re: Wildfires on Maui Island - Evacuations - People Fleeing into Ocean

Awful. Was there in late June. Can’t believe leheina is gone.

LINK

Guys trying to evacuate drive past a woman on the ground leaving her behind.

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What happens to agricultural land that isn’t responsibly maintained?
It turns to kindling.

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This is all really a disheartening tale of the human relationship with Nature.

The native habitat and ecosystems of that island were destroyed to progress agriculture and tourism. The only plan and longterm goal was to grow crops and bring visitors, and whatever was necessary was done to that end. No thought was given to the impacts or the real cost. Dry forests that dominated the area were cleared and the ecosystems went with them.

Add in the importing of non-native species that thrive on wildfire into an area not suited for such, and anything left was strangled out because it couldn't compete. As agricultural land fell into disuse any incentive to keep those invasives in check went away. They gained an even greater foothold.

This area does not have a fire cycle like our prairies and forests in the contiguous states. It just doesn't exist. We introduced the species that thrive on fire and burn with ease and gave them perfect conditions to grow. Coupled with neglect, fire was inevitable.

This fire didn't happen out of the blue. It wasn't a surprise to many people. Warnings have been made for longer than any of us will probably ever know. They were ignored by most, and those who listened could only do so much.

This disaster was man-made, mind you, there's no question about that. The debate becomes how you believe man made it. That's where I believe too many are missing the mark. Using this disaster to drive fear and emotion around climate change is doing nothing but distracting from the real problems.

Im at DFW airport heading back home to Maui. I was in Houston for a job interview and woke up to 38 text messages from my men’s Bible study group, plus messages from my wife, who has been in Japan with the kids visiting family, stating that Front Street was gone.

Up until 3 weeks ago I worked at the 41,000 acre farm in the Central Valley between Kihei, Upcountry, the airport, Kahului, etc. It is a new company that came into being after the last sugar plantation folded, which I also worked at. Story for another time, but I finally got tired of the dysfunction with this new company. This farm has its own electric grid and network of well pumps and that’s what I managed. Even though my team and I were vital to the operation of the farm, was a pretty marginalized role, being managed by Bay Area farmers that were more incentivized by acres planted than thinking about all of the things that go into making the farm work - you know, like irrigation. But I gave warnings as we entered dry season about maintaining their fire breaks on the undeveloped fields. They weren’t always listened to. Was part of those 2019 and 2020 wildfires, shutting off power to parts of our electric grid as the fire dept needed. One point on that, one of the fires made national news and they said Oprah opened her road to for evacuees. She indeed did not do that.

One problem with the uncultivated land is the constant bitching about dust control. So landowners face hefty fines if they really mow their land and then fugitive dust causes complaints.

So anyway, after this interview in Houston I was gonna chill with my parents in Gulfport MS, after all I’m in between jobs and family is out of the country. But, after seeing all the need for help, have cut the trip short to see how I can lend a hand. I’ve already learned a friend that grew up in Lahaina lost his home but he, his wife; and 2 kids are thankfully safe. Can’t wait to land so I can get to work where needed

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The reach of this joint always amazes me. I hope all of your friends and coworkers are okay.

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Thanks. Just met a guy wearing a Cajun Navy shirt while boarding. Looks like they’ve made contact with people out there on how to help. Traded numbers in case they need an extra hand. I’ll see what and where to go once can assess the situation on the ground

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What happens to agricultural land that isn’t responsibly maintained?
It turns to kindling.

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Was Oprah's land properly maintained?

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Was Oprah's land properly maintained?

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iirc her crib is sw of Kihei? pretty close to the newest lava flow? if so she is probably out of the danger zone

SW of Kihei is the ocean.

Her land is southeast of Kihei

Death toll is now at 93 and is expected to keep climbing. They've only been able to identify a very small number of the dead so far. I can't imagine what the search and recovery people are going through with this one.