In a livestreamed evening address from Honolulu, Hawaii Governor Josh Green expressed his determination to rebuild the seaside town of Lahaina, which was devastated by wildfires. He emphasized that the rebuild would be determined by the people and would serve as a living memorial to those who were lost in the tragedy. However, Native Hawaiians and community activists raised concerns about the governor's haste to rebuild, arguing that the grief is still raw and residents need time to heal. Tiare Lawrence, a Lahaina native, called on Green to include the community in the planning process and not rush development at the cost of community control.
Green attempted to address these concerns in his speech, acknowledging that rebuilding would take time and billions of dollars. He also promised to announce a moratorium on land transactions in Lahaina to prevent land grabs and impose enhanced criminal penalties on anyone trying to take advantage of the victims. However, he did not provide specific details about these measures.
The coalition of activists, known as "Na Ohana o Lele: Lahaina," expressed particular concern about the impact of development on the environment, citing mismanagement of resources as a factor that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. They also demanded that community leaders have decision-making roles in the recovery process.
The controversy surrounding the decision not to sound outdoor sirens during the fire has intensified, with the resignation of the Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator, Herman Andaya. Andaya defended his decision, stating that he feared sounding the sirens would have caused people to move into the path of the fire. However, his resignation has raised questions, and an independent review of the government's response has been called for by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez.
While the search for the missing continues in Lahaina, normalcy appears to be returning to other parts of Maui. Paddlers in outrigger canoes were seen off the coast of Kihei, and beachgoers enjoyed the sand. Green urged visitors to avoid West Maui, but assured them that other areas of the island were safe and open for travel.
The search for human remains has been carried out by search and rescue teams, with the assistance of forensic anthropologists from the Department of Defense. The number of dead is expected to increase as the search progresses. The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation.
Authorities are working to relocate evacuees from crowded shelters to hotels, with the American Red Cross providing assistance and support. Airbnb has also pledged to provide properties for 1,000 people affected by the fires.
As the death toll rises and the search for missing individuals continues, the focus remains on healing and rebuilding the community. The governor's commitment to involving the people of Lahaina in the recovery process will be crucial in ensuring that the town is restored in a way that reflects its rich history and culture.
themes: Hawaii
