“Survivors of Maui’s wildfires return home to blackened ruins as death toll rises to 67.”
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).
Survivors of Maui’s wildfires return home to blackened ruins as death toll rises to 67
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Blackened hulks of burned-out cars, the pavement streaked with melted and then rehardened chrome. Block after block of flattened homes and businesses. Incinerated telephone poles, and elevator shafts rising from ashy lots where apartment buildings once stood. A truck bed full of glass bottles, warped into surreal shapes by the furious heat.
Hamakua-Kohala health center, housing approved
The Leeward Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously gave a favorable recommendation for Hamakua-Kohala Health’s application for a Special Permit to establish a transitional clinic and workforce housing, including accessory structures and uses on 4.321 acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District.
Investigators say miscommunication between pilots caused United plane to drop near ocean’s surface
Federal investigators said Thursday that miscommunication between pilots led to a United Airlines jet diving within 748 feet (228 meters) of the ocean’s surface shortly after takeoff from Hawaii in December.
Hawaii County, others offer help to Maui
A task force set up by Mayor Mitch Roth to kokua Maui in its recovery from the destructive fires that swept through Lahaina and other areas of Valley Isle held its inaugural meeting Thursday afternoon.
Two Maunakea telescopes to begin dismantling process
The decommissioning of a pair of Maunakea observatories is imminent.
Ring by ring, majestic banyan tree in heart of fire-scorched Lahaina chronicles 150 years of history
For generations, the banyan tree along Lahaina town’s historic Front Street served as a gathering place, its leafy branches unfurling majestically to give shade from the Hawaiian sun. By most accounts, the sprawling tree was the heart of the oceanside community — towering more than 60 feet (18 meters) and anchored by multiple trunks that span nearly an acre.
53 people have died from the Maui wildfires, governor says, and historic Lahaina has burned down
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — A search of the wildfire devastation on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of obliterated neighborhoods and landmarks charred beyond recognition, as the death toll rose to at least 53 and survivors told harrowing tales of narrow escapes with only the clothes on their backs.
How to help our Maui ohana
When disaster hits the islands, residents of the state come together to offer assistance to their collective ohana impacted.
UPDATE: Governor says Maui death toll will rise ‘significantly’
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m.
Attorney De Lima’s estate sued by former client accused of murder
A murder defendant is suing the estate of Brian De Lima, claiming the late Hilo attorney used his position to steal money from the defendant’s bank account and from a trust set up for him.
Ransomware hackers paid in HCC case
The decision by the University of Hawaii to pay the hackers responsible for a ransomware attack on Hawaii Community College was the first such payment in state history, according to the governor’s office.
Wildfire on Maui kills at least 6, damages over 270 structures as it sweeps through historic town
KAHULUI — A wildfire tore through the heart of Maui in darkness Wednesday, reducing much of a historic town to ash and forcing people to jump into the ocean to flee the flames. At least six people died, dozens were wounded and 271 structures were damaged or destroyed.
Three brushfires still burning on the Big Island
Fire officials on Hawaii Island continued to fight and monitor three brush fires Wednesday they were battling in West Hawaii.
UPDATE: Highway 270 in Kohala reopened; evacuation orders lifted
UPDATE: 4:27 p.m.
More questions than answers
Hawaii County will have four representatives on the new Build Beyond Barriers working group, a decision-making committee for housing development projects statewide.
High winds bring fires to West Hawaii
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Hawaii County Fire Department was battling three brush fires in North and South Kohala that resulted in mandatory evacuations for several areas.
Kona coffee labelling study underway
A study is underway to determine the economic impact of requiring a minimum 51% Hawaiian coffee beans when using the regional name in blends.
Two brush fires blazing in North and South Kohala
Hawaii County Fire Department is battling two brush fires in North and South Kohala — one in the North Kohala District off Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) near Kohala Ranch and the other in the South Kohala District in Waimea.
Dora passes, but impactful weather still possible
As Hurricane Dora passes south of the Big Island today, there will be what National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Kodama described as “peripheral effects.”
9th Circuit overturns butterfly knife ban, citing Supreme Court ‘history’ standard on guns
A conservative panel of federal judges ruled Monday that a 30-year ban on butterfly knives in Hawaii is unconstitutional under the U.S. Supreme Court’s new “history and tradition” standard for reviewing the legitimacy of gun and other weapons laws nationwide.