The report reviewing last year’s devastating wildfire in Maui highlights significant shortcomings in Hawaii’s preparedness for wildfire threats. Despite receiving advanced warnings of extreme fire weather days prior to the wildfire, there was no evidence that state or local agencies took meaningful action to prepare. This lack of planning, coupled with a misperception of wildfire risk, hindered evacuation efforts, contributing to the loss of 102 lives and billions in damages in Lahaina.
The report, commissioned by the Hawaii Attorney General’s office and conducted by the Fire Safety Research Institute, criticized key agencies, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Maui Fire Department, for failing to mobilize resources or prepare evacuation plans. Though a weather forecaster had issued a detailed warning on August 4, 2023, stressing the potential danger of extreme winds, local authorities did not respond with sufficient emergency measures. This failure to plan meant that by the time the fire erupted, communication was poor, evacuation routes were blocked, and first responders lacked necessary coordination and resources.
One critical issue noted was that Hawaii, particularly Maui, has historically downplayed the risks of wildfires compared to other natural disasters like tsunamis or hurricanes. The report pointed out that Maui County had existing protocols for hurricane preparedness but lacked similar measures for wildfires. The Maui Police Department’s Natural and Man-Made Disaster Plan did not include provisions for wildfire response, even though the area had previously experienced significant fires, such as the one in 2018.
Additionally, there was no evidence that legislation passed in 2022 requiring property owners to clear flammable vegetation was enforced, which could have mitigated the fire’s spread. The report urged local officials to study wildfire preparedness strategies implemented in states like California, where Red Flag Warnings are more effectively addressed.
The investigation serves as a call for Hawaii officials to recognize the growing threat of wildfires and adopt more robust preparedness and response measures.