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Climate Change

Fast-Growing And Fire-Resistant Grasses Are Flourishing In Hawaii Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2023

Fast-Growing And Fire-Resistant Grasses Are Flourishing In Hawaii

Grass from East Indian sugarcane to African Guinea grass have been introduced to Hawaii for centuries, predating the state’s increased risk of wildfire.

Hawaii Needs To Build Hundreds More Miles Of Firebreaks To Protect Against Wildfire Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii Needs To Build Hundreds More Miles Of Firebreaks To Protect Against Wildfire

Fire officials and landowners have known for years about gaps in Hawaii’s firebreaks and fuelbreaks. The problem boils down to money and cooperation.

Honolulu Mayor Orders Review Of Wildfire Risk On Oahu David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Honolulu Mayor Orders Review Of Wildfire Risk On Oahu

Honolulu’s managing director will assess existing fire studies to determine risks as well as firefighting and other emergency response capabilities.

Will The Maui Wildfires Cause Insurance Companies To Rethink Coverage In Hawaii? Army National Guard photo

Will The Maui Wildfires Cause Insurance Companies To Rethink Coverage In Hawaii?

The concern aligns with a national trend of increasing rates and limited coverage in areas at a high risk of the effects of climate change.

Hawaii Has Long Shortchanged Wildfire Protection: ‘We Could Have Saved Lives’ Provided: Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson/U.S. National Guard

Hawaii Has Long Shortchanged Wildfire Protection: ‘We Could Have Saved Lives’

The average annual investment is about $2 per Hawaii resident, far short of what other fire-prone states spend per capita.

Race Underway To Glue Down The Lahaina Fire’s Toxic Ash Before Rains Wash It Into The Ocean Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Race Underway To Glue Down The Lahaina Fire’s Toxic Ash Before Rains Wash It Into The Ocean

Residents are also trying to safeguard Upcountry homes from the increased chance of dangerous mudslides.

Oahu’s Main Meals-On-Wheels Program Gets A Boost From FEMA Against Climate Change Marcel Honore/Civil Beat/2023

Oahu’s Main Meals-On-Wheels Program Gets A Boost From FEMA Against Climate Change

Emergency officials prioritize community groups that serve vulnerable communities as they weigh which buildings to retrofit with limited dollars.