- Inferno in Paradise: Anniversary of the deadly fires on Maui
Flags in the U.S. state of Hawaii are flying at half-mast. In memory of the victims of the inferno a year ago, surfers and kayakers are paddling out in a "Paddle Out" off the coast of Maui. Numerous events are planned in the tourist paradise to pay tribute to the 102 dead.
On August 8, 2023, fires broke out at several locations on Maui and the neighboring island of Hawaii. In terms of the number of victims, they were the most devastating forest and bush fires in the USA in over 100 years. The once picturesque coastal town of Lahaina on the west coast of Maui was almost completely destroyed. Eyewitnesses described apocalyptic scenes.
People jumped into the sea to escape the rapidly spreading flames. Clogged roads became a deadly trap. Over 2,200 buildings burned down, thousands were left homeless, and the damage is estimated at over five billion dollars.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported at the end of July that over 300,000 tons of debris and 3,000 burned-out cars had been removed. Now, almost a year after the fires, the first building permits are being issued in Lahaina.
Just before the anniversary of the fire disaster, Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced a "historic" settlement of over four billion dollars to compensate the victims. This is intended to settle over 450 lawsuits from affected individuals and companies. A court still needs to approve this.
A significant portion of the funds will be paid by the energy company Hawaiian Electric. The power supplier was accused, among other things, of negligence for not proactively turning off power lines during extreme weather conditions with strong winds and increased fire risk.
Fewer tourists on Maui
While Lahaina was heavily affected, other parts of Maui were largely spared from the flames. However, the entire tourist paradise has suffered damage, and visitor numbers have decreased. According to the tourism authority, 22 percent fewer tourists visited Maui in June 2024 compared to June of the previous year - before the fire.
When U.S. President Joe Biden visited the disaster area about two weeks after the fire, he spoke of "overwhelming" destruction during a walk through the ruins of Lahaina. The over 150-year-old Banyan tree, a famous landmark of the coastal city, stood out from the charred backdrop.
The heat of the fire severely affected the iconic tree, with almost half of its branches dying, according to official reports. However, there are now green leaves to be seen - at least partially, this tourist attraction has recovered.
The anniversary of the devastating forest fires in Maui and Hawaii is approaching, marked by the lowering of flags in Hawaii. Back in 2023, Lahaina, a town on the west coast of Maui, was severely impacted by these fires, causing over 2,200 buildings to burn down and leaving many homeless.
