From the #CardboardBunker - Aug. 15th: Dog Days - Part 2~ Trouble in Paradise, Ground Effects & Reality Bites.

The very worst of the ground effects are seen and being felt on Maui. Risk assesments, reports and warnings without heed, mitigation and proper funding lead to death and destruction. Competing motivations, priorities, agendas, and policy have all come into question. Continuing prayers for Lahaina...

One week ago, on Tuesday August 8th, hazardous conditions prevailed on the Hawaiian Island and the special paradise of Maui. Continued high heat, drought and expected high winds from Hurricane Dora combined with extensive dry overgrown grass and brush, and a spark of fire, from a yet to be determined source, has lead to the Island's worst “natural” catastrophe, a disaster that has destroyed the historic native beach town of Lahaina, population 13,000.

Lahaina having once been the kingdom's Capital City, replaced by Honolulu in 1850, was home to centuries old native cultural and historic locations, structures and lands with large numbers of native population ownership. “Hawaii's governor accuses investors of trying to 'steal land' from people who had their homes destroyed by Maui wildfires”

SOURCE: (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/hawaiis-governor-accuses-investors-of-trying-to-steal-land-from-people-who-had-their-homes-destroyed-by-maui-wildfires/ar-AA1fjD2M )

Most recent news have 2200 structures destroyed with apx. 3000 more damaged by smoke or fire. Human death toll now at 106 with just 32% of effected areas searched with cadaver dogs. There 1,300 are still missing. Many expected to be children and elderly. Just 5 bodies have confirmed identification of remains. Identification will be a long and difficult process. Locals have said that Island Alert Sirens did not sound. “Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, says a review of warning systems will take place” SOURCE: ( https://dnyuz.com/2023/08/11/hawaiis-governor-orders-a-review-of-whether-warning-systems-worked-properly/ )

Residents have said water supplies were shut-off while they were fighting the wildfires. Tourism, Hawaii’s largest industry and lifeblood of its economy also contributed to the catastrophe by draining coastal wetlands and drawing down the Island's water supply. “There was just no water in the hydrants,” Keahi Ho, a firefighter who was on duty in Lahaina, told the New York Times.

The Hawaiian Electric Co. has indicted faulty equipment and downed charged power lines may have been a source of fire. The power company is facing intense criticism for not shutting off power when strong winds (forecast gale force ~ 45 mph) swept over an area under high risk for fire. "Hawaiian Electric shares plummet 40% after Maui wildfires lawsuit"

SOURCE: ( https://www.msn.com/enus/money/companies/hawaiian-electric-shares-plummet-40-after-maui-wildfires-lawsuit/ar-AA1fjnXy )

“The fire danger from passing hurricanes in Hawaii was documented in a 2020 report by researchers at the University of Hawaii and the East-West Center, which tied a 2018 outbreak of fires on both Maui and Oahu to winds from Hurricane Lane.”

Others possible sources of ignition are more common lightening strikes, and from afar at “the fringe” a suggestion of DEW (Directed Energy Weapons) strike as source. The US Space Force 15th Space Surveillance Squadron operates the Maui Space Surveillance Complex at the 10,023 foot-summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii. SOURCE: MAUI SPACE SURVEILLANCE COMPLEX https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Maui-Hawaii/

“Hawaii Officials Were Warned Years Ago (2014) That Maui’s Lahaina Faced High Wildfire Risks” By Dan Frosch and Jim Carlton. SOURCE: ( https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hawaii-officials-were-warned-years-ago-that-mauis-lahaina-faced-high-wildfire-risk/ar-AA1fa4B0 )

“It’s just really frustrating and heartbreaking to see that some things could have been done said Elizabeth Pickett, author of 2014 report wildfire-protection plan for the area was written by the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a nonprofit that works with government agencies”

“It warned that Lahaina was among Maui’s most fire-prone areas because of its proximity to parched grasslands, steep terrain and frequent winds. The plan, which involved Maui and state officials, laid out a multitude of mitigation measures that needed to be undertaken to shield the area around Lahaina from fires”

“Some of the recommendations from the 2014 plan, devised after more than a half-dozen community meetings were implemented, like brush thinning efforts and public education for landowners, said report’s lead author, Elizabeth Pickett. But others, such as ramping up emergency-response capacity, have been stymied by a lack of funding, logistical hurdles in rugged terrain and competing priorities, said Pickett, co-executive director of the wildfire nonprofit”

Gov. Josh Green has said “1,000 hotel rooms are being used to house residents who lost their homes and first responders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, while some hotels will continue normal business to help sustain the local economy”

Continuing prayers are requested for strength and peace of minf for Maui and Lahaina residents, families and associates still awaiting news on missing loved ones.

Stay Alert out there, and watch out for one another. Links to some centers for relief efforts.

? HAWAII FIRES: HONOLULU (KHON2) Trusted organizations you can donate to for Maui relief https://www.khon2.com/hawaii-fires/trusted-organizations-you-can-donate-to-for-maui-relief/

? Maui relief fund at Regenerative Education Centers (REC) https://www.recenters.org/

? The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF): Maui Strong Fund https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund

? Ama OluKai Foundation: The sustainable footwear company OluKai, a certified B-corp, has a decade-long history of supporting the Hawaiian community through its Ama OluKai Foundation Matching Donations https://olukai.com/products/maui-fire-relief-fund