THE LĀHAINĀ WILDFIRES

January 2nd, 2024- A Hawaiian shareholder has launched a derivative lawsuit against the company’s leadership, including current and former executives and board members. Filed in federal court in California late last year, the lawsuit accuses these leaders of misrepresenting their management of safety and climate change risks. This misrepresentation came to light after a devastating wildfire in August, suspected to have been caused by the utility’s power lines.

September 29, 2023- On Monday, certain residents of Lahaina will gain access to their neighborhoods, providing them with the opportunity to inspect the remains of their homes. This access comes after a period of six weeks during which the town center of Lahaina, situated on the western coast of Maui, has been restricted from entry. The area was cordoned off, and National Guard personnel were deployed to oversee the containment, facilitating firefighting efforts, hazard assessment, and cleanup operations following the devastating wildfires that swept through parts of Maui on August 8. This tragic event resulted in the loss of at least 97 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest disasters in the nation’s history.

The initial neighborhood to be reopened lies at the far western border of the burnt region, positioned between downtown Lahaina and the resort district of Ka’anapali. As safety assessments progress and more areas are determined to be secure, additional neighborhoods will follow suit, allowing residents with proof of residency to obtain re-entry permits and return to their homes.

September 6th, 2023- In a lawsuit filed in Hawaii state court, Maui County is accused of being responsible for a woman’s death during the Lahaina fire last month. The lawsuit alleges that the county’s failure to sound sirens and warn residents about the imminent danger prevented the woman from escaping. This legal action holds both county and state governments accountable in the wake of the deadliest U.S. fire in more than a century.

August 24th, 2023- The County of Maui lodged a civil lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, alleging negligence in causing a fire. Hawaiian Electric is accused of not shutting off power on August 7th despite a red flag warning from the National Weather Service. The lawsuit also asserts that the company neglected safety maintenance and upgrades on its power grid infrastructure.

August 23rd, 2023- More than 1,100 are still missing in Maui with the official death toll at 115. Residents and government officials demand answers after a visit from President Biden and promises of building back stronger.

August 19th, 2023- As four active fire regions continue to burn, media attention turns towards video evidence of potential downed power lines that appeared active and emitting sparks.

August 17th, 2023- Nine days after initial flareups, the Upcountry fire is 85% contained and the Lahaina fire is 90% contained.

August 15th, 2023- Today marks the initiation of the initial civil lawsuit, where Hawaiian Electric utility company is accused of negligence in causing or contributing to the Maui wildfires. The lawsuit, filed by five Lahaina residents, attributes the wildfire to Hawaiian Electric’s purported lapses in maintaining its power grid and failure to deactivate power lines at risk of collapse.

August 12th, 2023- The PDC and FEMA release a damage assessment map showing over 2,170 acres burned and an early estimate of over 2,200 structures destroyed. Confirmed fatalities were at 67 with thousands still missing or unaccounted for.

August 10th, 2023- With each of the active fires partially contained, emergency responders prioritize search and rescue efforts, which are hampered by a lack of radio and cell signals across the island.

August 9th, 2023, 12:00 AM- The Hawaii National Guard is deployed across Maui as fires burn out of control. An estimated 14,000 residents were without power.

August 8th, 2023 3:30 PM- A flare-up on the Western coast of Lahaina prompts evacuations and road closures. A shelter-in-place advisory is issued for parts of the territory as roads become impassable. Central regions of Maui also see numerous flareups.

August 8th, 2023, 6:00AM- A secondary brush fire erupts in central Maui and fire officials declare it 100% contained by 9:00 AM. The Lahaina fire does not appear on radar at this point. A weather advisory is issued around the same time for increased wind speeds and increased risk of fire.

August 8th, 2023, 12:00 AM- A brush fire ignites in Maui’s Upcountry region and quickly spreads due to ideal conditions for fire.

August 7th, 2023- With hurricane Dora churning in the Pacific and a high pressure system moving in from the north, the island of Maui, Hawaii was under a strong wind advisory.

July 2023- Many parts of the island of Maui was under a drought with a two-category decrease in average rainfall for the months of May, June, and July 2023. Locally, government warnings were issued for increased chances of brush fires.