BLOG: LAHAINA BURNS: PINEAPPLES, SUGARCANE, WEEDS & NPH

[windfind]

Hi Gang,

It is a sad day for Maui as much of the historic town of Lahaina lies in ashes. This tragedy has had a personal impact on me sent I used to dive, clearing gill nets in those waters long ago.

This blog covers some of the factors behind that fire:

https://blog.weatherflow.com/west-coast-wind-blog-lahaina-burns-a-story-of-pineapples-sugar-cane-weeds-a-hurricane-the-north-pacific-high-and-humans/

Mike
iwk

[jse]

Mike,

One additional factor you did not mention is the construction of the older buildings on and around Front Street. This was the heartbeat of Lahaina, buildings as old as the Banyan tree planted 150 years ago. Wood framed, wood construction, closely situated amongs their neighbors, probably not unlike the buildings in San Francisco that burned down after the earthquake in 1906. Of course the fire was much bigger than Front Street, but once it was overcome, it went very fast. So fast people could not outrun it and jumped into the harbor to escape.

Steve

[windfind]

[jse]

Hi Mike,

I live on the north shore, far from the fires. We seldom go to the west side - that is how life on Maui is, not unlike living anywhere else - you have your travel patterns for daily life and limit ut to that. For me it’s Kahului, Haiku for business, Kanaha to sail, Kula to visit my mother. A trip to Lahaina is kinda like a road trip for me. The Saturday before the fire it just so happened that we had to go to Olowalu to deliver some coconuts and avocados to a customer. We took the opportunity to try out Fleetwood’s in Lahaina for lunch, and per recommendation of our server stopped at a kiosk called “Vigilatte” for coffee for the “long” drive home. It was such a pleasant escape for us we vowed to return. Of course time will tell if that ever happens, but I think Lahaina will rise from the ashes just like San Francisco did, just like the Oakland hills did. My hope is that they learn from this and require mitigation for fires - underground utilities, solar panels to allow grid shutoff during high wind events, wide roads, etc…

Steve

[windfind]

I agree totally about the rebuild. But I hope they keep the old wooden character but with hardiplank and metal roofs. Plus huge solar operated salt water pumps along the waterfront and many fire hydrants.

And keep Front street populated with local shops not tourist traps.

Mike

[MalibuGuru]

My advice to the county officials. I went through the Woolsey fire. I almost died. I also have a home in Kuau/Paia.
1. Scrape all the burned lots asap. Don't allow the toxins from lead paint etc to go to the sea.
2. Cut red tape for rebuilding homes and businesses. Cut fees to zero.
3. Incentivize short term rentals to open to residents.
4. Bring the victims peace of mind by bringing in temporary building officials to expedite the rebuilding.
5. Review unnecessary building codes which cost people emotionally and financially.
Learn from Malibu officials who made many mistakes. 🤗
Aloha!!

[windfind]

Good advice MalibuGuru!

After having 2 fires close enough to my house that we had ashes on our cars I. have been busy fire hardening our property the last 2 years.

Much of Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area is in a Chaparral area where plants are full of oil and resins and burn fast and hot. They have developed a great web page about hardening all the vulnerable parts of your house and property.

https://firesafemarin.org/harden-your-home/#gsc.tab=0

Mike Godsey

[mac]

Many local governments have approved subdivisions and construction in high hazard zone--fire is the greatest, but flooding can be substantial. Many of those areas cost more to provide services than they generate in taxes. But of course the insurance industry will provide insurance--until they don't.

[fxop]

Mike -- can you comment on why the West Maui Mountains did not protect Lahaina from the supercharged trade winds? We've all driven through gale-force winds in Maalaea to find Lahaina relatively calm. What was different this time?

[windfind]