Hawaii officials outline efforts to prevent another devastating wildfire ahead of a dry season
HONOLULU (AP) — As Maui continues to recover from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, Hawaii officials are looking at preventing another similar disaster ahead of what is expected to be a dry, fire-prone season, Gov. Josh Green said Friday in proclaiming Wildfire Mitigation and Risk Reduction Preparedness Month.
The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire destroyed much of the town of Lahaina and killed 101 people.
Of about 3,000 households displaced, about 600 still need to get into long-term housing, Green said. More than 60 people have applied for One Ohana, a $175 million fund, named after the Hawaiian word for family, to compensate the families of people killed, he said.
“We are now past the nine-month mark since the tragedy, and today’s Day 276,” Green said. “Most people now have gone through a great deal of recovery and healing. But there are still people wrestling with where they are.”