later. Sign up for Debris Removal here.
This is a $40 million project funded primarily by FEMA and implemented by the Corps and contractor ECC Constructors LLC. They will move ash and waste from areas once owners have completed their right-of-entry authorization process. It’s estimated crews will removed 600,000 tons of ash and waste over the next year.
“It will be a long and challenging process, but as each load of ash and debris is carefully wrapped, wetted and hauled away, we will be getting one step closer to rebuilding Lahaina.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen
Entire operation is contingent on the completion of the Right of Entry process by property owners in the affected areas. Removal process will use a “burrito” wrapping method for each truckload. Officials hope to prevent debris and ash from becoming airborne during transport.
Each truckload will be sprayed with water and secured with thick industrial plastic, which creates “burrito” wrapping, and then sealed with adhesive to prevent debris and ash from flying into the air during transport.
UPDATE 1.14.24: Massive Brown Plume Has Scientists Worried
Da Kine posted on social media that a group of scientists raced into the ocean off Lahaina on Wednesday morning to quickly gather samples from a massive brown plume that surrounded the fire-scorched West Maui town.
Wearing waders, gloves and respirators, they filled buckets and test tubes with murky liquid that will help yield clues about what’s in the water. “We were seeing really high turbidity numbers like I’ve never seen in the field before,” said Liz Yannell, program manager with Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a group of nonprofits that does ocean health work. “Incredibly high.”
UPDATE 1.12.24: Hawai’i Named MOST CORRUPT in Nation
Corruption has been bad for decades. Corruption however led to the destruction of Lahaina town, incineration of at least 100 human beings, including children, and displaced some 10,000+ of our ‘Ohana. We call for the resignation of Gov Josh Green, Mayor Bissen and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura. All were warned. They failed to protect us! We will never forget; we can never forgive their incompetence, corruption and cruelty! [source]
UPDATE 1.9.24: HECO Calls Off Rolling Blackouts; Failed with Maui
On August 6, 2023, the National Weather Service warned Hawaiian Electric officials that high winds would likely topple energized power lines. HECO claims they had no plan to respond to inclement weather. However, HECO implemented “rolling blackouts” January 8, 2024, due to insufficient electricity generation. Could have done the same in the Lahaina area on August 8th. HECO managerial incompetence incinerated the historic town and at least 100 human beings.
“Due to insufficient generation, earlier this evening Hawaiian Electric began ‘load shedding,’ a process of systematically disconnecting customers in various areas around the island, as part of a predetermined sequence under the company’s emergency procedures. The targeted emergency outages are necessary to avoid a more widespread outage or damage to the electric system from an imbalance of too much demand versus too little available generation.”
HECO News Release
UPDATE 1.8.24: Maui Residents SUE West Maui Housing Developer
Our ‘Ohana is suffering, some 10,000+ family members lost everything, struggle for housing. Now the privileged sue to obstruct development of new housing. There is little aloha on Maui at this time.
West Maui Housing Developer Is Being Sued By Downwind Neighbors: Residents say red dust from excavation activity at the Pulelehua project is infiltrating nearby properties, causing a range of health and nuisance issues.
UPDATE 1.7.24: Maui Senator McKelvey SHREDS Government Plan and Action
“Nearly five months after the wildfire, I joined the Senate Ways and Means Committee on a site visit to the burn zone yesterday. I aimed to help them grasp the devastation firsthand. However, the predominant feelings were heartbreak for my community and an urgent need for action.”
“I felt disappointed upon learning about the State and County administrations’ unexpected joint announcement regarding their interim housing plan. Essentially, the plan will not only continue to exacerbate the rental market’s hyperinflation but also displace West Maui families by relocating them to long-term accommodations at Maui Lani, severing their community ties.”
“Many residents, including those with children in school, work on the West side. Forcing them to relocate, even temporarily—which history shows could mean years—to Maui Lani for housing is illogical when viable options exist in West Maui. Typically, it takes an hour to travel from Maui Lani to the West side on a Monday morning. Now, add trucks hauling debris and increased tourist traffic, and daily standstills become inevitable.”
How can this be a sensible plan? [more]
UPDATE 1.6.24: Green, Bissen announce $500M plan to house displaced Maui families
Government and nonprofit partners launched the Maui Interim Housing Plan, collectively committing $500 million to create a pool of more than 3,000 stable housing units with 18-month commitments: FEMA, $250M: State of Hawai’i, $150M; Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Maui Strong Fund, $50M; Maui County, $40M; CNHA, Kākoʻo Maui Fund, $5M.
“FEMA’s financial assistance has been a critical piece to addressing the immediate housing needs on Maui. In addition to the $250M FEMA is providing for hoteling and rental assistance to individuals, FEMA is currently leasing approximately 1,500 units to house survivors and is designing multiple group sites to house up to 500 households in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The estimated costs for these efforts total an additional $450M, which greatly enhances our ability to house all who need it. This partnership is unprecedented and critical to our collective success as a state.”
Governor Josh Green
Currently, 2,400-plus households, totaling more than 5,928 individuals, remain housed in more than 30 hotels throughout Maui, in a program of non-congregate sheltering facilitated by the American Red Cross. The goal is to move all individuals and families who are in short-term hotels into long-term stable housing by July 1, 2024.
UPDATE 1.5.24: Hawai’i Management STUPIDiTY Continues
Maui Mayor Bissen announced Thursday that the location selected to hold debris from last year’s deadly wildfires that incinerated Lahaina will only store the waste temporarily. The Olowalu site will be used only until a permanent location is identified.
Officials have had over four months to select a permanent site: FAILED. Due to their incompetence, ash and small particles will be dumped at the Olowalu site, which alarms environmentalists. The toxic dump will be just 350 meters from the coast, where a reef hosts the largest known manta ray population in the U.S. and serves as a primary source of coral larvae for waters off Lanai, Molokai and West Maui.
Bissen reported there is an estimated 305,000 cubic meters of debris that needs to be removed, which is the equivalent of five football fields stacked five stories high. This toxic garbage will have to be moved a SECOND TIME — costing taxpayers double the money!
This failure documents the incompetence and stupidity of Hawaii’s government and industry. They waste millions and millions of dollars. Nobody is held accountable for failure.
UPDATE 12.31.23: Seeking Individual Smart Enough to PUSH Warning Siren Button
DaKine claims this buggah is “someone with respectful qualifications to do the job.” Maui Fire Department veteran, Amos Lonokailua-Hewett, has been named the new head of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, more than four months after a previous administrator stepped down amid criticism over his handling of devastating wildfires.
How do we know bruddah is competent? LOCALS destroyed Lahaina. LOCALS are corrupt and incompetent. LOCALS appointed this dude. Why not hire from outside Hawai’i. How hard is it to PUSH the warning alert button? All smiles until our peoples dies!!!
Ever heard of The Peter Principle? What you did yesterday isn’t a predictor of success tomorrow. The Peter principle is a management concept developed by Laurence J. Peter that observes people in a hierarchy tend to rise to “a level of respective incompetence.”
Nearly 1,000 Maui Residents were forced to FLEE the island in 2023. Officials refuse to accept responsibility. How many will be refugees in 2024?
While Green, Bissen and Shelee Kimura continue to neglect their duty to our ‘Ohana and resign, Guy Fieri dedicates his privilege to The People. Mahalo for the generous donation!
UPDATE 12.29.23: California Communities Offer Practical Solutions to Recovery
Had HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, making nearly $2 MILLION per year, paid attention to California after PG&E power lines ignited 2018 Camp Fire, Lahaina and residents would not have been incinerated. HECO and government officials were warned beginning in 2014. They cared only for their salaries, bonuses and stock prices — not the SAFETY of the people! Kimura, Gov Green, Mayor Bissen need to resign. We can never trust them again!
UPDATE 12.26.23: More Families FORCED to FLEE Due to Government & Industry Failure
“I kind of go between anger and sadness on a daily basis,” Chadwick said. “This has been my home for a really long time, and I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else, and so being basically forced to leave because we can’t find any rentals that will take our family and dogs for under $10,000 and that in turn makes me very angry.”
We’ve been calling for resignation of Josh Green, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura and Maui Mayor Bissen. Now do you hear us? Our families lost everything including their homes. Why haven’t these three lost their jobs?
12.25.23: Lahaina Keiki Don’t Need Toys. They Need Homes
While this is a feel-good and heartwarming story, it’s a bandaid to the problem. Adults feel good, keiki get a shot of joy, but tonight they’ll all still sleep in a foreign bed. Hawai’i local government and industry officials failed the people of Hawai’i, particularly Lahaina, Maui, with their incompetence. Still Gov Josh Green, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, and Maui Mayor Bissen refuse to step down. We can never trust them again!
NBC News claims there was “joy and hope” again for these keiki (children) and their families. There were 881 registered keiki who made a list of what they wanted. Donations came from around the world. Mahalo and thank you, but an iPad isn’t helpful without a home.
UPDATE 12.22.23: No Place for Jesus. No Homes for Lahaina Victims
“All I want 4 Christmas is Long-term Housing.” As they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Gov. Josh Green has not opened his home. Millionaire HECO CEO Shelee Kimura has no room in her luxurious plantation home. Jesus was born in a manger. Lahaina victims aren’t welcomed in corporate inns on Maui.
As government officials and corporate executives fail, community groups rise to the occasion. We will never forget those who destroyed our ‘Ohana. A philanthropic partnership led by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is offering a direct leasing program and increased stipends for hosts to expand options for Displaced Maui Families struggling to find housing.
What do you get when the only thing leadership cares for is greed, high taxation, and the push to remove STRs to fully maximize profits to the hotels and the stakeholders behind them? Longtime Hawai’i Visitors Bid Farewell: The Why Behind Their Leaving [Beat of Hawai’i]
After 14 years of going to Kaua’i (spent 2.5 months on my last visit), I am now going to Costa Rica for $125/night.
Ian
I’ve tried to reserve in Ko Olina in Honolulu but prices are ridiculous.
Martha
We have flights booked for February to Maui. Rates for hotels and resorts are insane. The Courtyard by Marriott Kahului Airport hotel was over $800 a night after taxes/fees. I’m waiting for deals on short term rentals In Waikiki… Worst case scenario is we cancel the entire thing as the flights are fully refundable.
Doug
As a Floridian who loves Hawai’i and would visit again, all I see everywhere are comments from the governor and residents about not wanting tourism and complaining that tourists are ruining Hawai’i. Couple this with the extremely high prices on travel and it makes for an unpleasant prospect. We are choosing to travel within the continental US and next year, to Japan. I hope Hawai’i is more hospitable to tourists in the future.
Jenn
Agree with you on rates, as even with the lower tourism, the rates do not adjust and just get higher. I am so losing my Aloha that was inborn from age 14… (Governor) Green’s comments are hurting all once again… Some West Maui hotels have canceled holiday reservations to continue to be able to house fire victims… People are increasingly afraid of booking Maui, worried that the government will take their rental away from them… I don’t want to go to a resort on Kaanapali and see sign-waving, and marches. It just costs too much to spend a so-called Aloha trip and be unsure. And finally, negative social media posts.
Sandi
Had a big family trip planned prior to Covid, once Hawai’i made it clear we weren’t welcome, we’ve been vacationing happily elsewhere. We fly from the NW down to Florida now instead and have had several great trips.
Casey
After visiting 2-3 times a year for 15+ years, it’s been made very clear we’re not welcome. Last visit to Kaua’i 2019 and BI 2021. Been to the Caribbean 3 times in the past year. Found our new place.
RMoeller
I have been traveling to HI annually since 1998. Covid & the fire made me understand how dramatically under-prepared the state of Hawai’i is for any type of emergency. Honestly, I don’t feel safe going there… I have stayed away for 2 years… I can’t be the only long-term Hawai’i traveler that feels that way.
Melissa
We canceled our March vacation in Maui and are going to Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ. We can watch baseball… and soak up some sun at a reasonably priced resort. They also have some beautiful hiking trails. Hawai’i doesn’t seem to realize that there are a lot of other options out there.
Curtis
I canceled nights on Maui for more time on O’ahu and, given the continuing drama on Maui, am glad I did. One week on Kaua’i and then another on the BI before heading home, all at short-term rentals, as hotel pricing is absurd. If prices don’t decline significantly in the future, this will likely be my last visit to Hawai’i. It’s a big world.
Randy
Opting for Tahiti instead. (Hawai’i) Hotel prices are more than double what they were not that long ago. We love the islands, but not enough to spend $12,000 for a week. The anti-tourist sentiment combined with the hotelier’s strategy of less reservations at higher prices are essentially the last nails in the coffin for us. The Caribbean, Mexico, and French Polynesia are better options.
DJ
Just got back from a beautiful cruise to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Curacao, and Aruba. Not going to spend my money on Maui ever again. Tourists know when they are not welcome. We went there for many years, and now we will be giving our money to other countries and places that appreciate us.
Deborah
UPDATE 12.20.23: Maui Senator Claims ALL PEOPLE in Hawai’i Must Pay
Maui Senator Angus McKelvery claims Lahaina recovery requires “The Whole State Chips In.” McKelvey discussed proposals he’ll bring to the Legislature next session after HECO’s wildfire devastated his district.
The PEOPLE did not cause this disaster. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura failed her duty to protect us. State and country officials failed their duty. They should pay, not the people!!! HECO electricity rates already increasing to pay for damages; state taxes increasing. Now, officials want the people to pay even more for their failure. Kimura has not lost her job. Green, Bissen still keep their jobs. None have lost their homes. The Rich push all the pain on the people.
Governor Green, HECO CEO Kimura, Oprah and other privileged folks still have not opened their home or extra bedrooms to Maui victims. They want you to help. They do not!
UPDATE 12.18.23: Da Kine @ResidentAlienHI Provides 5 Month Update
“Downright inhumane” — Maui victims plea for aid after fires charred homes, lives, history. Burns and others who long have feared being displaced from the island they’ve lived on for generations are angry about the lack of help available. They blame city and state officials for not doing enough to free up housing. Many are facing emotional distress. There have been 10 reported suicides on the island since the wildfires, according to local police. [more from USA Today]
❌ NO financial assistance for small businesses
❌ NO financial assistance for rent or mortgages
❌ NO financial assistance for bills due
❌ Unemployment ends for most in a few weeks
❌ Residents are still laid off from work
❌ Close to 7000 residents still in hotels
❌ Vehicles have been repossessed for some not able to afford their payments
Don’t believe anything @GovJoshGreenMD says. Everything he has stated has been one lie after another.
UPDATE 12.16.23: Governor Green Threatens to NUKE Maui
CRINGE ALERT … Disastrous optics!!! Talk about tone deaf leadership. After incompetent HECO execs and government officials torched historic Lahaina town and incinerated at least 100 human beings, Governor Josh Green threatened that he will strike Maui what he called “the nuclear hammer” sometime in mid-January “if necessary. … I’ll take whatever action’s necessary” to get 3,000 families out of hotels and into long-term housing.
As of 12.14.23, approximately 6,297 people are still living in local hotels. As Maui’s tourism industry works to recover, hotels want to open their rooms to outsiders. Why not put visitors in short-term rentals and reserve hotels for local victims of the tragic disaster? Why do outsiders get better treatment than local families?
Gov. Green demands owners of 3,000 short-term rental units on Maui convert to long-term housing for victims — or face a ban on short-term rentals. Maui owners who convert their short-term rentals into long-term leases for fire evacuees would see no property taxes, and rental incomes above market rates.
The governor’s current emergency proclamation following the Aug. 8 wildfires expires Jan. 4th. CivilBeat reported that Green said he has spoken to some owners, “We have had multiple individuals share with us insinuating comments that they shouldn’t be forced to change their model, that that’s their right to rent to whomever they choose,” he said, adding that it angered him to hear that some people did not want to rent to local people.
Green also provided additional information on the One Ohana Initiative, a state-coordinated settlement fund for victims of the fires. The program attempts to bribe families who lost a loved one to settle for up to $1.5 million per loss from the state and participants, including Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian Electric Company. Families would be required to drop any lawsuits against the state, county, HECO, KS and other named defendants in multiple lawsuits that grow in number every week.
DO NOT SETTLE AT THIS TIME!!!
Dexter Yuen reminds us that some 400,000 TONS of Lahaina toxic materials, construction dust and human remains are to be deposited in a mass grave. Thanks Governor Green, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, Mayor Bissen et al. Your incompetence will never be forgotten.
UPDATE 12.14.23: New Technology Used to Design Recovery Plan as Phase 2 Begins
New technology is being used to collect data as wildfire recovery enters a new phase in West Maui. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and the County of Maui are using the 3D technology to better visualize the extent of damage in Lahaina as they design a recovery plan.
State officials say visualizing and understanding the entire scope of the damaged area allows recovery partners to find better solutions for the people of Lahaina. The data is being shared to a wide audience of experts and companies not only here in Hawai‘i but around the world.
“The devastation on Maui has reminded us that our lives can be turned upside-down in an instant. We appreciate the positive efforts of our government agencies, nonprofits and those in the business sector who are serving in any way they can to help our Maui ʻohana recover.”
Hawai’i Governor Josh Green
Governor Green is correct that FAILURE by HECO executives and incompetent government officials turned the Maui ‘Ohana upside down in an instant. That’s why planners “prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, Governor Green and Maui Mayor Bissen failed. None have resigned or apologized.
Families Displaced By Maui Fires Tired Of Shuffling Between Hotels
CivilBeat reports that the American Red Cross is continuing to negotiate with hotel and condo properties to extend sheltering program contracts. Enough.Is.Enough. Leave our ‘Ohana alone! Stop being greedy!
UPDATE 12.12.23: Lahaina Ash Testing Shows Elevated Levels of Toxic Substances
Hawaiʻi Department of Health released data showing elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt and copper in wildfire ash collected in Lahaina, and the burn zone area along Front Street reopened Monday, Dec. 11, to Lahaina residents and owners with entry passes.
Wildfire ash and dust are toxic and should be avoided. Lahaina data validates that the primary contaminant of concern is arsenic, a heavy metal that adheres to wildfire dust and ash. This finding reinforces the need to diligently follow recommendations to reduce potential exposure. [more]
“These data validate that the Lahaina ash contains toxic substances. While the concentrations of these substances are lower than the Kula ash results, they are still elevated and it continues to be extremely important to take precautions. The risk remains greatest from ash ingestion. Inhaling disturbed ash and dust is also a potential route of exposure. We’ve been closely monitoring air quality in Lahaina and air sampling in Kula during debris removal which have been reassuring.”
State Health Director Dr. Kenneth S. Fink
FEMA Kahului Disaster Recovery Center will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, but disaster-related assistance for survivors of the August wildfires will remain available at multiple locations on Maui. [more]
Entire State Still Negatively Impacted Due to HECO and Government Incompetence
Drop in visitor arrivals on Maui caused Hawai’i to suffer an overall 6.2% decline in revenue from August through October, compared to same period in 2022, and decrease in state general excise tax collections of 1.7%.
UPDATE 12.11.23: Maui Looking at up to $100K for Ohana Unit Construction
On Friday, Maui County Council will consider legislation setting criteria for the Ohana Assistance Pilot Program, which provides grants of up to $100,000 for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or second farm dwelling for long-term occupancy.
Under the proposal, property owners who receive grants would be required to rent their ohana unit at an affordable rate (meeting federal guidelines or less) for at least 10 years. If less than a decade, owners would be required to pay the county a prorated repayment based on the number of years they remained in the program.
Secondary apartments, also known as mother-in-law apartments or granny flats, have been criticized in some areas for causing parking problems and overcrowding, changing the appearance of the districts and undermining the single-family character of the districts.
Lahaina School Replacement 2-3 Months Away
A new temporary school being built to replace King Kamehameha III Elementary School campus destroyed by Hawaiian Electric ignited Lahaina fire will not be ready for students and teachers until late February or March at the earliest, according to an Army Corps of Engineers schedule.
About 640 students were enrolled at the original King Kamehameha III Elementary School at 611 Front St., which was damaged beyond repair by the Aug. 8 wildfire. The temporary school will house 600 students in portable “modular buildings” and include 30 “classrooms”; an administration building; a learning resources building with a library, offices and workspaces; a dining room; a basketball court; and a fenced play area, Nanea Kalani, DOE communications director said.
The school year will not be extended beyond May 30 for students affected by the wildfires –- many missed about two months of school and some students still have not returned to class. The department and teachers union are not willing to put students first.
UPDATE 12.10.23: Maui Wildfire Litigation Expected to Surge
Although Governor Green, HECO and Kamehameha Schools have dangled some cash before Lahaina victims, StarAd reported that the number of fire loss lawsuits filed in state court have topped 70, and is expected to soar into the hundreds — and perhaps beyond 1,000 — to easily become the biggest incidence ever of mass tort litigation in Hawai’i.
Hawaiian Electric continues to claim that the electric utility management was not responsible for the wildfires on Maui and that power lines had been shut hours prior to the deadly blaze that devastated the island. HECO didn’t post fire spotters after the National Weather Service warned winds could bring down power lines on August 6th; didn’t remain at the initial fire location to watch for ignition of the smoldering embers on August 8th. We can never trust HECO management again!
Nearly 10,000+ residents lost everything, at least 100+ lost their lives, due to the cruel incompetence of HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, state and county government and Kamehameha schools. Locals love to blame outsiders for their shortcomings. This disaster was 100% a Local Failure. Only Herman Andaya has resigned. The remaining culprits have no honor!
UPDATE 12.9.23: Maui Mayor Bissen Received Specialized Security; Should Resign
Taxpayers not only cover the incompetent official’s salary, we learn now that they paid to protect him! Public Safety Department said it’s covering the cost upfront, meaning state taxpayers are paying, but the department will “request reimbursement through the federal government funding related to the Maui wildfire response.” Federal taxpayers will pay! That’s money meant to help fire victims. Why should anyone pay for Bissen’s failure? Both Bissen and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura should do the honorable act to resign. The people demand accountability.
“I’m initially heartbroken. And then I’m instantly enraged. Every dollar counts, $100,000 could easily easily be somebody’s rent for possibly the next year.”
Camron Hurt of Common Cause Hawai’i
The RICH eat first in Hawai’i. Crumbs for ordinary people!
UPDATE 12.6.23: Maui Mayor Calls for Shared Sacrifice
Incompetent HECO executives failed residents on Maui; corrupt and incompetent government officials failed residents on Maui. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura refuses to step down or open her home to victims. No sacrifice. Government officials aren’t willing to help either. No sacrifice demanded of the privileged. They are not offering.
Maui County Council on Tuesday approved Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to offer a substantial tax break to homeowners who convert their short-term rentals into long-term housing for those displaced by the Aug. 8 wildfires. Terrible leadership in Hawai’i. The privileged take advantage.
UPDATE 12.1.23: UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS 1000% Higher on Maui Than Normal
Howard Dicus provides latest trends in unemployment claims from Maui, 5,039 week ending 11.25.23. “Mainly due to residents NOT wanting to go back to work for the hotels. Most people I know who used to work at the hotels left for another career field. Bank Tellers, Construction, Law Enforcement, Government Jobs, etc.” [Da Kine]
UPDATE 11.29.23: Victims Ordered to Vacate Hotels. Green Proposes New Housing Plan
Keeping Lahaina fire victims in hotels is too costly — some $700 million for another 18 months. Governor Green proposes using short-term vacation rentals, hoping to induce owners of 2,000 to 3,000 units to rent long term by offering premium rents. Those would start at $5,000 a month for a studio or one-bedroom home. Property owners also would not have to pay the state’s 10.25% transient accommodation tax for two years.
“We’re at pretty serious risk for significant loss of population on Maui. And yeah, really, that’s what keeps me awake at night.”
Carl Bonham, executive director, UHERO
In addition, FEMA funds up to $50,000 per unit would be used to build 1,000 accessory dwelling units, often called ohana units, on private residential properties. Property owners would be able to choose from five models pre-approved by Maui County to house displaced Lahaina residents, and any needed zoning changes would be approved within 30 days.
UPDATE 11.28.23: Maui Fire Update from Da Kine, @ResidentAlienHI
With over 6000 residents looking for housing, there seems to be a surge in people trying to move out here from the mainland. They’re currently not residing in a residential unit but have shipped vehicles to sleep in while waiting for a unit.
At the same time, many residents on the Westside are moving off the island, including myself, to assist fire survivors in taking our places due to necessity and Pono (to do the right thing)
With this push, we are asking fire survivors to place an ad on Craigslist in the “WANTED SECTION.” Please make sure you also place “FIRE SURVIVOR” in the subject line so our landlords can contact you directly.
Landlords, the great ones, do not want to post their units in fear of people who are selfish and to help them avoid people flooding their emails and try and attempt to take away a home from a fire survivor.
Visitors and time share owners are being forced to come out on vacation by the major hotels. Hotels are not working with credits for the time share owners for their time slots and are even saying that they would lose out on their investments for not showing up. At the same time, they are still being harassed by hotel employees for upgrades to their current membership plans.
Most of the timeshare owners want to be respectful and not come visit while so many are looking for housing. The Hotels do not care as they wish to start profiting and move on from this disaster. These are also the same Hotels about to kick out fire survivors to house the certain people who don’t wish to come out and allow the fire survivors their unit for the week they should be here.
UPDATE 11.26.23: Electrifying Deal: Looking for a unique holiday gift?
Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura has the perfect island option with their Lahaina Special — just $49.99 limited offer. Regularly $450. Spark excitement while your toddler, keiki or bestest explores the wonders of firelighting. Suitable for high-wind hurricane conditions. All proceeds go to #LahaianaStrong
UPDATE 11.25.23: HELP! HELP! Maui fire relief housing program calls for help
Gov. Josh Green and the Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corp. are renewing calls for homeowners to offer their unoccupied rooms, units or houses to help Maui wildfire survivors.
Governor Green has NOT offered rooms in his home; Maui Mayor Bissen has NOT offered rooms in his home. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura has NOT offered rooms in her home. Oprah & Rock have NOT offered rooms in their mansions!
“We are grateful for the empathy and generosity that many Hawaii homeowners displayed by providing safe and secure havens for those most affected by the tragedy in Lahaina. But we still need many other property owners to step up to the plate to offer longer-term housing opportunities for those who need it.”
Governor Josh Green
At least 100 people died due to the Aug. 8 wildfires, and thousands lost their homes. More than 2,700 structures in Lahaina were destroyed by the fires, many of which were homes, including single-family homes and multistory apartment buildings.
Green said that until Lahaina can be rebuilt, the state’s goal is providing a more stable long-term housing solution to every family. It will be around 7-10 years before Lahaina will be rebuilt.
According to the state, 575 families had been placed as of Tuesday : 410 on Maui, 107 on Oahu, 44 on Hawaii Island, eight on Kauai and six out of state. [source]
UPDATE 11:23:23: Incompetent Locals Destroyed Lahaina. Corrupt Government Cannot Care for Them
Allison Schaefers reported that this week, many in West Maui hotel shelters were reeling after learning that as of Nov. 30 some hotels were ending Red Cross contracts or reducing rooms in the program. Should be plenty available rooms: Despite a decrease in the number of Maui County’s vacation rentals, occupancy was at only 50.8% in October, according to data from the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Governor wants to build a $400 million sports stadium on O’ahu. Can’t find money to shelter families on Maui. Still no resignations! People are not thankful for leadership in Hawai’i.
UPDATE 11.22.23: Never Forget — Locals Destroyed Lahaina and Incinerated 100+
Ana Vee in her hit song, Hawai’i, sings, “blessed to be born and raised, local grown.” Kanaka Maoli can’t blame Europeans or White “haole” folks this time. HECO and government fully staffed by incompetent local grown folks destroyed Lahaina, 2,000s of homes and incinerated 100+ of human beings.
“Not a single person in Lahaina caused this disaster; it was the wrongdoers, and there needs to be accountability. I would like to see the governor talk more about that.”
Jesse Creed, Los Angeles-based lawyer licensed in Hawai’i
Now runoff of toxic ash will likely harm the aquatic environment, including fish, honu, monk seals and other creatures that inhabit the sea. We can never trust locals again!
Hawaiian Electric has reported over $10 million thus far in legal expenses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 the Company’s incremental expenses related to the Maui windstorm and wildfires, which excludes the $75 million contribution and insurance receivable as discussed in Subsequent event — One ‘Ohana Initiative in Note 2 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, were as follows (p65):
Hawaiian Electric expects to continue to incur significant expenditures in connection with the Maui windstorm and wildfires; however, the Company is looking to mitigate the financial impact through seeking insurance recoveries as well as the Utilities requesting for deferral treatment for incremental non-labor expense. [source]
UPDATE 11.20.23: At Least Two Years Until Home Rebuilding Can Begin. Patience!
Seven weeks after Lahaina fire, Randy Dadez sits on a couch scrolling social media in his FEMA-funded room at a Fairmont hotel in Wailea, a resort area about 45 minutes south of Lahaina. Reconstruction is now marred by the intricacies of a federally funded disaster cleanup. Local authorities have advised patience, predicting that it could be two years or more before property owners can begin to rebuild their homes in Lahaina. [source]
UPDATE 11.15.23: Hawaiian Electric Company Starts Massive Fire in Waianae
HECO CEO Shelee Kimura is accepting awards, but hasn’t learned from the Lahaina disaster. Dangerous wildfire broke out Tuesday, Nov. 14th, on dry, leeward side of O’ahu, which started after one of HECO’s hired spotters saw a power line fall in that area amid heavy winds. [source]
New HECO-ignited wildfire required HFD to commit 18 units, including fire engines and a helicopter, to battle the blaze. Scattered rain showers assisted efforts by fire fighters, although several large chicken coops were destroyed and at least one home was damaged.
Hawaiian Electric’s new wildfire plan still does not include a power line shutoff program, and company officials say they’ve only just begun the necessary talks to launch that effort. Why hasn’t CEO Shelee Kimura resigned? She’s not capable of keeping Hawai’i residents safe. Her body count is up to 100, as of 11.15.23 (below).
UPDATE 11:15:23: 100th Lahaina Fire Victim Identified by Maui Police
Sharlene Rabang, 78, of Lahaina, was publicly identified after her family was notified. Her death increases and revises the number of confirmed fatalities to 100, up from 99. View the list human beings, and many keiki, incinerated by the incompetence of Hawaiian Electric and government officials.
UPDATE 11.12.23: State of Hawai’i STEALS from Peter to Pay Paul
Money allocated toward Hawai’i projects statewide will be used for Maui fire response instead. Rather than tax the rich in Hawai’i, Governor Green proposes to STEAL some $172.6 million previously appropriated for numerous public purposes for Maui wildfire responses, such as Hawai’i Convention Center roof repairs, state parks renovations and agricultural warehouses.
Josh Green leaves our island in need of repair and creates more debt for the public in future years. Governor will do anything not to tax his rich friends. Continues to force ordinary families to suffer this plutocratic system. [source]
UPDATE 11.11.23: Grassroots Orgs Launch Fish-In for Dignified Housing
On Kā‘anapali Beach near Whalers Village, 28 grassroots community organizations under the “Lahaina Strong Hui” launched “Fish-In For Dignified Housing.” The West Maui organizations set up pop-up tents and fishing poles on the sandy beach, with plans to stay “for as long as it takes” until demands for long-term housing solutions for people displaced by the Lahaina fire are met. [source]
There is a law in Hawaiʻi that loosely states: If you are fishing at the beach (a pole in the sand, with fishing line cast into the ocean), you are legally allowed to stay at any public beach overnight any day of the week.
The coalition said it is urgent that these steps be taken due to the impending sheltering crisis, with many of the West Maui hotel contracts with the Red Cross to house fire survivors set to expire on Nov. 30, potentially leaving thousands of families currently housed in the hotels with no place to live.
“The haste to reboot tourism brings with it the specter of displacement and further indifference to those already suffering. Countless of our kin linger in temporary shelters, with the looming threat of being uprooted yet again. That is why today, we plant our feet firmly, vowing to remain steadfast until our voices are heard, our needs met.”
Paele Kiakona
The coalition is urging Maui Mayor Bissen and Governor Josh Green to harness their political power to transform short-term rentals into stable homes for those displaced, and to enact policies that protect the displaced fire survivors from the variabilities of the housing market.
Using emergency powers, the coalition said Bissen and Green can convert the thousands of Transient Vacation Rentals and Short Term Rentals on the West Side into Long Term Rentals, and continue and enhance the controls on rent to ensure affordability to residents and relief agencies.
UPDATE 11.10.23: Hawaiian Electric TURNED ON Power That Ignited Deadly Fire
On the morning of Aug. 8, the power was out in West Maui above Lahaina. Lines could have stayed de-energized, but the company rebooted a tripped transmission line. Power came back on around 6 a.m. and a fire sparked within an hour — potentially the origin of the deadly fire that leveled much of Lahaina.
In a crisis, officials should establish Command, Control and Communication. Hawaiian Electric, state and county government were totally incompetent. Some 10,000+ residents, 1,000s of homeowners and business operators, the island of Maui and our state lost everything and still suffer. Will take many years to recover. What do these victims do?
Read more about Hawaiian Electric’s actions that day from newly released testimony to a congressional oversight committee.
UPDATE 11.9.23: Gov Green Offers $1 Million for Dead Victims. Please Do Not Sue!
CivilBeat reported that Gov Josh Green admits guilt for the Lahaina disaster now by offering families of those who died or were seriously injured in the Maui fires more than $1 million if they promise not to pursue wrongful death claims in court. Green unveiled a coalition between the state, Hawaiian Electric Company, Kamehameha Schools and Maui County to compensate victims.
By comparison, HECO CEO Shelee Kimura makes around $1.5 MILLION per year. The coalition isn’t even offering a year’s pay for victims. HECO suggested they would contribute $75 million through their annual allotment of $150 million in liability insurance proceeds. HECO can pay victims much more.
NEVER FORGET: Remember 40 acres and a mule. Carpetbaggers swept in to BUY up land, homes — and rights after the civil war. Be careful taking money! Tempting, but victims who accept the financial offer agree not to sue parties paying into the fund. Green claims the offer is about trying to do the right thing, not avoid liability — do you believe that? If parties did the right thing, Gov Green, CEO Kimura and other officials would resign. $1 Million for a life? Seriously!
Remember federal and state government will take about 50% of any award, so victims would receive about $500,000 for a loved one who was tragically and cruelly incinerated due to incompetence by Hawaiian Electric, state and county government, and Kamehameha Schools. We recommend holding out for at least $10 MILLION per victim due to our inflationary times and high costs in Hawai’i.
No amount of money could replace the loved ones lost by our government elected officials ignoring their sworn duty to their residents. This man-made fire could’ve been prevented, and now you try to bribe people away from their rights to a lawsuit?
@GovJoshGreenMD You really are disgraceful, tacky, disrespectful, inept, incompetent, and ignorant, at least. Those who participate in the fund will receive payments of more than $1 million as early as next spring. However, the catch to participating in the recovery fund is that the individual would have to sign a release saying they won’t sue those participating in the fund for wrongful deaths or their injuries.
UPDATE 11.6.23: Gov Green designates November 1st as Power Plant Worker Appreciation Day
What a fraud !!! After HECO executives and Green incinerated some 100 human beings, including keiki, and destroyed historic Lahaina town, they ask us to honor power plant workers. We always did !!! Thank you, honorable hard workers! CEO Kimura seeks to include herself in pictures with those we honor. We DO NOT honor Shelee Kimura or Josh Green. You killed our ‘Ohana members! We will never forget !!!
UPDATE 11.4.23: Day-Late & Dollar-Short Hawaiian Electric Explores Power Shuts Offs
After California suffered deadly Camp fire in 2018, electricity providers were advised to shut off, de-energize, power lines during high wind events. Hawaiian Electric did not heed the warning. At least 99 people were incinerated, including many keiki. Now, HECO executives finally wake up!
Incompetence of Connie Lau, Alan Oshima, Scott Seu and Shelee Kimura constitutes criminal negligence. They belong in prison, rather than their extravagant Hawaiian plantation homes.
HECO is also considering sending “spotters” to high-risk areas and expanding inspections of poles and lines, among steps Hawaiian Electric plans to take to prevent its transmission systems from igniting wildfires in dry, windy weather in places most vulnerable to fires. Too little; too late. Hawai’i is governed by middle school students.
UPDATE 11.3.23: In Corrupt Hawai’i, Public Utilities Commission REFUSES to Investigate HECO
PUC has been conspicuously passive since August fires that killed at least 99 people, destroyed much of Lahaina, including its power distribution system, and spawned dozens of lawsuits blaming Hawaiian Electric for starting the fires.
PUC’s stated mission is to “serve the public, by ensuring essential utility services are delivered to consumers in a safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally sound manner.” SAFE?
What is clear is that the PUC and Hawaiian Electric both failed to heed the cautionary lessons of California’s Tubbs and Camp fires.
CivilBeat reports that Hawai’i regulators have shown no sign they will take a hard look at the utility they’re supposed to regulate. Due to inbreeding in corporate and government ranks, corrupt officials protect each other. The three-person commission consists of Colin Yost, a lawyer and former solar company executive; Naomi Kuwaye, a lawyer and former Honolulu City Council aide, and Leodoloff Asuncion, a career government planner in charge of leading the commission as its chair.
“I think it’s highly unusual that the PUC will not investigate this,” said Henry Curtis, executive director of the organization Life of the Land, who frequently intervenes in utility proceedings before the PUC. “It just seems totally out of character for the entire history of the commission.”
UPDATE 10.31.23: Maui Police Release Body Camera Footage from Lahaina Fires
CivilBeat reported that Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said roads may have been blocked by unsafe road conditions, including downed power lines and the fire itself, but said his officers did everything they could to shepherd people to safety. Only 13 officers were working in the West Maui district at the height of the fire, police said.
UPDATE 10.25.23: Download Hidden After Action Report and Improvement Plan for 2018-08-18 Tropical Cyclone Lane
Maui officials (Herman Andaya, Administrator and Andrea Finkelstein, Plans & Operations Officer) blocked release of the official report reviewing local government response after the horrific August 2018 fire around Lahaina — nearly identical to the August 8, 2023 catastrophe that incinerated at least 99+ human beings, including many keiki, torched 1,000s of homes, schools and small businesses, and destroyed historic Lahaina town:
“Information gathered in this report is designated as For Official Use Only (FOUO) and should be handled as sensitive information that is not to be disclosed. This document should be safeguarded, handled, transmitted, and stored in accordance with appropriate security directives. Reproduction of this document, in whole or in part, without prior approval from the Maui Civil Defense Agency is prohibited.”
“At a minimum, the attached materials will be disseminated strictly on a need-to-know basis and, when unattended, will be stored in a locked container or area that offers sufficient protection against theft, compromise, inadvertent access, and unauthorized disclosure.”
Why did Maui officials hide this August 2018 report from the public? Herman Andaya has now resigned in disgrace for his failure to plan and sound the warning siren on August 8, 2023. Blocking release of the report to the public constitutes criminal negligence!
Background and Updates
Due to the devastating and unbelievable tragic disaster that occurred on Maui, Hawai’i, Tuesday, August 8, 2023, and specific to the historic town of Lāhainā, the world is micro-focused on our tiny islands and rich cultural history. Officials refuse to release the number of keiki (children) killed. Seems to be over 1000+ [UPDATED to 4+] adults and keiki still missing at this time. Likely perished. Known number killed is now estimated to be at least *** 100 ***, as of 11.15.23.
“There is a disconnect on O’ahu about the actual feeling of the community here. I’m not sensing hostility, I’m seeing frustration and sadness.”
Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, representing Windward O’ahu
“I’m very disappointed with DOBOR (state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation). It’s like they don’t realize people are suffering. They lack empathy … I’m going to work on forcing them to come. I’m not happy.”
Sen. Lorraine Inouye, representing Hilo
“What we are seeing is a bit disturbing, A ton of private and public adjustors are preying on the survivors.”
Annie Barbour, United Policyholders, consumer advocate
Quick poll suggests strongly unified public opposition to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen. Bissen along with HECO CEO Shelee Kimura should do the honorable and responsible act of resigning.
While Hawaiian Electric executives did nothing, Justin Recolizado was incinerated along with his parents, Eugene and Maria Victoria. KITV4 reminds us to never forget.
CivilBeat reminds readers that Lahaina’s Filipino community was hit hard. Those who perished served as store employees, janitorial workers and dishwashers. Hawaiian Electric executives collected millions in compensation and failed to have a plan. Never forget!
Franklin Trejos, 68, of Lahaina, was publicly identified on October 2, 2023, more than a month after he was reported dead by his friend Geoff Bogar, a retired fire captain. [StarAdvertiser]
Economic impact of Maui fires estimated $13 million a day since Aug. 9, when the fires occurred, according to a report from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
UPDATE 10.30.23: Maui visitor arrivals and expenditures down by more than 50% for the month compared to 2022
Visitor arrivals on Maui in September 2023 (94,221) recorded lowest since February 2021 and visitor spending of $203.2 million on Maui in September 2023 was the lowest since March 2021. As measured in nominal dollars, total visitor spending was $1.37 billion in September 2023, down from September 2022 ($1.52 billion, -9.6%), but higher than September 2019 ($1.25 billion, +10.2%). [source]
Still missing Japanese visitors: There were 51,350 visitors from Japan in September 2023, which was an increase compared to September 2022 (27,332 visitors, +87.9%) but considerably lower than September 2019 (143,928 visitors, -64.3%). Visitors from Japan spent $79.6 million in September 2023, compared to $47.8 million (+66.5%) in September 2022 and $196.5 million (-59.5%) in September 2019.
UPDATE 10:24:23: Bissen Announces next phase of West Maui re-opening November 1
Mayor Richard Bissen announced Monday that the phased re-opening of West Maui to visitors will continue November 1 with the re-opening of the remaining area from Kahana to Kaʻanapali. Local families are not impressed.
Not only has no one I know been assisted financially, including fire victims. The mayor now is deciding that’s it’s a perfect time to place tourists in front of the residents yet again. The mayor has ended the phased plan and now seeks to go full speed ahead on reopening by Nov 1st. Next week, Wednesday.
Da Kine, @ResidentAlienHI
“The Red Cross has assured me that housing for displaced Lāhainā residents, including those staying in hotels, is not in jeopardy,” Mayor Bissen said. “In addition, the County has a commitment from other partners to work on developing child care programs for displaced families. Sheltering close to 7,000 survivors remains a critical focus of our efforts and their needs are our priority. I appreciate the help our hotels have provided these past several weeks, and we’ll continue to work together with the hotel properties and American Red Cross.”
UPDATE 10.23.23: COVER UP That Incinerated Lahaina and Killed 99+
Due to public outcry, Maui County Will Release Its After-Action Report From The 2018 Lahaina Fire ‘Soon’: State emergency officials said they never received the report, which could have offered guidance on how to prevent the Aug. 8 blaze.
In September 2018, one month after the Kauaula Valley blaze, Joe Pluta of West Maui Improvement Foundation met with incoming Mayor Mike Victorino and his emergency management manager, Herman Andaya. Pluta asked for a copy of the after action report. Claims “Mr. Andaya was so concerned. He says you can look at it here in the office, but you can’t say anything about it to anybody. It’s all confidential.” [Andaya failed to sound emergency sirens on August 8th; resigned in disgrace]
“The impression that I got is that the liability to the county is way too high because of what is revealed in that report. And we don’t want anybody to know anything about it.”
Joe Pluta, West Maui Improvement Foundation
Pluta went on to say the county “failed to recognize the imminent dangers that were revealed.” What else did Pluta learn: “That we had a very serious problem.”
Where Is The Report? HNN Investigates has spent weeks submitting public records requests to a multitude of Maui County agencies in an effort to obtain a copy of the 2018 Lahaina wildfire after action report. [source]
UPDATE 10.22.23: Total Management Failure in Hawai’i Killed People
Officials learned little from a 2018 fire, similar circumstances, but without deadly consequences, reports Christina Jedra. Blaze burned through dry grasses, spread by forceful winds from Hurricane Lane. Firefighters were fighting multiple fires simultaneously. Residents received no warnings and were left to fend for themselves. Fire hydrants ran dry.
“If a fire started, a lot of residents would be trapped.”
Tamara Paltin, now Maui County Council member, said at the time
Later, community members questioned why live power lines had not been turned off, why emergency alert sirens had not been activated and why there was no clear evacuation route. HECO did nothing. Government failed the people.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail. That is essentially what happened here.”
Adam Ingram, emergency manager who worked in Ohio and Pennsylvania and watched Maui disaster from afar.
UPDATE 10.19.23: Latest Summary Statistics
Housing remains top priority.
Unemployment on Maui now 8.4%.
Over 3,000 families remain displaced and over 8,000 individuals remain unemployed.
Almost 3,300 people have received rental assistance that can be renewed for up to 18 months.
Roughly $1 billion has already been spent on the response to the Maui fires.
Number of displaced individuals living in hotels has dropped from approximately 8,000 to 6,800 people.
State Department of Human Services has $100 million available for families impacted by the fires.
For small businesses, $12.5 million in aid will soon be available through MEO. [source]
Some 350 customers in Lahaina remain without electricity.
HECO crews have replaced about 180 of 1,000 or so poles destroyed across West Maui [source]
UPDATE 10.18.23: “What is the matter with this HECO organization?” asks HART director
Local residents have been asking the same question about Hawaiian Electric, which has a virtual monopoly in the Aloha state. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. HART director, Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. Representative serving Hawaii’s 1st congressional district and attorney, has had enough. [source]
Hanabusa complained publicly in the past that HECO seemed to be taking advantage of HART by demanding that the rail authority pay for expensive improvements to the electrical grid that benefit the utility. HECO is scrapping for dollars at this time preparing to be held liable for billions in the Lahaina disaster.
“What is the matter with this HECO organization? I mean, how can they continue to do this or think that they’re going to get away with this with us? What are we going to do, are we going to just roll over for them again?”
Colleen Hanabusa asked HART Project Director Nate Meddings
UPDATE 10.16.23: The Lahaina Diaspora Begins. Keiki Return to (unsafe) Schools
CivilBeat highlights the current struggles on local business and students in the Lahaina area.
UPDATE 10.15.23: Hawaiian Electric Ignored Fire Warnings, Grossly Underinsured
Hawaiian Electric is severely underinsured to pay victims of August’s deadly Maui wildfire, as well as repair its own damaged infrastructure, raising questions how the beleaguered utility could cover billions of dollars in mounting damage claims if found liable for starting the blaze. [source]
“This is not a highly reinforced system. It has not been hardened.”
Robert McCullough, McCullough Research, energy consulting firm in Portland, Oregon
Hawaiian Electric has known for years that extreme weather was becoming a bigger danger, but the company did little to strengthen its equipment and failed to adopt emergency plans used elsewhere, like being prepared to cut off power to prevent fires. [source]
“The problem with the electric utilities in the United States is they act like the protected monopolies in the face of catastrophic risk. But nature doesn’t care that they’re a protected monopoly. You need to act like a regular company facing a major risk.”
Michael Wara, scholar focused on climate and energy policy at Stanford University who thinks Hawaiian Electric could have done a lot more to prevent its equipment from becoming a potential cause of fires
In 2019, Hawaiian Electric itself started citing the risk of fires. Two years later, in a report about Hurricane Lane in 2018, the Maui County government warned of the potential that “aboveground power lines that fail, short or are low-hanging can cause fire ignition (sparks) that could start a wildfire, particularly in windy or stormy conditions.” [source]
The utility has only $165 million in annual general liability insurance, which is what it would use to repay residents for losses if it is determined their equipment started the deadly Lahaina fire — a small fraction of potential $5 billion in damage claims, which continue to grow as more residents and Hawaiian Electric shareholders join lawsuits against the company. [source]
As for its decision not to adopt a policy to preemptively shut off power in the face of red flag and high wind warnings, Hawaiian Electric said in its 2023 wildfire mitigation plan that, “Based on news reports, Pacific Gas & Electric’s practice to preemptively turn off circuits in certain areas if conditions were ripe for a wildfire was not well-received by certain customers affected.” Therefore, Hawaiian Electric felt that it did not need to adopt the practice. [source]
“It’s clear and saddening, reading this plan, that Hawaiian Electric did not take the risk of consequence of ignition more clearly.”
Michael Wara, senior research scholar at Woods Institute for the Environment and director Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University
Wara said Hawaiian Electric could have established a power shut-off program in consultation with local authorities and emergency services. Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, a Hawaii nonprofit group that represents consumers before the state Public Utilities Commission, said he “strongly supports” power shut-off programs. The utility, he said, has been dismissive of the idea.
Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric’s chief executive, said after the fire that the company had not shut off power in Lahaina because electricity was needed to keep water pumps and medical devices running. [source]
“In Lahaina, the electricity powers the pumps that provide the water — and so that was also a critical need during that time. There are choices that need to be made — and all of those factors play into it.”
Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric CEO & president
Kimura spoke falsely. Pumps have backup generators and during hurricane warnings residents are required to have personal generators or backup systems for medical systems.
Hawaiian Electric also made what experts said was a bizarre assessment, comparing its risk to that of California’s as the reason for not having more frequent and robust inspections, vegetation management, and for not creating a public safety power shut-off program. [source]
UPDATE 10.14.23: More Human Remains Found
Human remains from Lahaina wildfire discovered in courthouse: Number of people who have not been accounted for since the fire dropped to seven.
Maui Relief TANF Program
Gov Green announced Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS), and partner Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. (MEO), will accept applications beginning Friday, October 20, 2023, for the Maui Relief TANF Program.
For more information or to apply starting October 20, call the Maui Relief TANF Program at (808) 243-4316 or visit https://www.meoinc.org.
UPDATE 10.13.23: How Will Maui Strong Fund be Allocated?
Due to the generosity and aloha from locals to people around the world, Hawaii Community Foundation created the state’s largest Maui fire relief fund, Maui Strong, in just over two months — nearly $140 million.
(Source: Hawaii Community Foundation.)
CivilBeat reports that Dawn Pfendler, Hawai’i Animal Rescue Foundation CEO, received $100,000, which was more than she even requested. Her foundation provides care for the onslaught of pets that need a temporary home while their owners figure out their housing situations.
“I don’t know what we would have done without them.”
Dawn Pfendler, CEO of Hawai’i Animal Rescue Foundation
After the foundation followed up with her, they awarded her an additional $150,000 — without her needing to ask. “The costs in this are very unknown. As time rolls by, we’re seeing the need is increasing,” Pfendler said.
Grantees are required to keep detailed accounting of their expenditures, but were not sure yet when an official accounting would be due. Sounds like an impending financial disaster. Too few controls.
UPDATE 10.11.23: “I wasn’t in charge on August 8, 2023”
When it comes to getting paid or receiving perks of the job, officials are quick to raise their hands. When it comes to taking responsibility, they are nowhere to be found. Maui Mayor Bissen should have been in charge. He was incompetent. Who told people to “shelter in place”? Not, me, said the mayor. He blames visitors:
“I’m going to guess that the person you spoke to was a visitor. You spoke to a visitor if they were asked to shelter in place.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bisson
Contrary to the mayor’s statement, at the height of the self evacuation from Lahaina town, Maui County’s Facebook page posted at 4:56 p.m. the following:
“People on the westside are advised to shelter in place unless evacuations are ordered.”
Mayor Bissen appears now to lie:
“So yes, people were asked to stay in their hotels and not leave. The residents were evacuated. Those are the folks that we took out of there.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bisson
KITV4 News challenges the questionable statement: Were evacuations ordered in the 3, 4 and 5 p.m. hours? Maui County has never presented evidence to support the claim.
“I’m not sure who was in charge,” Bissen told the press at the last joint press conference held in late August. “I think Herman Andaya was still in charge, he just wasn’t present.”
No Command; No Control; No Communication … Hawaiian Electric and Maui government failed the people and Three Cs of Leadership. We will never forget; we will never trust these officials again. All should resign.
UPDATE 10.10.23: Maui Mayor Bissen approves use of Soiltac to “glue down” harmful ash and debris from fire. It’s expected to take a month to cover all surfaces that need to be sprayed and some areas will need more than one coat. Effects, if any, should the product wash into the ocean onto coral reefs have not been tested. EPA warns if the becomes airborne or is washed into the ocean or aquifers, it could expose humans, fish, seabirds and other organisms to cancer-causing agents and potentially cause chronic and acute health problems. [CivilBeat]
Concerns about suspicious fund raisers grow. Be careful making cash donations. Questions or complaints can be directed to the state’s Tax & Charities Division at (808) 586-1480 or email to ATG.Charities@hawaii.gov.
UPDATE 10.6.23: Deadline to Apply for FEMA, SBA Assistance Extended
Homeowners and renters with uninsured or underinsured damage to their property from the Maui fires now have until Thursday, November 9, 2023, to register for FEMA assistance and apply for a physical disaster loan from the Small Business Administration. Businesses with economic losses can also still apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan until May 10, 2024.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance:
(1) visit DisasterAssistance.gov;
(2) call 800-621-3362;
(3) visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Updated information about DRC locations available at fema.gov/DRC
UPDATE 10.4.23: Governor Green Has No Aloha for Grieving Families
#LahainaStrong members and supporters delivered 11,141 petitions — 3,517 of which were from the 96761 Lahaina ZIP code — to Governor Green’s fifth-floor offices. The people and families are not ready to open West Maui on October 8, 2023, to visitors, tourists and lookie-lous. They’re still grieving. The State of Hawai’i is a corporation and the “show must go on.” Maui is losing an estimated $13 million per day — and Profits are more important than People. [StarAdvertiser]
StarAdvertiser Headline Screen Shot (10.4.23)
Gov. Josh Green says he’s sympathetic to those who aren’t ready for the visitors to return but Maui and the state need the money they bring. Josh didn’t care about protecting families from wildfires; that cost money! Josh now demands West Maui open — to pay his salary! [CivilBeat]
Money! Money! Money! Royal Lahaina Luau is now taking reservations for December 1st onwards. Eat, drink and be merry while victims live in tents and cars. That’s corporate aloha, folks!
Why don’t they let those with “deep anxiety and uncertainty” remain in hotels?
Apparently having victims in hotels around tourists would make rich, privileged visitors feel guilty. Move the desperate people elsewhere and out of sight.
To help ease the deep anxiety and uncertainty felt by thousands of Lahaina fire survivors, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced new program October 3, 2023, aimed at encouraging Hawai’i residents to open their doors to house those currently staying in hotel rooms or Airbnbs. Those who do so can receive $375 a month per survivor that they house, or up to $1,500 if they take in multiple people. [CivilBeat]
Although Gov Green has no sympathy for local people, their resilience is being displayed on the historical and now famous banyan tree. Some green is breaking through.
UPDATE 10.2.23: The Lahaina DIASPORA Begins
Diaspora refers to people who have spread or been dispersed from their homeland. The Jewish diaspora or exile is the biblical dispersion of Israelites or Jews out of their ancient ancestral homeland and their subsequent settlement in other parts of the globe. In Arabic, the Nakba, or catastrophe, refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Before the Nakba, Palestine was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society.
In 1998, the UN Commission on Human Rights published the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, defining internally displaced people as: “persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or leave their homes or places of habitual residence in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights, or natural or human-made disasters and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border.”
StarAdvertiser Headline Screen Shot (10.2.23)
Allison Schaefer’s featured a first story of what will be many how Peyton Chesson and family returned Friday to the burned-out shell of the Kaniau Road home that he and his wife, Zoe Chesson, had rented for the past six years in a community that they loved. They had hoped one day to buy a forever home to raise their family. With limited housing, facing years of reconstruction, the failure by Hawaiian Electric and government ends their dream.
Corporate executives, HEI CEO Scott Sue and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, who ignited this catastrophe are still paid millions per year. Other than confused and incompetent Herman Andaya, the government employee who failed to sound the warning siren, none have resigned. Maui Mayor Bissen, who failed to call for the warning siren, continues his feckless role. Governor Josh Green wimped along at the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade to legions of boos last Saturday. All remain warm and comfy in their plantation mansions, while covered in the blood of local families, many children.
UPDATE 9.29.23: What is HECO CEO & president Shelee Kimura Hiding?
Peter Boylan, StarAdvertiser, reported that Shelee Kimura, HECO top executive, would not commit to Congress that the company would publicize findings of an internal investigation into the utility’s role in the Aug. 8. Lahaina fire that killed at least 97 people and left 7,500 homeless.
StarAdvertiser Headline Screen Shot (9.29.23)
UPDATE 9.28.23: HECO CEO Shelee Kimura BLAMES Maui Firefighters
Kimura admits Hawaiian Electric’s downed lines caused initial fire, but claims Maui fire department (MFD) said it extinguished that blaze and lines had been de-energized for over six hours when the fire flared up again. She called the 3 p.m. blaze the “Afternoon Fire,” implying it was separate from the morning blaze and fault of MFD.
Hawaiian Electric has acknowledged its downed lines caused the initial fire but has argued in court filings it couldn’t be responsible for the later flare-up because its lines had been turned off for hours by the time the fire reignited and spread through the town. The utility instead sought to shift the blame to Maui County fire officials for what it believes was their premature, false claim that they had extinguished the first fire. The county denies firefighters were negligent.
Michael Biesecker, Jennifer McDermott and Bernard Condon / Associated Press Sept. 27, 2023
Kimura also said the utility doesn’t have the right or responsibility to clear dry brush or other vegetation on private property — even if it is in the right-of-way, directly underneath power lines — unless the plants or trees are tall enough to potentially contact the lines.
One fact has become clear: Hawaiian Electric’s right-of-way was untrimmed and unkempt for years, despite being in an area classified as being at high risk for wildfires.
Michael Biesecker, Jennifer McDermott and Bernard Condon / Associated Press Sept. 27, 2023
It’s not clear when Hawaiian Electric last cleared the grass and shrubs from under its lines on the Kamehameha tract. But AP’s review of public regulatory filings shows the company has a history of falling behind on what the electricity industry calls “vegetation management.”
Hawaiian Electric reported to AP that the right-of-way allows it to “remove anything that interferes with our lines and could potentially cause an outage” but does not allow it to “go on to private property to perform landscaping or grass-mowing.”
The landowner, Kamehameha Schools, run by a $15 billion educational endowment and also named in litigation over the Maui fire, told AP it has “no control over and cannot interfere with” Hawaiian Electric’s equipment in the right-of-way but “never had any objection” to the utility doing work to keep the area safe from its poles and lines.
Aerial and satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press show the gully has long been choked with thick grass, shrubs, small trees and trash, which a severe summer drought turned into tinder-dry fuel for fires. Photos taken after the blaze show charred foliage in the utility’s right-of-way still more than 10 feet high.
“It was not manicured at all,” said Lahaina resident Gemsley Balagso, who has lived next to the gully for 20 years and never saw it mowed. He watched and took video Aug. 8 after the flames reignited there and were stoked by winds from a hurricane churning offshore.
Hawaiian Electric has faced scrutiny before for potentially sparking a wildfire in that same area.
In 2018, a brush fire broke out nearby during high winds from a passing hurricane, destroying 21 buildings. Though officials were unable to conclusively determine a cause, a copy of the investigative report obtained by the AP said Hawaiian Electric’s power lines couldn’t be ruled out.
A 2020 audit of Hawaiian Electric found the company failed to meet its goals for clearing vegetation from its rights-of-way for years, and the way it measured its progress needed to be fixed “urgently.” The 216-page audit by Munro Tulloch said the utility tracked money it spent on clearing and tree trimming but had “zero metrics” on things that really mattered, such as the volume of vegetation removed or miles of right-of-way cleared.
UPDATE 9.26.23: Hawaiian Electric Rates to Increase
Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) consistently charges customers highest rates in the nation, and local rates are up over 7% since 2022. Electricity prices in the islands are some THREE TIMES the national average (11.1 cents/kWh). HECO claims they are not at fault for the Lahaina devastation. If HECO is found to be negligent, Wall Street (the corporation, executive managers and investors) pay the costs to rebuild. If not, ratepayers in Hawai’i will shoulder the bill.
HECO’s most recent published residential rate on O’ahu is 43.43 cents/kWh; Maui, 43.26; Molokai, 53.35; Lanai, 54.93; Big Island, 47.95. If resident ratepayers are required to cover costs, add 15% surcharge over 10 years. O’ahu rates will approximate 49.95 cents/kWh.
Keep in mind HECO is the ONLY U.S. electric utility reliant on diesel oil. Oil prices are currently increasing. Market observers warn oil could hit $150, which would double local prices.
Electricity prices in Hawai’i are generally higher than on the U.S. mainland due to the cost of imported oil used to power many of the islands’ generators. The fluctuation in the cost of fuel, which makes up roughly 50% of a typical bill, is the biggest driver.
Hawaiian Electric Rates & Regulations (9.26.23)
HECO ended use of coal September 2022, leaving no diversity in their non-renewable energy portfolio. Coal prices have trended down. Having all our energy pineapples in one basket is not smart. HECO management however is not considered to be smart. Experts say they are bad.
UPDATE 9.25.23: HECO Management Failed. Ratepayers Will Pay
While Hawaiian Electric management received millions in compensation, ratepayers might get stuck with the bill for their incompetence. Hawai’i PUC reports that a surcharge up to approximately $500M per year for 10 years could be charged to all electric ratepayers.
“Any utility that sustains damage to its facilities as a result of a state of emergency or local state of emergency… and incurs costs related to the restoration and repair of its facilities which, if assessed only on the utility ratepayers of the affected utility service territory, may result in a rate increase of more than fifteen per cent for the average ratepayer in that utility service territory, may apply to the public utilities commission in accordance with this section to recover the costs provided herein through a monthly surcharge which shall be assessed on a statewide basis and shall be based on the utility’s net restoration and repair costs; provided that the surcharge shall not result in an assessment of more than fifteen per cent for the average ratepayer in each of the other utility service territories and provided further that the public utilities commission shall exclude ratepayers in utility service territories with rates that may be substantially higher than other utility service territories in the State.” (HRS §269-16.3(a))
However, rate hikes may not be applied if the damages were caused by the negligence of HECO management. And if HECO bosses were negligent, they may be liable for $5B in damages to non-HECO people and property in Lahaina.
UPDATE 9.24.23: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen LAUGHS at Distressed Lahaina Families
CivilBeat reported that the mayor said he anticipates a slow process to clear the land of hazards to make way for a reimagined Lahaina. He cautioned patience, judging that it could be a year and a half to two years before property owners can begin to rebuild their homes. Move to Vegas!
Don’t worry! Be happy! “Everyone is going to have housing,” Bissen assured the crowd from behind a podium at the Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium. Live in your car! Share a couch with a friend. The mayor hasn’t opened up his home; neither has Oprah nor other large land holders.
Six weeks after the deadliest American wildfire in a century incinerated historic Lahaina town, roughly 7,600 residents remain temporarily housed in more than 40 hotels, according to Dave Gutierrez, a disaster relief director for the American Red Cross.
There is a shortage of available housing. Robert Fenton, FEMA’s Region 9 administrator, said fire victims can remain in hotel rooms and condos for six months — through Feb. 10 — and that the agency is trying to move as many people as possible into homes and apartments well before that deadline. Bissen and Fenton offer one-way tickets to Vegas.
“And we can look not only on this island but we can look on other islands here in Hawaii if need be.”
Robert Fenton, FEMA’s Region 9 administrator
Lahaina resident Alfy Basurto, currently sharing a two-bedroom unit at Honua Kai Resort & Spa with his wife and five children, said that he just signed a lease for a four-bedroom home for $9,000 a month — a rate he said is double what he paid for his family’s rental home before the fire burned it down.
The average qualified applicant on Maui receives $3,500 a month in FEMA rental assistance, which can be extended for a maximum of 18 months.
UPDATE 9.23.23: LOCAL Officials and LOCAL System Destroyed Lahaina.
Ana Vee, in her hit single Hawai’i, sings “Best to be born and raised, local grown.” There is tremendous animosity toward outsiders in Hawai’i — in particular toward White folks and the federal government. Local people claim they are better; that their local system is better. Lee Cataluna, local columnist from Maui, wrote years ago:
Here we go again, jumping into the same old debate between local versus outsider when it comes to leading a big, unwieldy Hawaii organization that needs a lot of fixing.
Lee Cataluna
Lee concluded, “but in Hawaii, we love favors. We love having a friend on the inside. It is how so much business is transacted.”
And, LOCAL officials, local favors, local culture and local friends on this inside … led to the total destruction of Lahaina, and incineration of 100s of human beings, many who were keiki. We can still hear their screams of horror in the night.
The internal candidate versus mainland hotshot debate is often influenced by whoever has just washed out as leader of the organization, Cataluna writes. Instead of pointing to the specific actions that led to a former leader’s shortcomings, their point of origin becomes the accepted reason they didn’t work out.
Hawaiian Electric executive incompetency ignited the fires; energized company power lines blocked people attempting to flee. Any HEI or HECO leaders washed out? NOPE! The corporation protects their own. As reported 9.21.23, Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) however hired OUTSIDER HOTSHOT investment banker Scott DeGhetto for more than $1.5 million for a 15-month contract as company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Compensation includes annual base salary of $600,000, $600,000 signing bonus, and $250,000 in moving expenses, plus eligibility to receive other benefits.
When it came to the safety of Lahaina residents, Hawaiian Electric and government selected local friends on the inside. Now with Hawaiian Electric survival on the line, the company looks to outsiders.
Ana Vee needs to update her popular song. Guess it’s not best to be local grown! It’s always better to be competent. Hard lesson for Hawai’i to learn.
UPDATE 9.22.23: First Residential Reentry Passes for Lahaina Now Available (9.22-9-24). Find out more at Maui Recovers. Property owners and residents of Zone 1C — Kaniau Road — in Lahaina will be able to pick up vehicle passes for reentry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
UPDATE 9.21.23: Hawaiian Electric collapses into de Ghetto due to possible bankruptcy!!!
CivilBeat reports that Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) hired investment banker Scott DeGhetto for more than $1.5 million for a 15-month contract as company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Compensation includes annual base salary of $600,000, $600,000 signing bonus, and $250,000 in moving expenses, plus eligibility to receive other benefits.
Analysts have compared HEI’s situation to that of Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which was driven into bankruptcy after a series of California wildfires and ensuing lawsuits in 2017 and 2018.
DeGhetto is an “expert” utility dealmaker with experience in mergers, restructuring and bankruptcy, and has been serving as a managing director for Moelis & Co. in Houston. DeGhetto begins with HEI Oct. 1, serve as CFO until Jan. 1, 2025 and stay “in an advisory capacity” until April 2025.
DeGhetto joins HEI at a critical time, as company shares trade around $13.30, compared to 52-week high of $43.71 before the Lahaina disaster. Rating agencies slashed the company’s bond to junk status, and it will cost HEI more to borrow money to replace its destroyed infrastructure. The company faces a growing number of lawsuits from fire victims and shareholders.
UPDATE 9.20.23: Fighting ‘the beast’: Inside the desperate quest to save Lahaina
NBCNews provides a gruesome account of the August 8th events. Maui County firefighters believed they had subdued the initial brush fire, which started due to HECO downed power lines. Just before 9am, officials declared the fire 100% contained, meaning crews had it fully surrounded but it was not necessarily out.
“To hear that we were going back there, I was like, you’ve got to be joking. How could it possibly be that we’re going back there?”
Aina Kohler, Maui County firefighter
Firefighters left the scene at 2:18pm; back at the station for about 20 minutes. Then, just before 3pm, they received a report of a brush fire — in the area they had just left. That fire would go on to incinerate Lahaina.
“You know, sometimes when you’re in a nightmare, you can tell yourself that and then you wake up. And you’re like, yes, we’re in a nightmare,” Kohler said. “And we weren’t in a nightmare. It was very real.”
Aina Kohler, Maui County firefighter
More than two-dozen lawsuits have now been filed since the fire, most of them blaming Hawaiian Electric for failing to take sufficient safety measures. Kohler and husband, Jonny Varona — who lost two businesses, a surf shop and a cafe, along with their home — are among several residents accusing Hawaiian Electric of negligence. Maui County is also suing the utility, and is being accused of negligence itself.
Hawaiian Electric declined to comment on any lawsuits.
UPDATE 9.18.23: HECO Demands Ratepayers Pay Cost of Lahaina Disaster
Hawai’i News Now reported that Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) continues to deny responsibility for the incineration of hundreds of human beings and destruction of history Lahaina town. A lawsuit alleges that between 2019 and 2022, HECO invested less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on the island.
“Rather than spend its customer’s money to improve infrastructure maintenance and safety, the Board of Directors of Hawaiian Electric funneled ratepayers’ money to boost their own profits and compensation. This pattern and practice of favoring profits over safety left Hawaiian Electric vulnerable to an increased risk of a catastrophic event such as the Maui fire, which was the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history and the deadliest U.S. fire in over a century.”
Frank A. Bottini, Bottini & Bottini
StarAdvertiser, 5.13.19, reported that it pays to be a top executive at Hawaiian Electric. Seven CEOs received a total compensation of at least $3 million and two topped $5 million. Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) CEO Connie Lau received the highest pay package in the state worth $5.7 million, or 115 TIMES earnings of an average worker in Hawai’i $49,670 (2017 data).
In a PUC filing last month, HECO said it will need a lot of money to rebuild on Maui, and plans to request rate increases to pay for damage to its equipment, including 400 poles and 300 transformers and the labor to fix them and restore power. Whether that will happen could depend on whether the company’s neglect or negligence contributed to the destruction.
“There is equipment that should be on those transmission lines, to prevent those lines from short circuiting and being cut and remaining live on the on the ground. My understanding is that really shouldn’t have happened, if it did.”
Jeff Ono, former PUC Consumer Advocate
HECO has yet to file a report of an “accident” involving its equipment, which it did after blackouts following other incidents. Pressure is building on Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to investigate HECO’s responsibility before and during the fires.
“The PUC has to determine whether ratepayers should pay to rebuild this structures that fallen or whether it’s the responsibility of the utility because they did something wrong,” Curtis said.
Henry Curtis, Life of the Land Executive Director
Multiple lawsuits have been filed accusing HECO of sparking the fire after failing to take steps to harden the grid against catastrophic wind events. On the day of the fire, downed equipment also slowed evacuations.
That grid “needed work” and that some lines should have been underground. “We have a lot of old poles here, we have conductors that could be spaced further apart.”
Edmund Clark, retired renewable energy executive who lives on Maui
UPDATE 9.15.23: Oprah Winfrey is upset that locals do not appreciate her and exposed her narcissism and self-promotion. The billionaire claims she was terrorized and vilified online after the Maui fires. Oprah brought a film crew with her just moments after the fire to record her giving out pillows and toothpaste. Locals easily see through BS and phony people. Oprah is tone death.
Oprah recently purchased 870 acres of land in the Kola area of Maui for $6.6 million from the Ulupalakua Ranch. Many local people are homeless or can’t find affordable housing. Billionaires buy up all the land for vacation homes and do not live here.
The Rock Reacts to Oprah Winfrey Stealing Land Amid Maui Fires
Lack of Empathy and Willingness to hold officials accountable plagues Hawai’i. Although not a professional survey, this non-scientific poll offers a look into the views of readers likely to live on O’ahu, who tend to be Asian and Caucasian. They admit HEI/HECO action was “so-so,” but do not blame officials for the devastating fires. Would be interesting to see how Lahaina residents, particularly Native Hawaiian (Kanaka) and Filipino, respond.
As reported yesterday, HEI/HECO spent less than $250,000 between 2019 and 2022 on mitigating risks of wildfires on Maui, yet paid HEI/HECO CEOs tens of millions of dollars in executive compensation and bonuses. Some 200+ human beings, many keiki, were incinerated or swept out to sea. Total cost now expects to exceed $6 billion. Priceless history was wiped off the map. Corporate error.
School Starts: Yesterday was the ‘First day’ for Maui public school students displaced by wildfire. For nearly 600 Maui public school students displaced by the closure of their schools by the Lahaina wildfire, Thursday was a “first day of school” like none other. In a special moment, Lahainaluna High School students sang their alma mater on their first day at their temporary school site in Kihei on Thursday.
DOE released online report showing progress made toward reopening Lahaina schools. They say it will be updated as new information becomes available. View the progress report.
UPDATE 9.14.23: HECO shareholder files lawsuit against electric company and board of directors, naming current and former board members, including Scott Seu, current president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI), parent company of HECO, along with HECO’s current president and CEO Shelee Kimura. Complaint — filed by shareholder Christina Rice — said HECO spent millions of dollars instead to reach its renewable energy goals that earned the company millions in bonuses for its executives.
“In a situation like this, accountability is import. Ultimately we want to affect change and this is a way to do both.”
Addison Bonner, plaintiff’s attorney
The latest lawsuit claims that between 2019 and 2022, HECO spent less than $245,000 on mitigating the risks of wildfires on Maui, yet in 2022 HEI CEO Seu’s pay rose to $3.6 million from $1.9 million the year before.
FEMA is hiring on Maui. Seeking writers, liaisons, planners, historic preservation and geospatial information specialists, and digital communications specialists, to name a few. These temporary positions on Oʻahu and Maui start as 120-day appointments and may be extended up to one year. Benefits include sick leave, health insurance and up to 11 paid holidays.
To view the open positions, visit usajobs.gov, type keywords “local hire” and enter “Hawaii” for the location. Detailed information is provided for each position, including pay and benefits.
Dates and locations of the job fairs are:
Oprah claims to be “shocked” for the “vitriol” and criticism over Maui fire donation backlash. Shortly after the fires, Oprah showed up with a camera crew to film her giving out pillows and toothpaste. Filming herself to promote her philanthropic activity in a crisis did not impress the suffering residents. Being humble is a valued trait in local kine character.
“I was so excited about it, and then I got up the next morning, and I saw all of this vitriol, and I was, like, ‘Whoa, what happened here?’ It made me sad that we are at this state in our country.”
Oprah to best friend, Gayle King, CBS Morning
Oprah and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson donated $10 million, although having a net worth of more than $2.8 BILLION, and asked their fans to donate the rest.
New York Post reported that fans complained they were already living “paycheck-to-paycheck,” and that the uber-rich celebrities should dole out more of their own money toward relief efforts.
“I would but I’m broke…you two got this though!”
Carolina Moreno (TikTok, August 31, 2023)
“Billionaire asking for money from the poor, what a joke”
Outraged Fan on Winfrey’s Instagram
UPDATE 9.11.23: NEVER FORGET our heroes lost on 9.11. NEVER FORGET #LahainaStrong on 8.8
On August 6, 2001, the CIA warned GW Bush of a potential attack by Usama bin Laden. The newly-elected president did nothing. On August 6, 2023, the National Weather Service warned officials in Hawai’i that high winds potentially would bring down energized power lines. Hawaiian Electric CEO & president Shelee Kimura did nothing.
Bishop Estate Caused Lahaina Fire: The County of Maui and State of Hawai’i have been named for the first time as co-defendants and landowners liable for nuisance in a civil action filed by the father of a 57-year-old woman who was tragically and suddenly killed trying to escape the fires that devastated the community of Lahaina within the County of Maui on August 8th. The complaint filed yesterday in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit of the State of Hawai’i additionally accuses utility Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and its subsidiary Maui Electric Company, Limited — as well as major landowner, Bishop Estate — of facilitating the fire that destroyed the residence of Rebecca Rans, causing her to flee, cutting off her escape paths and routes, and ultimately resulting in her wrongful death.
The complaint details how the risk of wildfires to Lahaina was known to the defendants, documented in reports from the Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization dating back to at least 2014. Yet it was only in 2022 that Hawaiian Electric submitted its first request for funding to harden its power grid, far too late.
Bishop Estate is a trust that was endowed with nearly 10% of the landmass of the state of Hawai’i. Today, Bishop owns several large parcels of land that were in the path of and facilitated the fire destruction that ultimately destroyed Rans’ residence and caused her untimely and tragic death.
UPDATE 9.10.23: CivilBeat analysis of different programs and fundraisers found more than $494 million in relief funds for Maui have been pledged in government assistance, private donations and nonprofit efforts since the Aug. 8 fires. Federal and state government agencies committed $194 million; non-governmental groups raised $300 million as of Sept. 10.
If you want to help, LOCALS are efficient helping LOCALS. This is aloha. This is island spirit. We are “Small Town” people assisting those in need. Jesus said, “This is the way!”
DONATE: https://givesendgo.com/honokowairelief
Fires Happened Before. Hawaiian Electric and Government Failed to Act
Around 11 p.m., Aug. 24, 2018, something ignited the dry, grassy hills behind their home in the Kaua’ula Valley, a West Maui community uphill from Lahaina. Howling winds from a passing hurricane helped feed that spark, sending what the Dizons called a “wall of fire” toward their unincorporated village, where about 50 Native Hawaiian people live on ancestral (known as Kuleana) land that has been in their families for centuries. [Washington Post]
No one died, but if the winds had been stronger that day, officials said, the ultimate toll could have been far worse. Even so, the West Maui fires of 2018 torched 21 houses, 27 cars and more than 2,100 acres, causing $4.3 million in damage and displacing a few dozen people, including the Dizons, who lived in a shelter for a year and a half while they rebuilt. In terms of homes lost, it was the most destructive wildfire in state history — until now.
Five years apart, the two disasters eerily parallel one other. Both times, in August, hurricane-fueled winds pounded West Maui. Both times, they helped to ignite what would become multiple fires in overgrown, drought-stricken hills. The first time, the lack of warnings and chaotic evacuations spurred residents to question their leaders’ response, preparation and transparency. The second time, some of the same problems repeated themselves.
State officials today claim that “nobody saw this coming” and that “this has never happened before.”
And even back then, people had questions for and concerns about Maui Electric, which is part of Hawaiian Electric — whose equipment is strongly suspected of causing the most recent Lahaina fire. According to residents in the 2018 meeting, the company was responsible for other blazes as well. “If the winds exceed a certain amount, is Maui Electric required to shut down?” one person asked. “Those wires were whipping up there. And that was the cause of the fire.”
“That was not a conversation that was had.”
Mahina Martin, chief of communications and public affairs for Maui County
Mahina Martin confirmed that the utility did not have a protocol to shut down power ahead of high winds. They still do not, as The Post first reported.
“You don’t move on,” from something like this, Samantha Dizon said. Because when you witness and escape a fire like she did, every whiff of smoke brings you right back to that smothering, burning air, to the panic and the chilling thoughts that you won’t ever get out of it, to the sounds you wish you’d never heard.
LA Times reported (8.24.23): “With other fires burning elsewhere on the island, emergency personnel made the decision to move on. But within an hour or two of the last firefighters leaving the scene, the blaze began to flare up, according to witnesses.”
UPDATE 9.9.23: Surfer Community organized LARGEST Paddle Out in history. Possibly bigger than paddle out for Brother IZ. We are “Small Town” people. Our aloha is infectious. Mahalo to Stick Figure for background music, “Sound of the Sea”
Another view of the paddle out from Maui Hawai’i.
One of Two Paddle Out Events O’ahu 8.19.23 for #LahainaStrong
UPDATE 9.8.23 Number of people who remain missing following the catastrophic wildfire that destroyed the historic Maui town of Lahaina last month has dropped to 66, Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green reported.
One month from horrific fire and devastating destruction. NO TRUST until officials are held accountable. “That is such bullshit,” reported Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S Representative (D) and presidential candidate.
@TulsiGabbard: “The alarms were not sounded because of this fire, and that was the number one question: Why wouldn’t you sound the alarm system?”
Frustration increasing with officials who refuse to accept responsibility: “Josh Green Sucks.”
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen refuses to speak with the people. KITV4 reported that when Bissen appeared in a live interview on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m., he seemed unaware that Lahaina was on fire and that people were trying to escape into the ocean or on roads that were blocked by downed power lines, flames or other obstacles.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said he didn’t know that anyone had died in Lahaina until the morning of Aug. 9, the day after the fires.
In a news conference on Aug. 29, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said he did not place a single call to state emergency officials for help in supporting firefighters in Lahaina who were battling the blaze.
“The mayor appears to be on another planet entirely.”
@Lumiere858
Amid calls for him to resign over his handling of the Lahaina disaster, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen remains tight-lipped about whether he stayed with his key staff in the emergency operations center overnight as firefighters continued to battle the blaze. CivilBeat reports that Bissen’s silence follows scripted statements, remarks at press conferences and in live newscasts that leave the impression of a leader out of touch with the basic elements of disaster management.
Both Maui County and Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) are targets of public outrage over who’s responsible for the devastation and death in Lahaina — HECO because power lines sparked the fire and county for ineffective response, including leaving Lahaina area too soon. Maui fire fighters had to leave to put fires out elsewhere. HECO did nothing to assist. Could have attended “hot spots” in initial fire. HECO management abandoned the people. HECO CEO & president Shelee Kimura is responsible for 100s of deaths, and billions of dollars in damage and destruction to the historical town of Lahaina.
NOTE: Shelee Kimura has apparently deleted her LinkedIn page:
TRY: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheleekimura
VIEW: Hawaiian Electric Company Leadership Team [about us]. Kimura needs to resign.
![John Pritchett: You Did It. No, You Did It [CivilBeat]](https://clearhealthlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/maui_heco.jpg)
The departure of firefighters from the initial Lahaina fire, reported by other news organizations including the Associated Press and the San Francisco Chronicle, was spurred by the need to fight fires elsewhere on Maui, Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green said in an interview with CBS.
“But when you look at what was going on, it looks like they were tapped out. They were overwhelmed. You’ve got only so many resources.”
Bobby Lee, president Hawaii Fire Fighters Association
Why were OTHER fires burning elsewhere on the island? Were there additional HECO downed power lines that ignited fires? Under normal circumstances, about 60 to 70 of the total 200+ Maui fire fighters are working at any given time out of 10 fire stations, including one in Lahaina.
LA TIMES: Among the best practices in fighting wildfires is the “mop-up,” the difficult task of extinguishing burning materials all the way down to the mineral soil and cooling ash pits, which can take several days after a fire is considered “contained.”
“Mop-up is difficult, dirty and lacks the excitement of initial attack and direct suppression; however, it is a critical phase in the suppression process because remaining burning debris may rekindle. Mop-up must be thorough because a small spark or flame could rekindle, starting another and perhaps larger fire.”
Training Manual for National Wildfire Coordinating Group
MFD personnel didn’t have “several days.” They had more fire fighting to do on August 8th. The initial blaze began to flare up. Why weren’t HECO personnel on site to tend to fire? There were not enough MFD fighters. HECO should have assisted. HECO was warned Aug 6, 2023 of extreme winds and possible downed power lines. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura did nothing to prepare. She said Hawaiian Electric had no plan. Failure to plan is a plan to fail.
UPDATE 9.7.23: Did you hear about Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s daughter? In a statement released by Maui County, “With regards to the conflict, the Mayor [Bissen], out of an abundance of caution and to avoid the appearance of impropriety because of family ties within HECO, did not believe it appropriate to be involved in the decision to pursue or not pursue litigation against HECO.”
Hawai’i suffers the Big Three in Corruption and Incompetence. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen and Major General Kenneth S. Hara are all part ofcover up to PROTECT the Hawaiian Electric corporation. They incinerated an estimated 500+ of our ‘Ohana. They did not keep our community safe.
“I can’t speak to what or whose responsibility it was to communicate directly,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in response to a question from a CBS News reporter. “I can’t say who was responsible for communicating with General Hara.”
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara heads the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Mayor Bissen also said he wasn’t sure of the chain of command or who was in charge of the Maui Emergency Management Agency on the day of fire.
UPDATE 9.7.23: CNN reports that attorneys who filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, accusing the utility company of causing the devastating Lahaina wildfire in Maui, are asking a judge to let them expand the suit to include telecommunications companies along with private and public landowners.
The original suit claimed Hawaiian Electric was to blame for the fire, because it did not deenergize power lines that were knocked down by high winds. Plaintiffs now claim the cable TV provider Charter Communications and telephone company Hawaiian Telecom also contributed to the danger, alleging they “overloaded at least some of the power poles, destabilizing them,” making the wooden poles more likely to snap.
Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said in a statement following Maui’s lawsuit that the company believes the complaint is factually and legally irresponsible.” Some 500+ presumed dead and Kimura admits no wrong. The arrogance and cruelty of Hawaiian Electric management is disturbing. Shares of Hawaiian Electric have plunged 67% since the fires erupted August 8.
For its 2022 fiscal year, HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, listed the following executives on its annual proxy statement to the SEC. Salaries for Scott W.H. Seu, Hawaiian Electric Industries, CEO & president, $3,575,003; Shelee M. Kimura, Hawaiian Electric Company, CEO & president, $1,514,176.
UPDATE 9.2.23: Although Gov. Josh Green hinted that the number of missing might fall below 50, the official count released yesterday was 385 — down just three from the estimated 388 missing previously. At this point, we must assume these heroic human beings, including hundreds of keiki, were incinerated or swept out to sea.
Residents continue to ask if officials are hiding information. Hawai’i Department of Education reported that 2,025 students have not re-enrolled in public schools. Did they move or enroll in private schools? [UPDATE 9.5.23: West Maui students not enrolled or contacted reduced to 1,208; reduced to estimated 966 on 9.9.23]
![Hawai'i Department of Education reports 2,025 [updated: 1,208] students missing. What happened to all our keiki?](https://clearhealthlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/enrollment.jpg)
Everybody knew the invasive grass of Maui posed a deadly fire threat, but few acted, reported Wall Street Journal.
“Report after report over nearly a decade warned state and Maui County officials that the grasses—which are up to 10 times as dense as those commonly found on the mainland—were bound to cause more fires. Maui’s own fire department managers raised repeated concerns over unsafe vegetation and pointed to previous wildfires that sparked in grasslands as evidence, transcripts from years of county meetings show.”
Hawaiian Electric Company is now accused of killing our friends and family, and if confirmed, this appears to be negligent homicide or involuntary manslaughter.
UPDATE 9.1.23: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is launching an investigation into Hawaiian Electric Company for its role in the deadly wildfire that consumed Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 115 people.
The letter is addressed to heads of HECO, Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission and Hawai’i State Energy Office, House committee’s chairwoman, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, said that she and her colleagues had a number of concerns about HECO’s potential culpability in the fire and whether it had done enough to prepare for the catastrophe given that officials had known for years that such a disaster was a real possibility. The letter notes that there’s evidence that a downed HECO power line may have been the cause of the blaze that eventually engulfed Lahaina.
Governor Josh Green told media, “I think we’re going to hear a number in the lower double digits tomorrow, hopefully under 50. And it’s not much consolation because our hearts are broken that we lost 115 people for sure, but it is something that we are grateful that it is not 800 or 1,000 like people were projecting earlier. But tomorrow we should have a much tighter number for everyone.”
UPDATE 8.31.23: Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) said it would de-energize a power line servicing Kokee after 6 p.m. Wednesday to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out. The 34,000-member co-op also adjusted its electrical circuits from Port Allen to Mana so that if power is lost it would not be automatically restored until the fire weather watch is over and the lines have been inspected. Awesome! It can be done if management is competent. KIUC is well-managed. Hawaiian Electric is not. KIUC protects residents and rate payers. Hawaiian Electric as we now know failed to protect our ‘Ohana. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura should resign. How can residents trust her now?
UPDATE 8.29.23: The Guardian reported Hawaiian Electric now admits that their power lines sparked fires but blames Maui County firefighters for failing to properly extinguish the blaze. Richard Fried, a Honolulu attorney working as co-counsel on Maui county’s lawsuit, countered that if the power company’s lines hadn’t caused the initial fire, “this all would be moot.”
John Fiske, attorney at a California firm that’s also representing Maui county in the lawsuit, said the ultimate responsibility rested with Hawaiian Electric to properly keep up its equipment, and make sure lines were not live when they were downed or could be downed. Fiske said that if the utility had information about a second ignition source, it should offer that evidence now.
Mike Morgan, an Orlando attorney who is on Maui to work on wildfire litigation for his firm, Morgan & Morgan, said he thought Hawaiian Electric’s statement was an attempt to shift liability and total responsibility.
Videos and images analyzed by the AP confirmed that the wires that started the morning fire were among miles of line that the utility left naked to the weather and often-thick foliage, despite a recent push by utilities in other wildfire- and hurricane-prone areas to cover up their lines or bury them.
Compounding the problem is that many of the utility’s 60,000 mostly wooden power poles, which its own documents described as built to “an obsolete 1960s standard,” were leaning and near the end of their projected lifespan. They were nowhere close to meeting a 2002 national standard that key components of Hawaii’s electrical grid be able to withstand 105-mile-per-hour winds.
New York Times reported that the Lahaina inferno began after firefighters departed a “contained” scene. “More than eight hours before a deadly fire swept through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, a small brush fire broke out on the edge of a residential neighborhood located a little more than a mile away from the town’s historic waterfront.”
“Firefighters spent hours dousing the blaze with water and carving boundaries around the burning fields with heavy machinery. They managed to keep the fire away from nearby homes, containing it to some empty plots of land.”
“Then came what could prove to be one of the key turning points in a disaster that became the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. With hurricane-force gusts still blowing over the fire site and the surrounding arid shrubbery, crews left the neighborhood. They were needed, officials said, at other locations.”
“Within an hour, residents and Maui County authorities said, the initial brush fire flared up again and roared down the hillside toward the ocean, destroying nearly everything in its path. This time, the fire swiftly grew out of control.”
The question officials must now answer is whether additional fires started by Hawaiian Electric downed power lines forced MFD to abandon the initial location.
Around 3:20 p.m., reported StarAdvertiser, Lahaina resident Kevin Eliason was watching black smoke from a vantage point closer to downtown when passersby told him a power pole had been knocked onto the tar roof of a gas station two blocks away, and created fireballs that were being blown in the wind. Eliason said the fire knocked power out in the area soon after.
UPDATE 8.28.23: Hawaiian Electric says power lines didn’t start deadly Lahaina inferno. StarAdvertiser reported that the company acknowledged that its power lines apparently started an Aug. 8 morning fire in Lahaina but contends the town was leveled by a different fire that began in the afternoon, hours after the company’s equipment had been “de-energized.”
There have been 115 people confirmed killed, while more than 300 others remain unaccounted in the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history in more than a century.
Six days after the fire, however, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura reported at a Monday news conference that the utility did not shut off the power when the winds picked up. Kimura and other executives have also noted that Hawaiian Electric does not have a formal power shutoff program. Therefore, which is it Shelee? Was the power on or off?
“We were surprised and disappointed that the County of Maui rushed to court even before completing its own investigation. We believe the complaint is factually and legally irresponsible. … Unfortunately, the county’s lawsuit may leave us no choice in the legal system but to show its responsibility for what happened that day.”
Shelee Kimura, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric
The company says it has informed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is investigating the catastrophic fire’s origins, of the availability of records that “conclusively establish” that Hawaiian Electric power lines to Lahaina were not energized when the afternoon fire broke out.
Hawaiian Electric however issued a news release at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 8 (day of fire), “With the forecast of continued high winds, if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and dangerous. Stay away from downed power lines — at least 30 feet or more (at least two car lengths).”
“The records conclusively establish that Hawaiian Electric power lines to Lahaina were not energized when the Afternoon Fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. on Aug. 8, in a field near Lahaina Intermediate School. Power had been out for more than six hours by that time. There was no electricity flowing through the wires in the area or anywhere else on the West Maui coast.”
Maui County officials claim “negligent” Hawaiian Electric operations caused fires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda on Aug. 8, and seek payment for damage to public property, lost revenue and expenses for emergency response and recovery.
Jim Kelly, a Hawaiian Electric vice president and spokesperson, declined to answer StarAdvertiser’s follow-up questions and said the company would not comment beyond the news release.
UPDATE 8.27.23: The deaths and destruction caused by Hawaiian Electric Company was a “preventable tragedy of epic proportions,” said attorney Paul Starita, lead counsel on three of the lawsuits. In the first moments of the Maui fires, when high winds brought down power poles, slapping electrified wires to the dry grass below, there was a reason the flames erupted all at once in long, neat rows — those wires were bare, uninsulated metal that could spark on contact.
Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed those wires were among miles of line that Hawaiian Electric Company left naked to the weather and often-thick foliage, despite a recent push by utilities in other wildfire- and hurricane-prone areas to cover up their lines or bury them.
Many of Hawaiian Electric Company’s 60,000, mostly wooden power poles, which its own documents described as built to “an obsolete 1960s standard,” were leaning and near the end of their projected lifespan. They were nowhere close to meeting a 2002 national standard that key components of Hawaii’s electrical grid be able to withstand 105-mile-per-hour winds.
StarAdvertiser reported that a 2019 filing said Hawaiian Electric Company had fallen behind in replacing old wooden poles because of other priorities and warned of a “serious public hazard” if they “failed.”
UPDATE 8.25.23: Maui County Sues Hawaiian Electric for damages caused to the county’s property by fires, including the blaze that destroyed Lahaina. The county alleges that Hawaiian Electric’s power lines ignited dry fuel such as grass and brush, causing the fires, according to a statement. The utility was also sued by investors who claim that its share price has been hit in the wake of the deadly fire because its wildfire safety procedures were inadequate.
Investors Sue Hawaiian Electric For ‘Misleading’ Them About Potential Liability For Wildfire. On Thursday, 8.25.23, investors filed suit against Hawaiian Electric Co.’s parent company, Hawaiian Electric Industries, as well as several of its key current and former executives, alleging that the company and its top leaders violated federal securities laws. Specifically, the suit names former HEI President and CEO Constance Lau, who stepped down in January 2022, as well as her successor in that role, Scott Seu.
Mike Gunner reported on social media that he met with HECO in Kahuku in 2019 and “described exactly what happened in Lahaina to them if their system faulted because of the windmills. They were warned … stray voltage kills.”
Hawaiian Electric may have compromised evidence in fire probe, lawyers say. HECO is believed to have started the deadly Lahaina fire and removed damaged power poles and other equipment from a key fire scene, potentially affecting evidence that is part of an official investigation into how the blaze ignited.
The County of Maui on Thursday released a validated list of the names of 388 individuals who have been reported unaccounted for following the Lahaina wildfire disaster on August 8, 2023.
UPDATE 8.23.23: The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maui police announced they are working through a list of 1,000 to 1,100 people who remained unaccounted for after the wildfires that leveled Lahaina and killed at least 115. At this point, we must assume they are dead.
Hawaiian Electric should have known it could be endangering the people of Maui by not implementing a Power Public Shutoff Plan. The utility’s failure to shut off power, combined with other missteps by the power company and other entities, allegedly enabled a devastating fire that consumed Maui, killing more than 100 people, injuring countless others, and destroying homes and businesses.
Levin Papantonio Rafferty Law Firm
Numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging that the utility’s power lines ignited the fires which destroyed much of Lahaina. The company has been cut to junk by all three major credit ratings firms, with Fitch Ratings estimating that potential liabilities may top $3.8 billion, “representing an existential threat to the company.”
During the 2019 wildfire season, one of the worst Maui had ever seen, killing some 89 residents, Hawaiian Electric concluded that it needed to do far more to prevent power lines from emitting sparks. [source]
Residents now believe Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) CEO Shelee Kimura spent more time accepting awards and partying than caring for the people of Lahaina, Maui.
Mahalo Pacific Business News for a wonderful evening last night at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach! I am honored to be named one of 15 Power Leaders in the 2022-2023 Book of Lists. Congratulations to Ann Teranishi, president and CEO of American Savings Bank, and mahalo for sharing this glowing moment with me!
Shelee Kimura, President and CEO at Hawaiian Electric
“We all believe it’s important to understand what happened. And I think we all believe it’s important to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Shelee Kimura, CEO & president of Hawaiian Electric
Kimura’s behavior is not leadership. If initial reports are accurate, she failed an entire community. Killed hundreds. Kimura has no clue what happened. She now hopes such a disaster doesn’t happen again? How can the people of Hawai’i trust her now? Shelee Kimura had no disaster management expertise. She’s a financial specialist.
Much inbreeding in Hawai’i industry. Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE: ALEX), a Hawai’i-based company focused on owning, operating, and developing high-quality commercial real estate in Hawai’i, appointed Shelee Kimura to serve on its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2023.
The company focused on profits; not people. Officials were warned about fire danger from sparking power lines; did little. Now some 1300+ [updated: 850+ missing and 114 known dead] residents, hundreds of keiki (children) were incinerated or swept out to sea. Likely their remains will never be found. Jack Poso says this is “The greatest disaster in Hawai’i since Pearl Harbor. And the won’t even tell us if the children are missing … They know.”
In the intervening years, Hawaiian Electronic consequently invested less than a quarter-of-a-million dollars on wildfire-related projects, regulatory filings obtained by the Wall Street Journal show. [source]
UPDATE 8.20.23: Media, officials and the public still cannot connect the dots leading to this unbearable disaster. HECO CEO Shelee Kimura made the decision NOT to de-energize power lines. No power, no fires. No fires, no death and destruction. If Shelee Kimura intentionally left power on, how can Hawai’i residents ever trust her again?
Can you connect the dots now? No power, no fires. No fires, some 1300+ [updated: 850+ missing and 114 known dead] human beings and keiki would be alive today! With great privilege comes great responsibility. Kimura must resign.
Six days after the fire, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura explained at a Monday news conference why the utility did not shut off the power when the winds picked up.
“In Lahaina, the electricity powers the pumps that provide the water and so that was also a critical need during that time,” Kimura said.
Lahaina’s water system’s core components are backed up by diesel generators, and would not have stopped working if electricity had been shut down.
Maui Water Pumps Can Work Without HECO Power, StarAdvertiser
How did Shelee Kimura with little disaster experience, a financial specialist with no tactical training, no emergency management training, become CEO? HECO intentionally left power lines energized. This was a criminal act! Kimura and HECO were warned.
Over Haleakalā summit on Maui and the Big Island summits, the NWS is forecasting east winds of 45-55 mph, with gusts in excess of 66 mph possible.
Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. The NWS advises that power outages are possible, and travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The public is advised to take precautions now to protect property by tying down loose objects or move them to a sheltered location.
High Wind Watch, National Weather Service, August 6, 2023
Fire began at town’s highest elevation, near a subdivision tucked beneath canyons that spit out howling gusts during a Santa Ana-style wind event. Orientation of those canyons and the way the nearby neighborhoods were built in 1970s and ’80s created a dangerous situation in the event of a wildfire.
“In that, it’s just the most heartbreaking thing you’ve ever seen. We’ve had floods and hurricanes and even some wildfires, and certainly some volcanic eruptions, and all of those is its own kind of tragedy, but this is in its own category in terms of the death toll and also in terms of the property damage … As bad as this looks, it’s actually worse,”
Hawai’i U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
Hawaiian Electric energized and downed power lines blocked the Honoapiʻilani Highway, which is the primary access road to and from Lahaina. Maui police had to stop traffic and wait for HECO. Excruciating delay. Likely led to more deaths. Hawai’i News Now report.
“The ignition is probably in the worst possible spot,” said Neil Lareau, an assistant professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Nevada-Reno. It flared in densely packed neighborhoods, providing ample fuel.
Once the homes were torched, they acted like a flammable runway as embers followed the winds downhill to the shoreline.
“In many ways, you’re creating a carpet of fuel if you’re having home-to-home propagation of fire,” UC Merced climatologist John Abatzoglou said.
This terrible incident leads some to express wild conspiracy theories, like a D.E.W. (direct energy weapon) was used to destroy more than 2,500 homes and buildings, and kill over 1,300+ human beings.
Gilda Holy, from Makaha, Hawai’i, spreads a fake message to distressed and traumatized islanders. Please stop this nonsense. This disaster is not like 9/11. Hawaiian Kingdom was not attacked. HECO, Hawaiian Electric Company, ignited the fires. Corporate incompetence killed members of our ‘Ohana.
This outrageous rumor is false — and hurtful. We are still recovering bodies and counting the dead. Many people, including innocent keiki (children) likely were burned to ashes or swept out to sea. One Lahinaluna father posted that “Most the kids in our neighborhoods are gone. All my son’s friends are dead bro. I’m worried about my wife. I think she’s going to lose her mind.”
What we do know at this time is that Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and Maui Electric Company (MECO) power lines were not de-energized and started the initial fires. According to the company’s account: “Several important facts are clear about the events on Aug. 8: A fire at 6:30 a.m. (the “Morning Fire”) appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.”
There were reports of additional downed power lines that started other fires or blocked people in their cars who were attempting to flee the deadly fires, heat and toxic fumes. Winds in excess of 80mph turned the fires into a blow torch of Biblical force from mauka to makai (mountains to ocean).
Local resident reported to Truthpole how the fires started early Tuesday morning.
University of Hawai’i researchers had warned government officials since 2014 that tinder dry non-native grasses on Maui were presenting extremely dangerous threats to residents. Governor Dave Ige, Lt. Gov Josh Green, who is current governor, did nothing. In 2018, one of the most destructive fires in state history struck West Maui, spread by similar winds. Reports concluded:
“Wild/brush/forest fires present a growing threat to Maui County citizen safety and property. Island communities are particularly vulnerable because populations tend to be clustered and dependent on single highways, often located on the island edge,” a Maui County government commission wrote in 2021.
In fact, commissioners wrote: “Hawaii’s and Maui’s fire problem is more extreme than on the U.S. mainland.” The report they cited for that data urged attention to human-caused risks, such as above-ground power lines that can spark in windy conditions.
The Maui County Hazard Mitigation Plan warns of past windstorms, including a prior record in Maui of 83 mph. “Extreme wind is recognized as a regular occurrence in Maui County,” the report said. “All of Maui County is vulnerable to high windstorms due to the topography and movement of weather fronts through the area. During a time of extreme heat and high winds, the wildfire threat would significantly increase.”
Ignored warnings, hubris, slow response fueled America’s deadliest wildfire in a century. Rong-Gong Lin II, Richard Winton and Alexandra E. Petri – Los Angeles Times
The massive California Camp Fire occurred in 2018. California’s electric utility, PG&E, was fined billions for failing to de-energize their power lines. HECO / MECO didn’t listen or learn. They spent hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade home and business to smart meters so they could increase profits. They could have instead updated Maui’s electric grid so power lines could be switched off more effectively.
HECO protected profits, not people. Top executives should go to prison. Former HEI CEO and president Connie Lau and HECO CEO Alan Oshima. Current HEI CEO and president Scott Seu and HECO CEO Shelee Kimura. All appear to be directly responsible for this disaster. Cruelty and incompetence characterized Hawaiian Electric top officials.
Other false stories about Hawai’i should also be debunked and corrected at this time. The local and popular narrative demonizes White people and the USA government. This blaming and victimization is not helpful to relations and the success of our keiki. They need to know the truth about our history.
Kelsi Fernandez posted a false, but popular, local account of Hawaiian history. Most people simply further what others have told them. Rumors are rampant in the islands. People prefer to “talk story” rather than read accurate historical accounts.
Kelsi went to James B. Castle High School
Lives in Anchorage, Alaska
From Kaneohe, Hawai’i
ClearHealth Life asks people to please TEACH the truth! American businessmen did not overthrow the kingdom. In 1887, LOCAL people who had lived in Hawai’i for generations, some who were descendants of missionaries who arrived around 1820, demanded a NEW constitution. This turned the monarchy into a ceremonial role, like England had at the time; as England has today.
King Kalakaua signed the agreement, and left the islands to recruit more business and labor. He was a lavish spender who hosted expensive parties, demanded the costly royal headquarters, ‘Iolani Palace, and enjoyed electricity before the White House. The monarchy TAXED business and plantation owners to fund their privileged families and endless desires. Local people said enough is enough!
Kalakaua died in 1891. His sister, Lydia, was next in line to sit on the throne. She took the name of Queen Lili’uokalani and opposed the 1887 agreement. She had been openly upset with her brother and began working to undo the arrangement. She wanted ALL the power. Poor decision. The world remembers Queen Elizabeth. She wielded much political power and was highly respected. Queen Lili’uokalani would have been received similarly. She refused to compromise with local leaders.
LOCAL officials refused to go backward. They booted Lydia from the throne in 1893. In 1894, local residents and officials created the Republic of Hawai’i, and Hawaiian Kingdom Chief Justice Sanford Dole became first and only president. USA had nothing to do with this LOCAL political infighting.
USA however had legal rights to Pearl Harbor due to treaty in 1875. They were concerned about political instability and made Hawai’i, along with Puerto Rico and Philippines a US territory after defeating Spain in 1898. PR remains a US territory. Filipinos immediately declared war for their independence, which the USA granted in 1946. Kanaka Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole became Hawaii’s representative to the US Congress, and called for US statehood in 1920.
USA did not take Hawai’i by force. LOCALS removed the queen. Lydia petitioned two US presidents for help, but there was no treaty of protection between the nations. USA could do nothing about local political issues. And, in 1959, residents living in Hawai’i voted to join the USA as the 50th state.
Why Does This History Matter?
It is well known that local officials in Hawai’i are corrupt. Nobody in the islands was surprised to learn that Herman Andaya, director of Maui’s Emergency Management Agency, and who failed to sound Maui’s excellent all-hazard siren warning system, did not have the requisite qualifications for the position.
Happens all the time. Officials selected Andaya over some 40+ applicants. Friendism, nepotism, political cronyism are more important than merit. Andaya however would not make such a decision on his own. Maui County mayor Richard Bisson would also need to be involved. Did Bisson call for the siren to be sounded? Local officials scapegoated Andaya to protect the politician.
By falsely claiming the U.S. government “took Hawai’i by force,” they teach young and old to distrust the federal government, which provides oversight in the islands. “Don’t trust the USA. Trust us,” say local officials.
By falsely blaming American businessman, officials cast dispersion on White (haole) families. Works well for Asians and Native Hawaiians who want to dominate politically and economically in the islands. This behavior creates an Us v. Them attitude and divides people and culture in Hawai’i. This deception violates principles of aloha and kuleana (responsibility) to others. Honolulu, the state’s largest population area, is 70% Asian. Asians make up about 7% of the United States.
The destruction of Lahaina revealed the truth. Local officials failed residents of Hawai’i. HECO had been warned. Senior management, dominated by Asians from Stanford University, failed to develop a plan. State and county government had been warned. Governor David Ige, Lt Governor Josh Green did nothing in their eight years. Maui officials did nothing. Governor Green was off-island when the fires erupted. High-winds from Hurricane Dora did not concern him.
Now you know the complete story. It appears about 1000+ human beings were incinerated or swept out to sea — hundreds were only keiki (children). Incompetence and lies caused their deaths. We appreciate all your love, support and aloha at this time.
Remember you heard it here first. Please leave your comments below and be sure to FOLLOW ClearHeath Life Strategies. We provide News of the News You Wish You Knew.
Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
“I Believe We Can”
ClearHealthLife Strategies 
I never said such thing. Where do u get this from ? I don’t even live on Maui nor was I there when the fires broke out . I said it’s sad that the government wasn’t doing more to help the people of Maui. And that goes for all people in general. The government should help people in need in these situations and they don’t. All over America the government is non existent in some cases For instance Maui fires and the Baltimore bridge!?? Enough said. No one owes me anything . But when it comes to people in dire need all us Americans pay enough taxes to expect some help. America took Hawaii by force and locked up the queen and started killing people until she signed over all leadership. So actually yes fuck the government. That are not for the people they are for themselves and their own gain. I never said fuck Americans. But I will say fuck you with the most aloha to who ever wrote this bs of a story. Liars. You must be government 🤙
Aloha Nicole ~
It’s unclear what you are referencing. You wrote, “I never said such thing. Where do u get this from?” Why don’t you be specific please? You added, “The government should help people in need in these situations and they don’t.”
That may be YOUR opinion, but the Federal Government is spending BILLIONS to help clean up Lahaina; put people in temporary housing; provide meals and support services. We speak on occasion with Gov Green. He says government will spend about $5 BILLION due to this tragedy. If you want to be more specific about your concerns, we’ll discuss with you.
You did state something false, “America took Hawaii by force and locked up the queen and started killing people until she signed over all leadership.” USA didn’t take Hawai’i by force. Local people, such as William W. Hall, who lived in the islands and founded Hawaiian Electric in 1891, formed Committees who (1) addressed King David Kalakaua in 1887, and (2) booted his sister, Lydia, under name Queen Lili’uokalani, in 1893. The second Committee of Safety was staffed by local people, as was the first. They imprisoned Lydia for treason.
Many people don’t know Kingdom of Hawai’i history. Local people forced a New Constitution on David Kalakaua in 1887 because he was an extraordinary lavish spender — and TAXED local people and businesses heavily. They turned the monarchy into a ceremonial role, as England has today; as England had then. They put Kalakaua on an “allowance.” The legislature ran affairs of the Kingdom. Sister Lydia didn’t like the loss of power. After David’s death in 1891, she began working to restore HER power. Local business owners and people said, “NO !!!” They weren’t going back to a greedy system that benefited only the Royal family.
Queen Lili’uokalani abdicated the thrown in 1895; officially recognized the Republic of Hawai’i, along with about 20 other nations of the world; and supported Sanford Dole, former Supreme Court Justice of the Kingdom, as the first and only president of the Republic. USA had nothing to do with LOCAL politics in Hawai’i. In the late 1890, USA had more land than they could manage. Why would they seek to own or take 8 small islands in the middle of the Pacific. USA had rights to Pearl Harbor due to treaty with the Kingdom in 1875. There was no gold, silver, diamonds, gems or other valuable commodities in Hawai’i, and Americans were buying sugar from Hawai’i. The rest was just flower lei, shells and some remote land in the tropics. Took weeks to get here by ship. USA had plenty of land. Why would Americans come? Why would USA want to take this land?
You concluded, “I never said fuck Americans. But I will say fuck you with the most aloha to who ever wrote this bs of a story. Liars. You must be government.” We’re not government. Did we claim you said, “Fuck Americans”? For some reason you now say, “fuck you with the most aloha.” Seems you like saying FCK YOU to people. Not our style. You must be Kanaka???
governed Josh green is not Hawaiian nor does he have anything to do with the kingdom of Hawaii or take any part in any practice that’s Hawaiian .. he never served the queen of Hawaii or their people. He works for the American government. Doesn’t matter what u think about Hawaii and our people it was taken by America by force. Get your story straight before you talk stupid things. all the government officials u have mentioned that are corrupt are haoles! Without heart with out breath without care for anyone but themselves. Ur either born with it or your not. You obviously weren’t born with much of anything Hawaii would care for. Listen to all the PULUKEKE coming from u. U is what we call pilau. All those post n pics of my IG U HAVE UP HERE ARE Me yes but all the captions are mourning my son that just died. So fuck off n mind your business u dumb fucking haole!! 🖕 American government do suck ass and they run Hawaii. They are the corrupt not Hawaii. Dumb ass !! Do your research better or shut your ass.
Aloha again Nicole ~
You said Governor Josh Green is not Hawaiian. What is Hawaiian? And, you are correct. He has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Queen Lili’uokalani abdicated the throne in 1895. There is NO kingdom. Governor Green works for the State of Hawai’i. You may have missed in school that LOCAL people voted about 93% to join the USA as the 50th state in 1959.
You said, “… are corrupt are haoles!” What is a haole? You seem to claim a haole is someone who is, “Without heart with out breath without care for anyone but themselves.” Don’t believe you know what this word means either. You should do some research.
You stated, “All those post n pics of my IG U HAVE UP HERE ARE Me yes …” OK. Thanks for confirming, but we didn’t screen shot anything from IG. You seem quite confused overall. You added, “but all the captions are mourning my son that just died.” Our condolences for the loss of your son. Not sure what comments/captions you are addressing. Please be more clear in the future.
You also wrote, “So fuck off n mind your business u dumb fucking haole!! 🖕” You sure have a potty mouth. Not very impressive. You also use that “haole” word again. In that context, it appears to be HATE SPEECH.
You concluded, “Do your research better or shut your ass.” Actually, our research is quite excellent. We’ve shown that you have made many false statements, used uncivil language and engaged us with HATE SPEECH. You should get counseling for anger management issues.