Episode 30: Responding to the Lahaina tragedy
This episode of the One O'ahu Podcast was recorded on Maui, to hear from agencies responding to the devastating fires in Lahaina. The State of Hawai‘i's Department of Defense Public Affairs Director, Jeff Hickman, joins host Brandi Higa to discuss recovery efforts in the Lahaina disaster zone and some of the questions coming in from affected residents. Finally, John Heggie of the California Department of Forestry explains his department's role on the Valley Isle right now and the next phase of recovery in Lahaina.
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Tragedy on Maui
September 8, 2023 marked one month since a deadly fire tore through Lahaina on the island of Maui. In a statewide address, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green confirmed that the number of people still unaccounted for on September 8, dropped to 66 individuals. On September 1, the number was at 285. Of the 115 confirmed lives claimed in the Lahaina fire, Governor Green said 50 of those individuals remained unidentified.
Unprecedented Help
With the Emergency Operation Center activated, dozens of agencies had representatives stationed on Maui weeks after the devastating fires. One of those individuals is the State of Hawaii's Department of Defense Public Affairs Director, Jeff Hickman. Hickman, who grew up on Maui, explains the tremendous difficulty that has come with this assignment.
“The word ‘unprecedented’ gets thrown around a lot,” explained Hickman. “The fire was unprecedented. The response and the devastation, unprecedented. The aloha shown to survivors and families who are affected, unprecedented. The amount of donations, insane. You know all of of these organizations are just working together.”
Also on this episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, Jeff Hickman goes on to describe the experiences of some of his colleagues responding in the disaster zone.
Help from the West Coast
Following the tragic fires in Lahaina, the California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire) was deployed to Maui to assist in the days following. John Heggie of Cal Fire explains the department’s role and next steps in the recovery process.
Cal Fire is just one of many agencies helping in the relief efforts on the Valley Isle. If you are looking for a way to help and are able to donate, here are some ways you can help those affected by the fires:
