2023 Hawaii wildfires

File:U.S. Drought Monitor for Hawaii 2023-08-08.png The typical area burned by wildfires in Hawaii has increased in recent decades, almost quadrupling. Experts have blamed the increase on the spread of nonnative vegetation and hotter, drier weather due to climate change.{{Cite news |last=Fuller |first=Thomas |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Maui Town Is Devastated By Deadliest Wildfire to Strike Hawaii|newspaper=The New York Times|url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/us/hurricane-dora-hawaii-wildfires.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-date=August 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809083141/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/us/hurricane-dora-hawaii-wildfires.html/ |url-status=live}}

During the 2010s and early 2020s, Clay Trauernicht, a botanist and fire scientist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and several other experts warned that the decline of agriculture in Hawaii meant that large areas of formerly productive land had been left unmanaged; nonnative invasive species like guinea grass were spreading rapidly and increasing the risk of large wildfires.{{cite news |last1=Gomes |first1=Andrew |title=Shuttered plantations' fallow land poses huge risk of fires |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/07/13/hawaii-news/shuttered-plantations-fallow-land-poses-huge-risk-of-fires/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916150812/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/07/13/hawaii-news/shuttered-plantations-fallow-land-poses-huge-risk-of-fires/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Wessendorf |first1=Cynthia |title=Why Hawai'i's Wildfires Are Growing Bigger and More Intense |url=https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/wildfires-hawaii-invasive-plants-environmental-community-action/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Hawaii Business Magazine |date=November 11, 2022 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818220051/https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/wildfires-hawaii-invasive-plants-environmental-community-action/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Anguiano |first=Dani|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/09/hawaii-wildfires-maui-explainer |title=Hawaii wildfires: how did the deadly Maui fire start and what caused it? Rapidly moving fires that exploded on Tuesday night on the island of Maui have killed dozens and displaced thousands |work=The Guardian |date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810010137/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/09/hawaii-wildfires-maui-explainer}}{{cite news |last1=Bush |first1=Evan |title=Left unchecked, Maui's nonnative grasses turned into wildfire fuel |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/maui-wildfires-grass-overgrown-nonnative-flammable-hawaii-rcna99963 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819010831/https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/maui-wildfires-grass-overgrown-nonnative-flammable-hawaii-rcna99963 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Frosch |first1=Dan |last2=Elinson |first2=Zusha |last3=Carlton |first3=Jim |last4=Mai-Duc |first4=Christine |title=Everybody Knew the Invasive Grass of Maui Posed a Deadly Fire Threat, but Few Acted |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/climate-environment/maui-fire-invasive-grass-cf6dbca2 |access-date=August 26, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 25, 2023 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825205450/https://www.wsj.com/us-news/climate-environment/maui-fire-invasive-grass-cf6dbca2 |url-status=live }} The state government failed to provide incentives or impose mandates to keep land clear of grass. The state government also did not require all structure owners to maintain defensible space, a standard rule in fire-prone states like California.[https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=4291.&lawCode=PRC California Public Resources Code Section 4291] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330143325/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=4291.&lawCode=PRC |date=March 30, 2023 }}. The shrinking of the agricultural workforce reduced overall firefighting capacity; those workers had traditionally suppressed fires on the land they cared for, and were so effective that sometimes the counties called them for help. In 2022, Trauernicht suggested that Hawaii follow Europe's example by subsidizing agriculture as a public good as a form of fire risk reduction. In 2023, UH Manoa biogeography professor Camilo Mora estimated the cost of land restoration to mitigate wildfire risk at about $1 billion. Despite these calls to action, the Hawaii State Legislature had been unable to make much progress; a 2022 bill to spend just $1.5 million on additional fire risk reduction measures died in a legislative committee.

Around the time the fires occurred, twenty percent of the county of Maui was experiencing moderate drought (level 1 of 4), and sixteen percent of the county was under severe drought conditions (level 2 of 4).{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Judson |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Hawaii Wildfires: Update from Judson Jones|newspaper=The New York Times|url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/10/us/wildfires-maui-hawaii |access-date=August 10, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810082111/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/10/us/wildfires-maui-hawaii |url-status=live}} A decrease in rainfall consistent with the predicted impacts of climate change had also been recorded in the Hawaiian Islands, according to the U.S. National Climate Assessment.{{Cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Rachel |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Why did the Maui fire spread so fast? Drought, nonnative species and climate change among possible reasons |publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/us/climate-change-reason-maui-fire/index.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810041737/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/us/climate-change-reason-maui-fire/index.html |url-status=live }} In the decades leading up to the fire, overdevelopment practices led to further water management challenges that reduced the availability of water for firefighting and exacerbated drought conditions.{{Cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Naomi |last2=Sproat |first2=Kapuaʻala |date=2023-08-17 |title=Why was there no water to fight the fire in Maui? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/hawaii-fires-maui-water-rights-disaster-capitalism |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819034559/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/hawaii-fires-maui-water-rights-disaster-capitalism |url-status=live }}

In June 2014, the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a nonprofit organization, prepared a Western Maui Community Wildfire Protection Plan which warned that most of the Lahaina area was at extremely high risk for burning.{{cite news |last1=Frosch |first1=Dan |last2=Carlton |first2=Jim |title=Hawaii Officials Were Warned Years Ago That Maui's Lahaina Faced High Wildfire Risk |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hawaii-maui-fire-risks-plans-government-e883f3a3 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811230402/https://www.wsj.com/articles/hawaii-maui-fire-risks-plans-government-e883f3a3 |url-status=live }} All times are from the infographic included in the cited article.{{cite book |last1=Pickett |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Grossman |first2=Ilene |title=Western Maui Community Wildfire Protection Plan |date=2014 |publisher=Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization |location=Kamuela, Hawaii |page=55 |url=https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/files/2023/08/Western-Maui-CWPP14.pdf |access-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815092234/https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/files/2023/08/Western-Maui-CWPP14.pdf |url-status=live }}

In Maui County's 2020 Hazard Mitigation Plan, the county identified Lahaina, the most heavily impacted community in the August fires, as lying within a high risk zone for wildfire.{{Cite report |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/125977/2020-Maui-County-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-Final |title=Hazard Mitigation Plan Update |last=Maui Emergency Management Agency |date=August 2020 |publisher=County of Maui, Hawai'i |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812155151/https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/125977/2020-Maui-County-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-Final |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{rp|page=|quote="The national PL remained at five through September 20, spanning 68 days, which is the longest period since PL record keeping began in 1990."|pages=481–522}}

In its monthly seasonal outlook on August 1, 2023, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) forecast "above normal" potential for significant wildland fires for Hawaii in August, concentrated on the islands' leeward sides. In addition to noting plentiful vegetation growth from the previous wet season and the expanding drought, the NIFC mentioned that "tropical cyclones can also bring windy and dry conditions depending on how they approach the island chain and can exacerbate fire growth potential".{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2023 |title=National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook: Outlook Period – August through November 2023|url=https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=National Interagency Fire Center |archive-date=August 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804020953/https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf |url-status=live }}{{rp|page=|quote="The national PL remained at five through September 20, spanning 68 days, which is the longest period since PL record keeping began in 1990."|pages=1, 2, 7}}

The vulnerability of the islands to deadly wildfires was gravely underestimated in long term assessments. A year prior, the State of Hawaii Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Report had detailed wildfire risks as one of the lowest threats for the state.{{Cite web |date=February 2022 |title=State of Hawai'i Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan - Base Plan |url=https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2022/03/Hawaii-State-CEMP-FEB-2022.pdf |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210180827/https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2022/03/Hawaii-State-CEMP-FEB-2022.pdf |url-status=live }} A 2021 Maui County assessment acknowledged the spike of wildfires in the state, but described funds as "inadequate" and heavily criticized the county fire department's strategic plan, claiming it said "nothing about what can and should be done to prevent fires."{{Cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Isabelle |last2=Chapman |first2=Scott |last3=Bronstein |first3=Casey |last4=Tolan |first4=Allison |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Hawaii underestimated the deadly threat of wildfire, records show |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/us/hawaii-wildfire-threat-invs/index.html |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812205922/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/us/hawaii-wildfire-threat-invs/index.html |url-status=live }}

File:2023 Hawaii fire locations, along with wind velocities and labels.png

In early August 2023, a high-pressure system remained north of the Hawaiian Islands. This formed strong surface pressure north of the islands, and also sustained stabilization across the region, creating warm and sunny conditions. Concurrently, Hurricane Dora began to intensify to Category 4 strength, which helped to create a large pressure difference between the high-pressure area and the low-pressure cyclone.{{cite web |last=O’Leary |first=Maureen |title=2023 Atlantic hurricane season ranks 4th for most-named storms in a year |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=November 28, 2023 |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-ranks-4th-for-most-named-storms-in-year |access-date=November 28, 2023 |quote=The strong gradient between a high pressure system to the north and Dora to the south was a contributing factor to the wind-driven, fast-moving wildfires in Hawaii.}} This pressure difference aided in already significant trade winds moving southwest, and formed strong gradient winds over the islands.{{Cite news |last1=Iati |first1=Marisa |last2=Dance |first2=Scott |last3=Hassan |first3=Jennifer |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Wildfires burning in Hawaii, fanned by intense winds, force evacuations |newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/08/09/hawaii-wildfires-maui-lahaina-dora/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 9, 2023 |archive-date=August 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809210121/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/08/09/hawaii-wildfires-maui-lahaina-dora/}} (A similar phenomenon occurred during the October 2017 Portugal wildfires during the passage of Hurricane Ophelia.){{Cite journal |last1=Ramos |first1=Alexandre M. |last2=Russo |first2=Ana |last3=DaCamara |first3=Carlos C. |last4=Nunes |first4=Silvia |last5=Sousa |first5=Pedro |last6=Soares |first6=P. M. M. |last7=Lima |first7=Miguel M. |last8=Hurduc |first8=Alexandra |last9=Trigo |first9=Ricardo M. |date=March 17, 2023 |title=The compound event that triggered the destructive fires of October 2017 in Portugal |journal=iScience |language=en |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=106141 |doi=10.1016/j.isci.2023.106141 |pmid=36915678 |pmc=10006635 |bibcode=2023iSci...26j6141R |issn=2589-0042}} The exact significance of Hurricane Dora and how it impacted the fires themselves remains somewhat unclear. Meteorologists noted that the storm's center remained more than {{convert|700|miles}} from the islands and that it remained relatively small in size; however it also remained "remarkably potent for a long time", logging more hours as a Category 4 hurricane than any other storm in the Pacific for over 50 years.{{cite web |last1=Henson |first1=Bob |last2=Masters |first2=Jeff |title=What caused the deadly Hawai'i wildfires? » Yale Climate Connections |website=Yale Climate Connections |date=August 10, 2023 |url=http://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/08/what-caused-the-deadly-hawaii-wildfires/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812192946/https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/08/what-caused-the-deadly-hawaii-wildfires/ |url-status=live }} Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center, argued that Hurricane Dora played only a minor role in "enhancing low-level flow over Maui at fire initiation time."{{Cite tweet |title=Plenty of media talking #Hurricane #Dora influence on #MauiFires, so worth a deep dive quantifying overall TC impact by removing vortex. Result Dora played a *very* minor role, slightly enhancing low-level flow over Maui at fire initiation time.|user=pppapin|number=1689757464487395328 |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=Twitter|date=August 10, 2023 |language=en}}

By August 6, the National Weather Service identified a region of very dry air arriving from the East Pacific, greatly inhibiting the potential for rainfall.{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Text Products for AFD Issued by HFO |url=https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=HFO&issuedby=HFO&product=AFD&format=CI&version=27&glossary=1 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=forecast.weather.gov |language=EN-US |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813151954/https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=HFO&issuedby=HFO&product=AFD&format=CI&version=27&glossary=1 |url-status=live }} A prominent descending capping inversion forced even more stabilization of the atmosphere, which led to enhanced wind gusts and very dry conditions between August 7 and 8. As the day progressed, deep layer ridging combined with the existing pressure gradient created very strong wind gusts and caused humidity levels to be well below normal. The aforementioned cap was expected to only strengthen acceleration of wind due to terrain features near the islands.{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Text Products for AFD Issued by HFO |url=https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=HFO&issuedby=HFO&product=AFD&format=CI&version=23&glossary=1 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=forecast.weather.gov |language=EN-US |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813151956/https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=HFO&issuedby=HFO&product=AFD&format=CI&version=23&glossary=1 |url-status=live }}

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=|frame-width=220|frame-height=140|from=2023 Hawaii wildfires - VIIRS mixed.map|frame-latitude=20.8|frame-longitude=-156.5|zoom=9 |text=Perimeters of wildfires on Maui (map data)}}

File:2023 Hawaii Fires - NASA GOES Loop with highlighted areas.gifDuring the first few days of August, a multitude of minor brush fires affected the Hawaiian Islands. Multiple brush fires burned on the island of Oʻahu, stretching fire department resources, but were quickly contained by August 4. The island's south and west sides remained abnormally dry or in drought because of the fire, as well as weather conditions.{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2023 |title=2 Oahu brush fires contained after burning 250 acres |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/04/breaking-news/2-oahu-brush-fires-contained-after-burning-250-acres/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805123853/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/04/breaking-news/2-oahu-brush-fires-contained-after-burning-250-acres/ |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Multiple blazes, including 2 brush fires, keep Oahu fire crews busy |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/04/multiple-blazes-including-2-brush-fires-keep-oahu-fire-crews-busy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807134616/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/04/multiple-blazes-including-2-brush-fires-keep-oahu-fire-crews-busy/ |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |work=Hawaii News Now |language=en}}

At 5:00 a.m. HST (UTC 15:00) on August 7, the National Weather Service's office in Honolulu issued a red flag warning for the leeward portions of all the islands until the morning of August 9, highlighting that "very dry fuels combined with strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidities will produce critical fire weather conditions through Tuesday night". East winds of {{Convert|30–45|mph|km/h}} with gusts over {{Convert|60|mph|km/h}} were forecast.{{Cite web |last=NWS Honolulu |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Red Flag Warning |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWHFO&e=202308080155 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810160328/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWHFO&e=202308080155 |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Iowa Environmental Mesonet |publisher=Iowa State University}} In Maui County, officials reported gusts up to {{convert|80|mph|km/h|round=5}} in the Upcountry Maui area.{{cite news |last1=Tanji |first1=Melissa |last2=Thayer |first2=Matthew |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Maui on fire: Fierce winds fuel damaging fires in Lahaina, Upcountry |work=The Maui News |url=https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/maui-on-fire/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809180937/https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/maui-on-fire/ |archive-date=August 9, 2023}}

File:Maui wildfires 2023.jpg

On August 4, 2023, at 11:01 a.m. HST (UTC 21:01), the first of many small fires ignited on Maui. A 30-acre brush fire was reported adjacent to the Kahului Airport in a field. By 9:29 p.m. HST (UTC 07:29), the fire was reported 90% contained,[https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/04/dot-landing-operations-kahului-airport-shut-down-due-brush-fire-smoke/ Landing operations at Kahului Airport back to normal after brush fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812093343/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/04/dot-landing-operations-kahului-airport-shut-down-due-brush-fire-smoke/|date=August 12, 2023}} Hawaii News Now[https://www.khon2.com/local-news/kahului-flights-diverted-due-to-brush-fire/ Flights landing at Maui's airport while MFD fights nearby fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812093344/https://www.khon2.com/local-news/kahului-flights-diverted-due-to-brush-fire/|date=August 12, 2023}} KHON-TV{{Cite web |title=On Friday, August 4th, 2023... - Maui County Fire Department |url=https://www.facebook.com/mauifire/posts/on-friday-august-4th-2023-at-1101am-mfd-personnel-we-dispatched-to-the-report-of/688565836647484/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |via=Facebook |publisher=Maui County Fire Department |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813145857/https://www.facebook.com/mauifire/posts/on-friday-august-4th-2023-at-1101am-mfd-personnel-we-dispatched-to-the-report-of/688565836647484/ |url-status=live }} but many flights out of the airport were delayed to August 11.{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2023 |title=SFO reports Hawaii fires causing handful of flight delays - CBS San Francisco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sfo-reports-hawaii-fires-causing-handful-of-flight-delays/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812093333/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sfo-reports-hawaii-fires-causing-handful-of-flight-delays/ |url-status=live }}

On August 8, 2023, intense winds knocked down numerous utility poles. By 4:55 p.m. HST (UTC 02:55), "about 30 downed poles" had been reported on Maui, resulting in "at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers". By that time, there had been no power in some parts of West Maui since 4:50 a.m. HST (UTC 14:50).{{cite news |last1=Kalahele |first1=Kiana |date=August 8, 2023 |title=More than 30 downed power poles reported on Maui; thousands without power |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/08/strong-winds-knock-out-power-thousands-statewide/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811052633/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/08/strong-winds-knock-out-power-thousands-statewide/ |archive-date=August 11, 2023}}

The first significant fire of the event was reported at 12:22 a.m. HST (UTC 10:30) on August 8 near Olinda Road in the community of Kula, in Upcountry Maui.{{Cite news |last=Sacks |first=Brianna |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Hawaii utility faces scrutiny for not cutting power to reduce fire risks |newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/12/maui-fire-electric-utility/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812194933/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/12/maui-fire-electric-utility/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023}} Evacuations of nearby residents were announced beginning at 3:43 a.m. (UTC 13:43).{{Cite web |title=Fire Department advising immediate proactive evacuation of residents of Pi'iholo and Olinda roads |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12629 |url-status=live |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui |quote=With the potential risk of escalating conditions from an Upcountry brush fire, the Fire Department is strongly advising residents of Piʻiholo and Olinda roads to proactively evacuate. |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812204642/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12629 }}{{Cite web |title=County of Maui - Shortly after midnight this morning a... |url=https://www.facebook.com/countyofmaui/posts/shortly-after-midnight-this-morning-a-brushfire-started-in-kula-homes-in-the-aul/671097821714834/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui |via=Facebook |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813144125/https://www.facebook.com/countyofmaui/posts/shortly-after-midnight-this-morning-a-brushfire-started-in-kula-homes-in-the-aul/671097821714834/ |url-status=live }} As of August 9, the fire had burned approximately {{convert|1000|acre|ha}}. Approximately 544 structures were exposed, 96% of which were residential,{{Cite Instagram|postid=Cv1_At7xB4_|user=countyofmaui|title=The Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the following damage assessment maps from multiple wildfires in Maui County.|date=March 12, 2023|author=County of Maui}} and 16 burned.{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Mike |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Hawaii Wildfires: Update from Mike Baker |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/13/us/maui-wildfires-hawaii-news/7ae6a292-ad75-57a6-a1d5-831a8844b4c0 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813105207/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/13/us/maui-wildfires-hawaii-news/7ae6a292-ad75-57a6-a1d5-831a8844b4c0 |url-status=live }} Concurrent electrical grid sensor data and security camera footage reported by The Washington Post indicate that a downed power line, hit by a tree, may have caused this fire.{{Cite news |last=Sacks |first=Brianna |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Power lines likely caused Maui's first reported fire, video and data show |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/15/maui-fires-power-line-cause/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815220255/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/15/maui-fires-power-line-cause/ |archive-date=August 15, 2023}}

File:Maui-fire-1.jpg

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=|frame-width=200|frame-height=250|from=2023 Lahaina Fire.map|frame-latitude=20.873|frame-longitude=-156.67|zoom=12|text=Perimeter of Lāhainā Fire (map data)}}

The most significant fire of the complex of events began from a brush fire ignited in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8.{{Cite news |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Maxouris |first2=Christina |last3=Jackson |first3=Amanda |last4=Lynch |first4=Jamiel |date=August 9, 2023 |title='It's apocalyptic': People jump into the ocean to flee Maui wildfires as patients overwhelm hospitals and 911 gets cut off |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/weather/maui-county-wildfires-hurricane-dora/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809190631/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/weather/maui-county-wildfires-hurricane-dora/index.html |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Sinco Kelleher |first1=Jennifer|last2=McAvoy |first2=Audrey |last3=Weber |first3=Christopher |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Wildfire on Maui kills at least 6, damages over 270 structures as it sweeps through historic town |url=https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-maui-dora-winds-ec23c16abfbeb6ba689f1a98263720db |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809165505/https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-maui-dora-winds-ec23c16abfbeb6ba689f1a98263720db |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press}}{{Cite news |date=August 15, 2023 |title=How Fire Turned Lahaina Into a Death Trap |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-lahaina-fire.html |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815094211/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-lahaina-fire.html/ |url-status=live |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Kovaleski |first2=Serge F. |last3=Hubler |first3=Shawn |last4=Mellen |first4=Riley }} During the early morning hours of August 8, significant straight-line winds began to impact the town of Lahaina.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-15 |title=How Fire Turned Lahaina Into a Death Trap |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-lahaina-fire.html |access-date=2023-08-21 |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Kovaleski |first2=Serge F. |last3=Hubler |first3=Shawn |last4=Mellen |first4=Riley |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816031708/http://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-lahaina-fire.html |url-status=live }} Peak wind gusts that exceeded {{Convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=out}} began to cause minor damage to homes and buildings in Lahaina, and subsequently, a power pole was snapped along Lahainaluna Road, across the street from the Lahaina Intermediate School near the northeast side of town.

A {{Convert|3|acre|ha|adj=on|spell=in}} brush fire was reported at 6:37 a.m. HST (UTC 16:37) as the downed power line sparked flames to dry grass near the road.{{Cite news |last1=DiFeliciantonio |first1=Chase |last2=Parker |first2=Jordan |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Maui fire: Questions raised if officials reacted quickly enough to save residents |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/maui-fire-officials-focused-kula-blaze-lahaina-18290841.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812193426/https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/maui-fire-officials-focused-kula-blaze-lahaina-18290841.php |archive-date=August 12, 2023}} Evacuations were ordered minutes later in the areas around Lahaina Intermediate School. Maui County Fire Department immediately responded, and by 9:00 a.m HST (UTC 19:00), the fire was announced fully contained.{{cite web |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Lahaina fire declared 100% contained; water conservation urged due to power outages |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12622 |publisher=County of Maui |quote=Maui Fire Department declared the Lahaina brush fire 100% contained shortly before 9 a.m. today. |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813003108/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12622 |url-status=deviated }}

As wind gusts continued to batter the town, the fire was thought to have been extinguished.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/us/lahaina-maui-fire-atf-investigation.html |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Lahaina Inferno Emerged From Smoldering Remnants of Quelled Fire |author1=Mike Baker |author2=Glenn Thrush |date=October 2, 2024}} By 3:30 p.m. HST (UTC 01:30), the fire had flared up again, and forced the closure of Lahaina Bypass (Route 3000), with more evacuations nearby following.{{Cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Rong-Gong|last2=Petri|first2=Alexandra E.|last3=Winton|first3=Richard|date=August 11, 2023|title=Chaos and terror: Failed communications left Maui residents trapped by fire. Scores died|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-08-11/failed-communication-and-huge-death-toll-in-maui-fires|access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812073154/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-08-11/failed-communication-and-huge-death-toll-in-maui-fires |archive-date=August 12, 2023|url-status=live}} Residents on the west side of town received instructions to shelter in place.

File:Lahaina fire - 8 august.jpg photograph of Lahaina on the night of August 8 to 9 from South Maui — the curved streaks are star trails, not embers]]

The wildfire rapidly grew in both size and intensity. Wind gusts pushed the flames through the northeastern region of the community, where dense neighborhoods were.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Maui fire timeline and warnings: Forecast through engulfment |url=https://www.khon2.com/always-investigating/maui-fire-timeline-and-warnings-forecast-through-engulfment/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822024829/https://www.khon2.com/always-investigating/maui-fire-timeline-and-warnings-forecast-through-engulfment/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Maui Hawaii Fire Imagery |url=https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/2023_hawaii/index.html#14.73/20.87312/-156.67674 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=storms.ngs.noaa.gov |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814165120/https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/2023_hawaii/index.html#14.73/20.87312/-156.67674 |url-status=live }} Hundreds of homes burned in a matter of minutes, and residents identifying the danger attempted to flee in vehicles while surrounded by flames.{{Citation |title=Video shows family's terrifying escape from Maui wildfires {{!}} CNN |date=August 12, 2023 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/08/12/maui-fire-residents-escape-tiktok-ocean-cnntmw-vpx.cnn |access-date=August 14, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814164057/https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/08/12/maui-fire-residents-escape-tiktok-ocean-cnntmw-vpx.cnn |url-status=live }} As time progressed, the fire moved southwest and downslope towards the Pacific coast and Kahoma neighborhood. Firefighters were repeatedly stymied in their attempts to defend structures by failing water pressure in fire hydrants; as the melting pipes in burning homes leaked, the network lost pressure despite the presence of working backup generators.{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Mike |last2=Browning |first2=Kellen |last3=Bogel-Burroughs |first3=Nicholas |date=August 13, 2023 |title=As Inferno Grew, Lahaina's Water System Collapsed |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/13/us/lahaina-water-failure.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814005606/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/13/us/lahaina-water-failure.html |url-status=live }}

At 4:46 p.m. HST (UTC 02:46), the fire reportedly crossed Honoapiʻilani Highway (Hawaii Route 30) and entered the main part of Lahaina, forcing residents to self-evacuate with little or no notice. At this time, bumper-to-bumper traffic developed. By 5:45 p.m. HST (UTC 03:45), the fire had reached the shoreline, when the United States Coast Guard first learned of people jumping into the ocean at Lahaina to escape the fire. Survivors later recalled getting trapped in a traffic jam and realizing they needed to go into the water when cars around them either caught fire or exploded.{{cite news |last1=Samuel |first1=Henry |title=Exploding cars and bodies in the harbour: How Hawaii's inferno chased holidaymakers into the sea |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/11/hawaii-wildfires-deaths-tourists-maui-harbour/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |work=The Telegraph |date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813020121/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/11/hawaii-wildfires-deaths-tourists-maui-harbour/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Slater |first1=Joanna |title=After 5 hours in ocean, Maui fire survivor feels 'blessed to be alive' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/12/maui-fire-survivor-lahaina-hawaii/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814065358/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/12/maui-fire-survivor-lahaina-hawaii/ |url-status=live }}

Officials said that civil defense sirens were not activated during the fire even though Hawaii has the world's largest integrated outdoor siren warning system, with over 80 sirens on Maui alone meant to be used in cases of natural disasters.{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Ray |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Hawaii has a robust emergency siren warning system. It sat silent during the deadly wildfires |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/us/hawaii-emergency-warning-system-maui-wildfires/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813065040/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/us/hawaii-emergency-warning-system-maui-wildfires/index.html }} Several residents later told journalists that they had received no warning and did not know what was happening until they encountered smoke or flames.{{cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Albeck-Ripka |first2=Livia |last3=Mayorquin |first3=Orlando |title=Some in Lahaina Say Maui Fires Reached Them Before Evacuation Orders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/us/lahaina-maui-fires-evacuation-orders.html |access-date=August 12, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812003429/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/us/lahaina-maui-fires-evacuation-orders.html |url-status=live}} There had been no power or communications in Lahaina for much of the day, and authorities issued a confusing series of social media alerts which reached a small audience.{{cite web |author1=Rebecca Boone |author2=Jennifer Sinco Kelleher |author3=Audrey Mcavoy-Associated Press |date=August 15, 2023 |title=In deadly Maui wildfires, communication failed. Chaos overtook Lahaina along with the flames |url=https://www.kitv.com/news/lahaina/in-deadly-maui-wildfires-communication-failed-chaos-overtook-lahaina-along-with-the-flames/article_9f9c94a5-4945-56a9-92df-99ddabec825b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816110104/https://www.kitv.com/news/lahaina/in-deadly-maui-wildfires-communication-failed-chaos-overtook-lahaina-along-with-the-flames/article_9f9c94a5-4945-56a9-92df-99ddabec825b.html |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=KITV Island News}}

The death toll stood at 67 on August 11, but that number reflected only victims found outside buildings, because local authorities had waited for FEMA to send its specialized personnel to search building interiors. According to federal officials, many of the victims found outside "were believed to have died in their vehicles".{{Cite news |last1=Petri |first1=Alexandra E. |last2=Winton |first2=Richard |last3=Dolan |first3=Jack |last4=Kaleem |first4=Jaweed |last5=Lin |first5=Summer |title=Death toll in Maui fires rises to 67, expected to climb |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 11, 2023 |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-08-11/maui-wildfires-lahaina-fire-death-toll |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812004355/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-08-11/maui-wildfires-lahaina-fire-death-toll |url-status=live }} The fire burned {{Convert|2170|acre|ha}} of land. PDC and FEMA estimated that 2,207 buildings had been destroyed, with a total of 2,719 exposed to the fires, and set the damage estimate at $5.52 billion as of August 11. The next day, Governor Josh Green announced the damage was close to $6 billion.{{Cite news |last1=Rush |first1=Claire |last2=Dupuy |first2=Beatrice |last3=Sinco Kelleher|first3=Jennifer |date=August 12, 2023 |title=As death toll from Maui fire reaches 93, authorities say effort to count the losses is just starting |url=https://apnews.com/article/maui-hawaii-lahaina-deadliest-wildfire-fb2ebf6cd39c149a582b82eed6ac3930|access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813104021/https://apnews.com/article/maui-hawaii-lahaina-deadliest-wildfire-fb2ebf6cd39c149a582b82eed6ac3930|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Losses from West Maui fire approach an estimated $6 billion, Hawaii governor says |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hawaii-maui-wildfires-08-12-23/h_103422b391a34a9394427f666f3d94d1 |access-date=August 14, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814143034/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hawaii-maui-wildfires-08-12-23/h_103422b391a34a9394427f666f3d94d1 |url-status=live }} Many historic structures were destroyed, including Waiola Church and Pioneer Inn.{{Cite news|last1=Schaefers |first1=Allison |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Century-old Pioneer Inn among property casualties of West Maui wildfires|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/century-old-pioneer-inn-among-property-casualties-of-west-maui-wildfires/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810100604/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/century-old-pioneer-inn-among-property-casualties-of-west-maui-wildfires/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023}} 86% of burned structures in Lāhaina were residential.

{{As of|2023|8|11|df=US|alt=As of August 12}}, at least 93 people had been confirmed dead in and around Lahaina{{cite news |date=August 12, 2023 |title=VIDEO: Lahaina fire fatalities rise to 93; Green said toll will 'continue to climb' |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/12/breaking-news/upcoming-livestream/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813082938/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/12/breaking-news/upcoming-livestream/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023}} with only 3% of the area searched.{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Hawaii Wildfires: The Latest Developments on Maui |url=https://www.honolulumagazine.com/latest-hawaii-wildfires/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813042912/https://www.honolulumagazine.com/latest-hawaii-wildfires/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Honolulu Magazine}}{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Maui fires live updates: Death toll rises as search for missing goes on |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/maui-fires-live-updates-hawaii-death-toll-missing-search-rescue-rcna99570 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813023139/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/maui-fires-live-updates-hawaii-death-toll-missing-search-rescue-rcna99570 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=NBC News}} The number of dead was expected to rise further as FEMA search-and-rescue specialists searched the interiors of burned-down buildings. Very few victims had been identified.{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2023 |title='Indescribable grief': Loved ones identify family of 4 killed while fleeing Lahaina wildfire |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/13/indescribable-grief-loved-ones-identify-family-4-killed-while-fleeing-lahaina-wildfire/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=Hawaii News Now |language= |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813045220/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/13/indescribable-grief-loved-ones-identify-family-4-killed-while-fleeing-lahaina-wildfire/ }}{{Cite news |last=Yamamura |first=Kevin |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Hawaii Wildfires: Update from Kevin Yamamura |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/12/us/maui-wildfires-hawaii-news/0546afad-81c2-52ee-bb4e-bce318d275db?smid=url-share |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813033455/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/08/12/us/maui-wildfires-hawaii-news/0546afad-81c2-52ee-bb4e-bce318d275db?smid=url-share |url-status=live }}

{{As of|2023|8|24|df=US|alt=By August 24}}, with 100% of the single-story, residential properties searched of the disaster area, 115 casualties had been confirmed with an additional 388 people missing.{{Cite web|title=8/24 County of Maui Wildfire Disaster Update|website=County of Maui|date=24 August 2023|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12762|access-date=31 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829045956/http://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12762|archive-date=29 August 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Maui releases list of hundreds reported missing after Lahaina fire |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/25/maui-releases-list-hundreds-people-unaccounted-after-lahaina-fire/ |website=Hawaii News Now |date=August 25, 2023 |publisher=HNN Staff |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826020117/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/25/maui-releases-list-hundreds-people-unaccounted-after-lahaina-fire/ |archive-date=August 26, 2023}} {{As of|2023|9|7|df=US|alt=On September 7}} officials reported that 99% of the area had been searched, with the death toll unchanged at 115 and the missing count reduced to 110.{{Cite web|title=MPD Requests Public To File Unaccounted For Missing Person Report|date=4 September 2023|website=County of Maui|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12809|access-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908065624/http://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12809|archive-date=8 September 2023|url-status=deviated}} The disaster area remained restricted to authorized personnel due to unstable structures, exposed electrical wires, and potentially toxic ash and debris. The following day, the missing count was further reduced to 66 people.[https://www.nytimes.com/article/maui-wildfires-hawaii.html Number of Missing in Maui Wildfires Drops to 66, from Hundreds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909095620/https://www.nytimes.com/article/maui-wildfires-hawaii.html |date=September 9, 2023 }} The New York Times On September 15, the death toll was reduced from 115 to 97 as officials reported that DNA findings discovered that some of the remains came from the same victims. The number of missing persons was also reduced to 31 with only 1 addition to the list.[http://www.mauipolice.com/mpdfbi-credible-list-of-unaccounted-for-individuals.html MPD/FBI Credible List of Unaccounted For Individuals (9/15/2023)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920105950/http://www.mauipolice.com/mpdfbi-credible-list-of-unaccounted-for-individuals.html |date=September 20, 2023 }} Maui Police Department

On September 25 a small number of residents were allowed to enter North Lahaina for the first time in over 6 weeks.{{cite news|date=September 26, 2023|title=First of thousands of Lahaina residents return to homes destroyed by deadly wildfire|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/09/26/1201679740/lahaina-residents-return-homes-destroyed-by-wildfire|url-status=live|work=The Associated Press|location=Lahaina, Hawaii|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926042942/https://www.npr.org/2023/09/26/1201679740/lahaina-residents-return-homes-destroyed-by-wildfire|archive-date=September 26, 2023|access-date=September 26, 2023}} Officials planned to remove restrictions for all areas of the city over the next one to two months, pending cleanup efforts by the EPA.{{cite news|last=Victoria Lozano|first=Alicia|date=September 25, 2023|title=Maui residents get a close-up look at the burn scar where their homes once stood|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/maui-residents-get-close-look-burn-scar-homes-stood-rcna116893|url-status=live|work=ABC News|location=Lahaina, Hawaii|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926070838/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/maui-residents-get-close-look-burn-scar-homes-stood-rcna116893|archive-date=September 26, 2023|access-date=September 26, 2023}}

The Lahaina fire's death toll was the largest for a wildfire in the U.S. since the Cloquet fire of 1918, which killed 453 people.{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Cammy |date=August 13, 2023 |title=Lāhainā Fire deadliest US wildfire since Cloquet blaze in 1918; death toll likely to rise |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/12/lahaina-fire-deadliest-us-wildfire-since-cloquet-fire-in-1918-death-toll-likely-to-rise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814215240/https://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/12/lahaina-fire-deadliest-us-wildfire-since-cloquet-fire-in-1918-death-toll-likely-to-rise/ |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=Big Island Now}}{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Death toll from Maui wildfires rises to 89, officials say |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/12/maui-fire-hawaii-wildfire-death-toll-lahaina/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813021331/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/12/maui-fire-hawaii-wildfire-death-toll-lahaina/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023}}

{{Clear}}

File:August 8 Fire above Kihei.jpg

On the same night as the Kula and Lahaina fires, another major fire sparked near Pūlehu Road, north of Kīhei. The fire quickly spread in the direction of the prevailing winds, and by early August 9, the large fire entered northeast portions of Kīhei, resulting in an evacuation order for multiple communities nearby. Within the following days, firefighters fully contained the fire and all residents were advised that it was safe to return.{{cite news |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Hawaii responds as deadly wildfires across 2 islands destroy communities |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/massive-wildfires-devastate-lahaina-wreak-havoc-across-2-islands/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810020325/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/massive-wildfires-devastate-lahaina-wreak-havoc-across-2-islands/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023}}

A small, single acre fire ignited on August 11, which led to the evacuation of Kāʻanapali in West Maui before it was contained that same day.[https://www.kitv.com/news/local/kaanapali-flare-up-now-100-contained-mayor-bissen-said/article_512964fe-38cc-11ee-a93c-7fd7707e5481.html Kaanapali flare up now 100% contained, Mayor Bissen said] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812093349/https://www.kitv.com/news/local/kaanapali-flare-up-now-100-contained-mayor-bissen-said/article_512964fe-38cc-11ee-a93c-7fd7707e5481.html |date=August 12, 2023 }} KITV[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/maui-fires-live-updates-lahaina-rcna99396/rcrd16713?canonicalCard=true Fire prompts evacuations in West Maui community of Kaanapali] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812093349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/maui-fires-live-updates-lahaina-rcna99396/rcrd16713?canonicalCard=true |date=August 12, 2023 }} NBC News Another fire in Kāʻanapali would ignite again on August 26 and have an evacuation order placed and lifted on the same day.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-26 |title=New Maui brush fire forces brief evacuation of Lahaina neighborhood |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maui-brush-fire-evacuation-lahaina-neighborhood/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827060828/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maui-brush-fire-evacuation-lahaina-neighborhood/ |url-status=live }}

In Hawaiʻi County, neighborhoods in the North and South Kohala districts of the Island of Hawaiʻi were evacuated due to rapidly spreading brush fires.{{cite news |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Hawaii island battling new fire in Kau, along with 3 blazes in Kohala |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/hawaii-island-still-battling-3-blazes-in-kohala/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810041737/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/hawaii-island-still-battling-3-blazes-in-kohala/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023}} On August 9, several other brush fires broke out near the communities of Nā'ālehu and Pāhala; those fires were quickly brought under control. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said there were no reports of injuries or destroyed homes on the Big Island.{{cite news |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Death toll from Maui fires rises to 53, governor says, and more than 1,000 structures have burned |work=Maui News |publisher= |url=https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/death-toll-from-maui-fires-rises-to-53-governor-says-and-more-than-1000-structures-have-burned/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811010822/https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/death-toll-from-maui-fires-rises-to-53-governor-says-and-more-than-1000-structures-have-burned/ |archive-date=August 11, 2023}}

On August 16, a large brushfire sprung up on the outskirts of Wahiawā on Oʻahu. Though it did not burn near any houses, the fire threatened local homeless people as well as the Kūkaniloko Birth Site, a location registered under the National Register of Historic Places and near-thousand year old site that is the location of the births of Hawaiian chiefs.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title=HFD responds to large brushfire in Wahiawa |url=https://www.kitv.com/news/local/hfd-responds-to-large-brushfire-in-wahiawa/article_a1f7f978-3cb8-11ee-9a62-8799aae80591.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=KITV |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817124809/https://www.kitv.com/news/local/hfd-responds-to-large-brushfire-in-wahiawa/article_a1f7f978-3cb8-11ee-9a62-8799aae80591.html |url-status=live }}{{Clear}}

File:Lahaina Deaths Overlayed on Damage Imagery.png]]

File:Hawaii National Guard - 7965753.jpg

The governor of the state of Hawaii, Josh Green, referred to the Lahaina wildfires as the "worst natural disaster" in the history of Hawaii.{{efn|Prior to statehood, the tsunami from the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake killed 165–173 people in the Hawaiian Islands,{{citation |author=USGS |title=PAGER-CAT Earthquake Catalog |date=September 4, 2009 |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/static/lfs/data/pager/catalogs/ |access-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717083128/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/static/lfs/data/pager/catalogs/ |url-status=live |series=Version 2008_06.1 |publisher=United States Geological Survey |archive-date=July 17, 2020}} which is widely considered the worst natural disaster in Hawaii.{{cite news |last1=Sommerlad |first1=Joe |title=A brief history of natural disasters in Hawaii, from tsunamis to wildfires |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/hawaii-wildfires-maui-history-tsunami-climate-change-b2391551.html |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=The Independent |date=August 11, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811164650/https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/hawaii-wildfires-maui-history-tsunami-climate-change-b2391551.html |url-status=live }}}}{{Cite news |last1=Thebault |first1=Reis |last2=Brulliard |first2=Karin |last3=Slater |first3=Joanna |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Hawaii's worst fires leave Lahaina in ruins as death toll rises to 53 |language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/10/hawaii-wildfires-impact-damage/ |access-date=August 11, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811013326/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/10/hawaii-wildfires-impact-damage/ |url-status=live }} It is the fifth deadliest wildfire in United States history, and the most lethal wildfire in the country since the Cloquet fire of 1918, which killed 453 people.{{Cite web |last=Carli |first=Lorraine |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Maui wildfire one of deadliest in US history |url=https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2023/08/12/Maui-wildfire-one-of-deadliest-in-US-history |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=National Fire Protection Association |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814041028/https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2023/08/12/Maui-wildfire-one-of-deadliest-in-US-history |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Paul |date=November 22, 2018 |title=Camp Fire is deadliest U.S. wildfire in 100 years; eerily similar to 1918 inferno that killed 453 |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/11/22/5714558/ |access-date=November 25, 2018 |work=East Bay Times |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123065751/https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/11/22/5714558/ |url-status=live }}

{{As of|2024|6|24|df=US}}, there were 102 confirmed deaths due to the Lahaina fire on Maui, all of whom have been identified.{{Cite web|title=Identities of Maui Wildfire Disaster Victims|date=17 September 2023|website=County of Maui|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12860|access-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918090103/http://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12860|archive-date=18 September 2023|url-status=deviated}}{{Cite news |last=Debusmann Jr |first=Bernd |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Hawaii wildfires: Why identifying the victims could take years |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66502284 |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2023 |work=BBC News |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816011911/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66502284 }} An additional two individuals remain unaccounted for as of February 14, 2024. Among the dead was confirmed to be a Filipino national who was a naturalized U.S. citizen.{{Cite news |date=August 18, 2023 |title=One Filipino among fatalities in Hawaii wildfire – DFA |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/18/2289610/one-filipino-among-fatalities-hawaii-wildfire-dfa/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 18, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818100546/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/18/2289610/one-filipino-among-fatalities-hawaii-wildfire-dfa }} The death toll in West Maui made it the deadliest wildfire and natural disaster recorded in Hawaii since statehood.{{Cite news|last1=Hoffman |first1=Riley |title=Maui fire deadliest natural disaster in state's history |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/lahaina-fire-85-contained-death-toll-rises-67/story?id=102214874 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=ABC News |date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812061301/https://abcnews.go.com/US/lahaina-fire-85-contained-death-toll-rises-67/story?id=102214874|archive-date=August 12, 2023|url-status=live}}

{{As of|2023|8|18|df=US|alt=As of August 18}}, at least 67 people were injured in the fires. On August 9, at least twenty individuals were reported hospitalized at a Maui hospital. Six additional individuals, three of whom had critical burns, were reportedly transported by air ambulance from Maui to hospitals on Oʻahu.{{cite news |title=Fires on Hawaii's Maui island kill at least 6 as blazes force people to flee flames|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-hurricane-dora-winds-wildfires-evacuations-power-outages/ |publisher=CBS News |date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810014856/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-hurricane-dora-winds-wildfires-evacuations-power-outages/ |url-status=live }}

On August 17, 60 survivors were found alive sheltering inside a single home.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Maui wildfire miracle with 60 survivors found in single home as death toll hits 111 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/maui-fires-update-cause-death-toll-travel-advisory-b2394447.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817091643/https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/maui-fires-update-cause-death-toll-travel-advisory-b2394447.html |url-status=live }}

At times after the fire, the reported number of casualties was thought to be as high as 115. Using DNA testing, it was eventually established that the total number of casualties was 102.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/maui-wildfire-victims.html|title=Death Toll of Maui Wildfire Now at 102|first1=Jacey|last1=Fortin|first2=Adeel|last2=Hassan|date=August 9, 2024|via=NYTimes.com}}

File:2023 Maui fires - Lahaina damage via Coast Guard 2.jpg surrounded by August 2023 wildfire ruins]]

File:Lahaina damage-map.png

The main Maui wildfire burned much of the community of Lahaina, where more than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed, including much of the downtown Lahaina Historic District centered on Front Street.{{Cite news |author= |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Much of historic Lahaina town believed destroyed as huge wildfire sends people fleeing into water |work=Hawaii News Now|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/what-you-need-know-emergency-crews-battle-raging-brush-fires-maui/ |access-date=August 9, 2023|archive-date=August 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809230203/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/what-you-need-know-emergency-crews-battle-raging-brush-fires-maui/ |url-status=live }} 96% of burned structures were residential. The {{convert|3.4 |sqmi||adj=mid| area}} was the commercial, residential, and cultural center of the community.{{Cite news |last=Hu |first=Alex |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Maui's Herculean Task |url=https://www.city-journal.org/article/mauis-herculean-task/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |work=City Journal |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017144930/https://www.city-journal.org/article/mauis-herculean-task |url-status=live }} On August 17, Governor Green noted that the fire temperature had reached {{convert|1000|F|C}}, since it was hot enough to melt granite counters and engine blocks.{{cite news |last1=Blair |first1=Chad |title=Hawaii Governor Commits To Rebuild Lahaina For Local Residents First |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/hawaii-governor-commits-to-rebuild-lahaina-for-local-residents-first/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224310/https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/hawaii-governor-commits-to-rebuild-lahaina-for-local-residents-first/ |url-status=live }} Puddles of melted aluminum have been seen underneath burned-out vehicles.

Although PDC and FEMA had initially estimated total damage at around $5.52 billion, catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Co. estimated on August 16 that insured property losses would be only $3.2 billion.{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Lauren |title=Maui Wildfire Losses Mount. Homeowners in Every State Will Pay a High Price. |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/maiu-hawaii-wildfire-homeowners-insurance-2fbc156 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Barron's |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819054226/https://www.barrons.com/articles/maiu-hawaii-wildfire-homeowners-insurance-2fbc156 |url-status=live }} Real estate experts expressed concern that many Lahaina homes were uninsured or underinsured and surviving owners might not have sufficient financial resources to build new homes in compliance with the state's current building code.{{cite news |last1=Corkery |first1=Michael |last2=Cowan |first2=Jill |title=Maui Had a Housing Shortage Even Before the Wildfires |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/us/maui-wildfires-housing.html |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818234449/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/us/maui-wildfires-housing.html |url-status=live }} Many Native Hawaiians were able to afford to live in Lahaina only because they had inherited paid-off homes from previous generations, and since they had not needed mortgage loans to purchase their homes, they were not required to carry homeowners insurance coverage.

The Lahaina Historic District, which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii for 35 years, suffered extensive fire damage.{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Timothy |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Lahaina's historic and cultural treasures go up in smoke |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |publisher= |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/10/hawaii-news/lahainas-historic-and-cultural-treasures-go-up-in-smoke/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810152148/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/10/hawaii-news/lahainas-historic-and-cultural-treasures-go-up-in-smoke/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023}} Among the structures destroyed were:

• The Waiola Church, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in May 2023, lost its main sanctuary, annex, and social hall.{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Timothy |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Maria Lanakila still stands, but Waiola Church is gone |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |publisher= |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/11/hawaii-news/maria-lanakila-still-stands-but-waiola-church-is-gone/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811134758/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/11/hawaii-news/maria-lanakila-still-stands-but-waiola-church-is-gone/ |archive-date=August 11, 2023}} Waiola Church's cemetery is the burial ground for members of the Hawaiian Royal Family, including Queen Keōpūolani, who founded the church in 1823.
• The Lahaina Jodo Mission, a Buddhist temple in northern Lahaina. Established in 1912 and stood on its current location since 1932.
• The Pioneer Inn, a landmark town hotel constructed by George Alan Freeland in 1901.
• The Nā {{okina}}Aikāne Cultural Center, a local cultural center which once housed a soup kitchen for striking plantation workers during an International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) strike against the Pioneer Mill.
• The Old Lahaina Courthouse, which first operated in 1860 as a customs house for trade and whaling ships. The building's roof was completely destroyed. The Old Lahaina Courthouse stands in heavily damaged Lahaina Banyan Court Park.
• The Lahaina Heritage Museum and its collection, which were housed inside the Old Courthouse building, were also destroyed. The collection included items that spanned Lahaina's history, including artifacts from the area's ancient Hawaiian period, the Hawaiian Kingdom and monarchy, the plantation period, and the town's whaling era. Copies of the museum's documents had been digitized and stored online prior to the fire.{{cite news|first=Shawn|last=Hubler|title=The historic town of Lahaina, and its legacy, is in ashes smoke|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/10/hawaii-news/lahainas-historic-and-cultural-treasures-go-up-in-smoke/|date=August 10, 2023|access-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811003729/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/us/lahaina-maui-hawaii-fires.html|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live}}
• The Baldwin Home Museum, which was constructed in 1834 and 1835 as the home of American missionaries Dwight Baldwin and Charlotte Fowler Baldwin, burned to the ground. The Baldwin Home was the oldest house on the island of Maui. Historic items lost in the house fire included Baldwin's medical instruments he used to vaccinate much of Maui's population against smallpox in the 1800s, seashell collections, and the family's furniture and rocking chairs from the East Coast.
• The Wo Hing Society Hall, built in the early 1910s to serve the growing Chinese population in Lahaina. It was restored and turned into the Wo Hing Museum in the 1980s.{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/h_445b2e453c9a51975567fe8e6b39312a |title=CNN Live Updates: Maui Wildfires |date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230810080719/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/h_445b2e453c9a51975567fe8e6b39312a |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023}}

The fire also destroyed several cell towers in affected areas, causing service outages and 9-1-1 emergency telephone services to be rendered unavailable.{{Cite news |last1=Boyette |first1=Holly |last2=Yan |first2=Amanda |last3=Jackson |first3=Jamiel |last4=Lynch |first4=Chris |date=August 9, 2023 |title=At least 6 dead as Maui wildfires overwhelm hospitals, sever 911 services and force people to flee into the ocean|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/weather/maui-county-wildfires-hurricane-dora/index.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809190631/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/weather/maui-county-wildfires-hurricane-dora/index.html |url-status=live }} The wildfire that burned near the community of Kula, located in Maui's Upcountry, destroyed at least two homes.

The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina, which had been dedicated in 1858. Contrary to early reports, the main church building and steeple were not destroyed and survived the fire largely intact, though the roof and interior may have sustained some damage.

The Lahaina Civic Center, venue for the Maui Invitational Tournament, a prominent early-season college men's basketball event, has so far escaped significant damage, although it had to be evacuated after earlier serving as an evacuation center. The 2023 tournament, scheduled for November, was moved to Honolulu at the Stan Sheriff Center instead.{{Cite web|url=https://mauiinvitational.com/news/2023/11/7/general-maui-invitational-partners-with-allstate-for-2023-tournament|title=Maui Invitational Partners with Allstate|website=Allstate Maui Invitational}}

File:FEMA - B-Roll of Hawaii Wildfire -1.jpg

Lahaina's famous banyan tree, the largest banyan tree in the United States, had most of its foliage charred, though was left standing after the fire.{{Cite web |last1=Truesdale |first1=Jack |last2=Heaton |first2=Thomas |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Lahaina Emerges From 'Devastating' Fire As Relief Begins To Arrive |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/lahaina-emerges-from-devastating-fire-as-relief-begins-to-arrive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810173407/https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/lahaina-emerges-from-devastating-fire-as-relief-begins-to-arrive/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}} A video taken on August 11 showed local officials watering the tree to aid its recovery. At least some green foliage appeared to be present and the roots, trunks, and branches of the tree were largely undamaged.{{Citation |title=081123 Lahaina, HI-Oldest Banyan tree burnt, crispy officials try watering.mp4 | date=August 11, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wVc1NhR738 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813005854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wVc1NhR738&feature=share |url-status=live |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2023}}

On August 11, unsafe water alerts were issued as early as 3 p.m. (01:00 UTC) warning residents of Lahaina and Upper Kula, with instructions to not drink or use tap water for daily activities, even after boiling, and all residents were requested to limit water use.{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina Water System |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12679 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812204645/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12679 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui |quote=The Lahaina water system experienced wildfire impacts and may have fire related contamination […] DO NOT DRINK-DO NOT BOIL YOUR WATER Failure to follow this advisory could result in illness.}}{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Unsafe water advisory issued for Upper Kula and Lahaina areas affected by wildfires |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12680 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812204653/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12680 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui}}{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2023 |title=Unsafe Water Advisory for Upper Kula Water System potentially affected areas |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12685 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812204412/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=12685 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui}}{{Cite news |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Maui County: Tap water unsafe to drink in some areas |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/12/officials-warn-those-certain-parts-maui-not-drink-tap-water-following-wildfires |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812013441/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/12/officials-warn-those-certain-parts-maui-not-drink-tap-water-following-wildfires/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023}} Following earlier deployments on August 9, further potable water tankers were set up at locations across the island.{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Potable water tanker locations for Upcountry and West Maui |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12660 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813015048/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12660 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=County of Maui}} Some scientists have also warned that charred soils, toxic contaminated top soil and other debris could run off into the shoreline and cause marine habitats and coral to be damaged.{{Cite news |last=Canon |first=Gabrielle |date=2023-08-18 |title='Coral are going to die': Maui wildfires take toxic toll on marine ecology |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/18/hawaii-fires-environmental-harm-coral-reefs-grasses |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819035240/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/18/hawaii-fires-environmental-harm-coral-reefs-grasses |url-status=live }}

The fires prompted mass evacuations of thousands of residents and visitors from Lāhaina, Kāʻanapali, Kīhei, and Kula.{{Cite news |last1=Napuunoa |first1=Nicole |last2=Ufi |first2=Elizabeth |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Max |last4=Lopez |first4=Lucy |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Effects from Maui fires felt deeply across islands |url=https://www.khon2.com/maui-news/maui-residents-under-evacuation-order/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=KHON2 |language= |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812145858/https://www.khon2.com/maui-news/maui-residents-under-evacuation-order/ }} The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they had rescued 17 people who had jumped into the sea in Lahaina to escape the fires.{{Cite news |last1=Sangal |first1=Aditi |last2=Powell |first2=Tori B |last3=Meyer |first3=Matt |last4=Hammond |first4=Elise |last5=Lau |first5=Chris |last6=Raine |first6=Andrew |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Live updates: Maui wildfires death toll rises, Lahaina 80% destroyed |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hawaii-maui-wildfires-08-11-23/h_4c7fe1f7f0af9954d8e25d0761988995 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812133637/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hawaii-maui-wildfires-08-11-23/h_4c7fe1f7f0af9954d8e25d0761988995 |url-status=live }} As of August 12, more than 1,400 people on Maui remained in shelters.{{Cite web|title=Lahaina, Pulehu and Upcountry Maui Fires Update No. 20, 2:05 a.m.|date=August 12, 2023|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12684|publisher=County of Maui|access-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812202309/http://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12684|archive-date=August 12, 2023|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Over 1,400 in emergency shelters on Maui as hundreds more displaced residents seek shelter elsewhere|date=August 12, 2023|website=Hawaii News Now|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2023/08/12/over-1400-emergency-shelters-maui-hundreds-more-displaced-residents-seek-shelter-elsewhere|access-date=August 13, 2023|archive-date=August 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813112225/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2023/08/12/over-1400-emergency-shelters-maui-hundreds-more-displaced-residents-seek-shelter-elsewhere/|url-status=live}} Vacationing San Francisco mayor London Breed was among those evacuated from Maui.{{Cite news |date=August 10, 2023 |title=SF Mayor London Breed among Bay Area travelers impacted by devastating Hawaii wildfires |url=https://abc7news.com/hawaii-bay-area-travel-impact-sf-mayor-london-breed-wildfires/13628136/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |publisher=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811173048/https://abc7news.com/hawaii-bay-area-travel-impact-sf-mayor-london-breed-wildfires/13628136/ |url-status=live }}

An estimated 11,000 people flew out of Maui via Kahului Airport on August 9, 2023.

American, Southwest, Hawaiian, and Alaska Airlines had added additional flights to their routes into Kahului Airport by August 10 to help evacuate people from the island, and American replaced a narrow-body Airbus A321 with a wide-body Boeing 777 to further boost capacity.{{cite news |last1=Josephs |first1=Leslie |title=Airlines add flights to get travelers off of Maui after deadly wildfires |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/10/maui-wildfires-airlines-add-flights-waive-fees.html |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=CNBC |date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812001420/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/10/maui-wildfires-airlines-add-flights-waive-fees.html |url-status=live }} All four airlines had also reportedly waived fare cancellation penalties and fare-difference fees for affected passengers, and Hawaiian and Southwest offered temporary $19 interisland flights until August 11.{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Hawaiian Air adds flights, offers $19 fares as visitor evacuations from Maui continue |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/10/hawaiian-air-adds-flights-offers-19-fares-visitor-evacuations-maui-continue/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Hawaii News Now |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810054519/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/10/hawaiian-air-adds-flights-offers-19-fares-visitor-evacuations-maui-continue/ }}{{Cite web |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Southwest Airlines Running $19 Flights From Maui, $1 Pet Fares As Lahaina Burns Down |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/southwest-airlines-running-19-flights-from-maui-1-pet-fares-as-lahaina-burns-down/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=View from the Wing |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810213112/https://viewfromthewing.com/southwest-airlines-running-19-flights-from-maui-1-pet-fares-as-lahaina-burns-down/ }} By August 13, 2023, over 46,000 visitors had flown out of Maui via Kahului Airport.{{cite news |last1=HNN Staff |title=Hawaii Tourism Authority: Visitors have 'largely heeded call' to leave Maui |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/13/hawaii-tourism-authority-visitors-have-largely-heeded-call-leave-maui/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |work=Hawaii News Now |date=August 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813233234/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/13/hawaii-tourism-authority-visitors-have-largely-heeded-call-leave-maui/ |url-status=live }}

Hawaiian state officials created plans to house visitors along with thousands of displaced Maui residents at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Oʻahu and over 100 had stayed as of August 10.{{Cite news |last=Argel |first=Arielle |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Hawaii Convention Center shelters over 100 tourists, locals who fled Maui |url=https://www.kitv.com/news/lahaina/hawaii-convention-center-shelters-over-100-tourists-locals-who-fled-maui/article_097313ea-3727-11ee-bdc7-7b3fd84f6ad9.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=KITV|archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811050842/https://www.kitv.com/news/lahaina/hawaii-convention-center-shelters-over-100-tourists-locals-who-fled-maui/article_097313ea-3727-11ee-bdc7-7b3fd84f6ad9.html }}

After the fire swept through Lahaina on August 8, Maui County blocked public access to all of West Maui with checkpoints on Route 30/340 (Honoapiʻilani Highway, the only highway in and out of the area). Over the next three days, the blockade created a desperate situation for residents of still-intact communities who ran low on medicine, food, and fuel, while other residents and tourists who suddenly found themselves outside of the blockade wished to retrieve their belongings. On August 11, 2023, the County reopened the checkpoint on Route 30 at Māʻalaea to help ameliorate these issues. Within five hours, the checkpoint was closed again, reportedly because of attempts to enter the sealed-off portion of Lahaina.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Christie |title=Altercation between residents, Maui police shuts down limited access to Lahaina |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/11/breaking-news/altercation-between-residents-maui-police-shuts-down-limited-access-in-lahaina/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812034845/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/11/breaking-news/altercation-between-residents-maui-police-shuts-down-limited-access-in-lahaina/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Uechi |first1=Colleen |last2=Tanji |first2=Melissa |last3=Collias |first3=Robert |title=Brief reopening of Lahaina spurs scramble for access: Road closed again as crews fight fires, police cite issues with unauthorized access |url=https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/brief-reopening-of-lahaina-spurs-scramble-for-access/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=The Maui News |date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812171855/https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/brief-reopening-of-lahaina-spurs-scramble-for-access/ |url-status=live }}

On September 25 officials cleared a small area in North Lahaina for reentry, the first time in over 6 weeks that residents had been allowed back into the city. Visiting residents were provided with personal protective equipment and urged not to disturb the ash, which may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead.

The Maui Humane Society stated that there is an estimated 3,000 animals from Lahaina that were currently missing after the fires as of August 16. As of August 14, the society had received about 367 lost animal reports and some dual reported with the society and on the "Missing Pets of Maui" Facebook page created by the society which has about 6,400 members.{{Cite web |last1=Luna |first1=Itzel |last2=Hooper |first2=Sandy |date=August 17, 2023 |title='I was crying hysterically': Maui residents search for missing pets after deadly fires |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/16/maui-fire-search-for-pets/70598901007/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818115954/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/16/maui-fire-search-for-pets/70598901007/ |url-status=live }} Any found animals are checked for any identification and scanned for a microchip, with the society urging that found deceased animals should not be moved or destroyed so that they can be cataloged and checked for any identification.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2023 |title=As people fled the fires, pets did too. Some emerged with marks of escape, but many remain lost |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/ap-top-news/2023/08/15/as-people-fled-the-fires-pets-did-too-some-emerged-with-marks-of-escape-but-many-remain-lost |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=ny1.com |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224312/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/ap-top-news/2023/08/15/as-people-fled-the-fires-pets-did-too-some-emerged-with-marks-of-escape-but-many-remain-lost |url-status=live }}

Animal welfare advocates and the Maui Police were working in tandem to search the burned areas for lost, injured or deceased animals, with dozens of feeding and drinking stations set up to draw out animals.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title=Dogs, cats and love birds rescued from the ashes of Hawaii wildfires |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/08/16/dogs-with-paws-burnt-down-to-the-bone-rescued-from-the-ashes-of-hawaiis-wildfires |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818191005/https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/08/16/dogs-with-paws-burnt-down-to-the-bone-rescued-from-the-ashes-of-hawaiis-wildfires |url-status=live }} After the fire in order to make room for animals that were impacted by the fires, the Humane Society, and the only open-admission animal shelter on the island airlifted over 100 shelter animals to Portland, Oregon.{{Cite web |last=Reeder |first=Jen |date=2023-08-18 |title=Over 130 shelter pets just boarded an emergency flight from Maui |url=https://www.today.com/pets/maui-dogs-cats-airlifted-wildfires-rcna100625 |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=TODAY.com |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224311/https://www.today.com/pets/maui-dogs-cats-airlifted-wildfires-rcna100625 |url-status=live }} Veterinarians and staff members of the Kīhei Veterinary Clinic, the Humane Society, and the Central Maui Animal Clinic and volunteers coordinated care for the found animals as well as disbursing free medical care, food and animal medication to island residents. Donations and care were also extended to the Maui Police Department's K-9 unit that are working with recovery efforts and housing for the animals.

Scientists with the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to prep for studies that would monitor and document any changes in water quality due to soil erosion and other effects of the fire that can affect the island's waterways and ecosystems. Others expressed thanks that areas such as the Maui Bird Conservation Center was spared from the majority of the fires, as it housed a large portion of the alalā flock.{{Cite web |last=Rains |first=Molly |date=August 11, 2023 |title='Still in shock.' Amid wildfire tragedy, Maui scientists assess their research losses |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/still-in-shock-amid-wildfire-tragedy-maui-scientists-assess-their-research-losses |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Science |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818225500/https://www.science.org/content/article/still-in-shock-amid-wildfire-tragedy-maui-scientists-assess-their-research-losses |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Grandoni |first=Dino |date=August 11, 2023 |title=This Maui center houses some of the world's rarest birds. Staff saved it from the flames. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/11/hawaii-fire-bird-center/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815010652/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/11/hawaii-fire-bird-center/ |url-status=live }}

Within two weeks of the Maui wildfires, lawyers from California, Florida, Oregon, Texas, and Washington had come to Maui to sign up wildfire victims as plaintiffs.{{cite news |last1=Truesdale |first1=Jack |title=Hawaii Residents Are Urged To Be Cautious About Retaining Lawyers From Out Of State |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/hawaii-residents-are-urged-to-be-cautious-about-retaining-out-of-state-lawyers/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825103938/https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/hawaii-residents-are-urged-to-be-cautious-about-retaining-out-of-state-lawyers/ |url-status=live }} Chief Disciplinary Counsel Bradley Tamm (the state's primary lawyer regulator) warned Hawaiians to be careful: "It’s a feeding frenzy. There are sharks both in the water and on the land". Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., the primary electric utility for Maui, became a significant focus of such litigation. By August 14, at least one lawsuit had been filed against Hawaiian Electric, and the company experienced a decline in its stock value.{{Cite news |last=Vacchiano |first=Andrea |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Hawaiian couple sues power companies over Lahaina destruction amid historic Maui wildfires |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/hawaiian-couple-sues-power-companies-over-lahaina-destruction-amid-historic-maui-wildfires/ar-AA1fewOU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819102553/https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/hawaiian-couple-sues-power-companies-over-lahaina-destruction-amid-historic-maui-wildfires/ar-AA1fewOU |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=www.msn.com}}{{Cite news |last1=Eavis |first1=Peter |last2=Penn |first2=Ivan |last3=Fuller |first3=Thomas |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Experts Scrutinize Hawaiian Electric as They Search for the Maui Wildfire Cause |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/hawaiian-electric-maui-wildfire.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815010029/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/hawaiian-electric-maui-wildfire.html |archive-date=August 15, 2023}} A state circuit judge asserted he had the judicial right to end an impasse over who will have priority on payments – victims or the insurers. The order said although the insurance companies have a separate subrogation suit in Honolulu, the Maui court has the jurisdiction to resolve the issue to reach a “…just, efficient and economic determination of all the Maui Fire Cases.” The judge scheduled a “status conference” for August 2024 to determine the cause of the issues and resolve them.{{cite web |last1=Yerton |first1=Stewart |title=Maui Judge Tries To Clear The Path To A Settlement Of Billion-Dollar Wildfire Cases |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/07/maui-judge-tries-to-clear-the-path-to-a-settlement-of-billion-dollar-wildfire-cases/ |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en |date=27 July 2024}}

On August 9, 2023, a deputy attorney general representing the Board of Land and Natural Resources filed a petition for a writ of mandamus to the Hawai'i Supreme Court, alleging that a Hawaii circuit court judge's rulings regarding private water usage had restricted the amount of water available to fight the fires. This claim was disputed by the responding Sierra Club, who requested the Supreme Court to sanction the Attorney General for filing the petition under false pretenses. The attorney representing Maui County stated during the hearing that a lack of water was never an issue during the wildfires.{{cite news |last1=Huff |first1=Daryl |date=August 23, 2023 |title=High court justices challenge state's claims of insufficient water for Maui firefighting |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/24/high-court-justices-challenge-states-claims-insufficient-water-maui-firefighting/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824083600/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/24/high-court-justices-challenge-states-claims-insufficient-water-maui-firefighting/ |archive-date=August 24, 2023}} The Supreme Court denied the petition.{{cite news |last1=Tanji |first1=Melissa |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Petition to give more water to private companies denied |work=The Maui News |url=https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/petition-to-give-more-water-to-private-companies-denied/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906095223/https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/petition-to-give-more-water-to-private-companies-denied/ |archive-date=September 6, 2023}}

On October 4, 2023, a filing with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission showed that Hawaiian Electric was underinsured against its potential liability exposure for the Maui wildfires, with only about $165 million in liability insurance coverage.{{cite news |last1=Sacks |first1=Brianna |title=Hawaiian Electric's insurance would cover a fraction of Maui fire claims |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/10/04/hawaiian-electric-insurance-wildfire/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 4, 2023}} According to ALM's Law.com, as of October 5, 2023, more than 35 lawsuits had been filed against Hawaiian Electric and other defendants.{{cite news |last1=Bronstad |first1=Amanda |title=Munger Tolles, Hueston Hennigan, Join Maui Wildfire Cases Growing Defense Teams |url=https://www.law.com/2023/10/05/munger-tolles-hueston-hennigan-join-maui-wildfire-cases-growing-defense-teams/ |work=Law.com |date=October 5, 2023 |url-access=registration |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009014906/https://www.law.com/2023/10/05/munger-tolles-hueston-hennigan-join-maui-wildfire-cases-growing-defense-teams/?slreturn=20230908214904 |url-status=live }} Most but not all had been filed in Hawaii state circuit courts, especially the Second Circuit based in Wailuku (which has jurisdiction over Maui County).{{cite news |last1=Yerton |first1=Stewart |title='The Wildfire Litigation Industry' Takes On Hawaiian Electric |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/09/the-wildfire-litigation-industry-takes-on-hawaiian-electric/ |access-date=October 5, 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005003541/https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/09/the-wildfire-litigation-industry-takes-on-hawaiian-electric/ |url-status=live }} In response, Hawaiian Electric retained California law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson as its lead defense counsel. The same law firm had previously worked for Pacific Gas and Electric on litigation arising out of the 2018 California wildfires, in which its attorneys had billed their time in 2019 at rates between $400 and $1,400 per hour.{{cite news |last1=Lagos |first1=Marisa |title=Wall Street Could Make $1 Billion Off PG&E's Bankruptcy – and Ratepayers Are on the Hook |url=https://www.kqed.org/news/11791486/wall-street-could-make-1-billion-off-pges-bankruptcy-and-ratepayers-are-on-the-hook |access-date=October 8, 2023 |work=KQED |date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212031054/https://www.kqed.org/news/11791486/wall-street-could-make-1-billion-off-pges-bankruptcy-and-ratepayers-are-on-the-hook |url-status=live }}

On March 11, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake ordered the remand of 90 lawsuits back to state court.{{cite news |last1=Yerton |first1=Stewart |title=Maui Wildfire Cases Will Stay In Maui State Court |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/03/maui-wildfire-cases-will-stay-in-maui-state-court/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=March 11, 2024}} The defendants had removed the cases to the federal district court in Honolulu on the basis of a 2002 lawMultiparty, Multiforum Trial Jurisdiction Act of 2002, {{usc|28|1369}} (2002). which authorized federal jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of the deaths of at least 75 natural persons at a "discrete location". Judge Otake held that the Lahaina fire was not a "discrete location" because the fatalities were spread out over seven square miles (18.1 km²).

In July 2024, a tentative agreement was reached and Hawaiian Electric Industries, along with the State of Hawaii, Maui County, Kamehameha Schools and others would agree to pay thousands of plaintiffs and victims over $4 billion to settle the lawsuits.{{cite web |last1=Feeley |first1=Jeff |last2=Chediak |first2=Mark |title=Hawaiian Electric Among Firms in $4 Billion Maui Fire Deal |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/insurance/hawaiian-electric-among-firms-eyeing-4-billion-maui-fire-deal |website=Bloomberg Law |date=19 July 2024}} A state circuit judge asserted he had the judicial right to end an impasse over who will have priority on payments – victims or the insurers. The order said although the insurance companies have a separate subrogation suit in Honolulu, the Maui court has the jurisdiction to resolve the issue to reach a “…just, efficient and economic determination of all the Maui Fire Cases.” The judge scheduled a “status conference” for August 2024 to determine the cause of the issues and resolve them.

{{multiple image

| perrow = 1

| total_width = 300

| image1 = Hawaii Army National Guard fighting Maui wildfires, August 9, 2023.jpg

| image2 = Hawaii National Guard - 53109041123.jpg

| image3 = B-Roll of Hawaii Wildfire.webm

| image4 = I just got off the phone with @GovJoshGreenMD – following a call with @FEMA Deanne – to discuss Hawai'i's recovery after the deadliest wildfire in a century that has claimed 99 lives.jpg

| image5 = FEMA - 7983592.jpg

| footer = Top to bottom:
Aug. 9: Hawaii Army National Guard Chinook drops water on the wildfire
Aug. 10: Hawaii Air National Guard offload supplies from a C-17 Globemaster III
Aug. 12: FEMA video footage of response and recovery
Aug 15: President Biden reviews a FEMA-provided map aboard Air Force One
Aug. 21: President Biden visits Maui and speaks at Lahaina Civic Center

}}

U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the mobilization of "all available federal assets" to help respond to the wildfires. In a statement, Biden noted that the United States Navy Third Fleet and the United States Coast Guard were supporting "response and rescue efforts". The United States Department of Transportation was working with commercial airlines to help evacuate tourists from Maui.{{cite news |title=Biden pledges 'all available federal assets' for response to wildfires|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/biden-pledges-all-available-federal-assets-for-response-to-wildfires/ |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810041738/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/biden-pledges-all-available-federal-assets-for-response-to-wildfires/ |url-status=live }} To help with the ongoing Coast Guard search and rescue operation, the United States Navy sent in Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Three Seven (HSM-37) and two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, with the United States Indo-Pacific Command standing ready to provide additional assistance as needed.{{cite news |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Maui wildfire updates: Death toll rises to 36; 271 structures impacted|url=https://mauinow.com/2023/08/08/haleakala-highway-closure-due-to-brush-fire-evacuation-of-kula-200-off-auli%ca%bbi-dr/ |url-status=live |language= |work=Maui Now |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810085916/https://mauinow.com/2023/08/08/haleakala-highway-closure-due-to-brush-fire-evacuation-of-kula-200-off-auli%CA%BBi-dr/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Joseph|date=August 10, 2023|title=DOD Mobilizes Support in Response to Hawaii Wildfire |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3490306/dod-mobilizes-support-in-response-to-hawaii-wildfire/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811093231/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3490306/dod-mobilizes-support-in-response-to-hawaii-wildfire/|url-status=live|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|archive-date=August 11, 2023}} Meanwhile, the U.S. 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks on Oʻahu was deployed alongside the Hawaii National Guard to Maui and Hawaii Island to assist with fire suppression support, search and rescue operations, and traffic control.{{cite news |title=Army, Hawaii National Guard deploy to assist in wildfire efforts|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/army-national-guard-deploy-to-assist-in-wildfire-efforts/ |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810041737/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/09/breaking-news/army-national-guard-deploy-to-assist-in-wildfire-efforts/ |url-status=live }}

Using data provided by FEMA's Response Geospatial Office,{{cite web |title=Response Geospatial Office |url=https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/response/response-geospatial |website=FEMA |access-date=19 January 2025}} with assistance from the Civil Air Patrol's Geospatial Program's Damage Assessment Team,{{cite web |title=Hawaii Wing, Geospatial Team at Work in Maui Fires Aftermath |url=https://www.cap.news/hawaii-wing-geospatial-team-at-work-in-maui-fires-aftermath/ |website=CAP.news |publisher=Civil Air Patrol |access-date=19 January 2025}} President Biden approved the state of Hawaii's request for a major disaster declaration on August 10, making federal funding available for recovery efforts in the affected areas.{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2023 |title=President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Hawaii Disaster Declaration |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/08/10/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-hawaii-disaster-declaration-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812025559/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/08/10/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-hawaii-disaster-declaration-3/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=White House}} On August 10, FEMA initiated deployment of Urban Search and Rescue Task Force personnel from around the United States to Maui. Washington State Task Force 1 sent 45 specialists along with a 5-member K-9 team.{{cite news |last1=Glenn |first1=Jack |date=August 10, 2023 |title=WA state task force deploying to Hawaii in wake of fires |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article278150017.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813033343/https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article278150017.html |archive-date=August 13, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Chavez |first1=Bridget |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Washington's 45-person task force will get 'right to work' in Hawaii for rescue, recovery mission |publisher=KIRO 7 News |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/help-is-way-western-washington-maui/447GTLVV6ZBFNJIGAUVPAOOFTU/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813033336/https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/help-is-way-western-washington-maui/447GTLVV6ZBFNJIGAUVPAOOFTU/ |archive-date=August 13, 2023}} Each human member of the K-9 team works with a canine partner, a FEMA-certified human remains detection dog. The same task force had previously deployed to Maui in 2018 to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Lane. On August 10, Nevada Task Force 1 was initially asked to send one K-9 handler and dog, who left that same day. The request was amended to four more specialists, then on top of that, a full 45-member task force team, all of whom flew out on August 11.{{cite news |last1=Clemons |first1=Marvin |date=August 11, 2023 |title=45-member Nevada team en route to help in Maui |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/45-member-nevada-team-en-route-to-help-in-maui-2886191/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811213912/https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/45-member-nevada-team-en-route-to-help-in-maui-2886191/ |archive-date=August 11, 2023}}

FEMA initially provided $700 payments as one of several types of federal assistance available to survivors of the wildfire, which was meant to address immediate needs such as food, water, and clothing.{{cite web | url=https://www.fema.gov/node/fema-only-giving-hawaii-wildfire-survivors-700-household | title=Rumor: FEMA is only giving Hawaii wildfire survivors $700 per household. | date=August 18, 2023 | access-date=August 20, 2023 | archive-date=August 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820041602/https://www.fema.gov/node/fema-only-giving-hawaii-wildfire-survivors-700-household | url-status=live }}

California sent 11 members of Urban Search and Rescue task forces based in the cities of Sacramento, Riverside, and Oakland, and six employees of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.{{cite news |last1=Habegger |first1=Becca |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Sacramento Fire battalion chief helps with recovery efforts in Maui |publisher=ABC10 News |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-fire-chief-efforts-maui/103-f822adcc-bef8-4757-bb1a-79fbb4bf5790 |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813033337/https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-fire-chief-efforts-maui/103-f822adcc-bef8-4757-bb1a-79fbb4bf5790 |archive-date=August 13, 2023}} On August 15, California announced that it was increasing its deployment to 101 people, including an incident management team of 67 Cal Fire employees.{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Richard |title=California sending wildfire and recovery teams to Maui |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-sending-wildfire-and-recovery-teams-to-maui/ |access-date=August 26, 2023 |work=CBS Sacramento |date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819082346/https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-sending-wildfire-and-recovery-teams-to-maui/ |url-status=live }} Among the new personnel arriving on Maui were forensic anthropologists from Chico State who had helped identify victims of the Camp Fire (2018).{{cite news |last1=Healy |first1=Jack |last2=Arango |first2=Tim |title=Maui Families' Search For Missing After Fires Grows More Desperate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/us/maui-fires-missing-search.html |access-date=August 26, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=August 22, 2023 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825233133/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/us/maui-fires-missing-search.html |url-status=live }}

By August 16, the number of FEMA cadaver dogs deployed to the scene had increased to 40,{{cite news |last1=Rush |first1=Claire |last2=Kelleher |first2=Jennifer Sinco |last3=Weber |first3=Christopher |title=More cadaver dogs arrive to assist in search for bodies after wildfires kill at least 106 on Maui |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/16/more-cadaver-dogs-arrive-to-assist-in-search-for-bodies-after-wildfires-kill-at-least-106-on-maui/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Oregon Public Radio |date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816222003/https://www.opb.org/article/2023/08/16/more-cadaver-dogs-arrive-to-assist-in-search-for-bodies-after-wildfires-kill-at-least-106-on-maui/ |url-status=live }} and Governor Green explained that the searchers were in a "race against time" to recover remains before they could be degraded by the next rainstorm.{{cite news |last1=Nakaso |first1=Dan |title=Search for Lahaina victims 'a race against time,' governor says |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/16/hawaii-news/search-for-lahaina-victims-a-race-against-time-governor-saya/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817014129/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/16/hawaii-news/search-for-lahaina-victims-a-race-against-time-governor-saya/ |url-status=live }} Each dog could only work for about 15 to 20 minutes in the tropical heat before rotating into an air-conditioned truck to cool down.{{cite news |last1=Dolan |first1=Jack |title=Tireless L.A. cadaver dogs search Lahaina for human remains |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-23/los-angeles-k-9-cadaver-dogs-lahaina-mauia-fire-human-remains |access-date=August 26, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825232222/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-23/los-angeles-k-9-cadaver-dogs-lahaina-mauia-fire-human-remains |url-status=live }} The dogs also had to wear booties to shield their paws from asphalt temperatures exceeding {{convert|150|F|C}} and still-hot embers, but the booties themselves required frequent replacement.

Meanwhile, on August 15, a federal Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) arrived on the island to assist with the identification and processing of the large number of remains.{{cite news |last1=Blair |first1=Allyson |title=Federal team deployed to Maui to assist with mortuary operations, victim identification |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/16/federal-team-deployed-maui-assist-with-mortuary-operations-victim-identification/ |work=Hawaii News Now |date=August 16, 2023 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817093328/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/16/federal-team-deployed-maui-assist-with-mortuary-operations-victim-identification/ |url-status=live }} The DMORT brought along a portable morgue in the form of {{convert|22.5|ST|kg}} of equipment and supplies, and nine Matson shipping containers were seen outside the Maui Police Department's Forensic Facility in Wailuku.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Christie |title=Mobile morgue arrives on Maui to assist in identifying victims |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/16/hawaii-news/mobile-morgue-arrives-on-maui-to-assist-in-identifying-victims/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819172919/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/16/hawaii-news/mobile-morgue-arrives-on-maui-to-assist-in-identifying-victims/ |url-status=live }}

On August 17, a five-member National Response Team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived on Maui to investigate the cause and origin of the Lahaina fire.{{cite news |last1=Truesdale |first1=Jack |title=ATF To Conduct Investigation Into Lahaina Fire |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/atf-to-conduct-investigation-into-lahaina-fire/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224312/https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/atf-to-conduct-investigation-into-lahaina-fire/ |url-status=live }} The team included an electrical engineer from the Fire Research Laboratory.

File:President Joe Biden delivers remarks at Lahaina Banyan Tree Park (Lahaina Banyan Court Park) after surveying damage from deadly wildfires on the island of Maui on August 21, 2023 - (cropped).jpg

On August 21, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived at Kahului Airport, where they met with Governor Josh Green, his wife Jaime, as well as members of Hawaii's congressional delegation. The Bidens then boarded Marine One where they were given an aerial tour of the devastation. Biden then went to Lahaina where he met with first responders as well as local and state officials and FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell. The Bidens walked through the ruins of the town seeing the area firsthand. They also took part in a blessing by island elders. Biden then spoke to the community and met with survivors at the Lahaina Civic Center.{{Cite news |last=Min Kim |first=Seung |date=2023-08-21 |title=Biden says federal government will help Maui 'for as long as it takes' to recover from wildfire |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-hawaii-wildfires-maui-7f3cd7b227ae397f164f0f6f9e26c9e7 |access-date=2023-08-21 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821150001/https://apnews.com/article/biden-hawaii-wildfires-maui-7f3cd7b227ae397f164f0f6f9e26c9e7 |url-status=live }}

By August 25, the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue task forces had searched 99% of the disaster area, and they wrapped up their work and returned home to the mainland United States.{{cite news |last1=Katsuyama |first1=Jana |title=Hundreds still missing in Maui as search effort narrows, Bay Area teams set to return |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/hundreds-still-missing-in-maui-as-search-effort-narrows-bay-area-teams-set-to-return |access-date=September 8, 2023 |work=KTVU Fox 2 News |date=August 25, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909213638/https://www.ktvu.com/news/hundreds-still-missing-in-maui-as-search-effort-narrows-bay-area-teams-set-to-return |url-status=live }}

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was serving as acting governor in the absence of Governor Josh Green while he was traveling outside of Hawaii, issued an emergency proclamation and activated the Hawaii National Guard. The Hawaii National Guard, together with the U.S. 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks on Oʻahu, deployed to Maui and Hawaii Island to assist with fire suppression support, search and rescue operations, and traffic control. Two UH-60 Blackhawk and one CH-47 Chinook helicopters were also deployed to support fire suppression efforts.

{{As of|2023|8|9|df=US}}, the Hawaii Tourism Authority was asking all visitors on Maui for non-essential travel to leave the island and strongly discouraged any further non-essential travel to the island.{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Maui and Hawai'i Island Wildfire Update|url=https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/maui-and-hawai%CA%BBi-island-wildfire-update/ |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Hawai'i Tourism Authority |archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810162245/https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/maui-and-hawai%CA%BBi-island-wildfire-update/ |url-status=live }}

Previously closed to prioritize emergency services, access to West Maui via Honoapiʻilani Highway for residents with proof of residency and visitors with proof of hotel reservations was resumed beginning at 12 p.m. (UTC 22:00) on August 11.{{Cite web |title=Access to West Maui resumes at 12 noon today |url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12674 |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=County of Maui |language= |quote=Residents of West Maui with identification showing proof of residency and visitors with proof of hotel reservations will have access to Lahaina via Maʻalaea beginning today, Friday, August 11 at noon with measures in place designed to secure the heavily impacted area of historic Lahaina town. |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813014919/https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=12674 }} However, at 4 p.m. (UTC 02:00) access was again restricted due to reports of people accessing restricted areas despite hazardous conditions.{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Limited into West Maui starts for residents at noon; Curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. {{!}} Maui Now |url=https://mauinow.com/2023/08/11/limited-into-west-maui-starts-for-residents-at-noon-curfew-between-10-a-m-and-6/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Limited into West Maui starts for residents at noon; Curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. |quote=Effective Immediately, the road to Lahaina, via Honoapiʻilani Highway is closed in both directions […] Maui police spokesperson Alana Pico said people continued to disobey the orders to stay out of restricted areas, and entry to Lahaina was effectively closed. |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812181447/https://mauinow.com/2023/08/11/limited-into-west-maui-starts-for-residents-at-noon-curfew-between-10-a-m-and-6/ }} Access was reopened the following day through Waihee (from the north) only.

On August 11, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that her department would conduct a "comprehensive review of critical decision-making and standing policies" surrounding the wildfires.{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2023 |title=2023-36 Attorney General Lopez Announces the Inititation of a Comprehensive Review of Decision-Making Concerning Hawai'i Wildfires |url=https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/2023-36-attorney-general-lopez-announces-the-initiation-of-a-comprehensive-review-of-decision-making-concerning-hawai%CA%BBi-wildfires/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812094629/https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/2023-36-attorney-general-lopez-announces-the-initiation-of-a-comprehensive-review-of-decision-making-concerning-hawai%CA%BBi-wildfires/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=governor.hawaii.gov}}

On August 16, Governor Josh Green announced his intention to create a moratorium on the sale of land damaged and destroyed by the fires. While acknowledging there may be legal challenges to such a moratorium, he asked "please don't approach them with an offer to buy land. Please don't approach their families to tell them that they are going to be better off if they make a deal, because we're not going to allow it."{{Cite web |last1=Otis |first1=Ginger Adams |last2=Pisani |first2=Joseph |date=2023-08-17 |title=Lahaina Worries About Real-Estate Speculators After Fire Destruction |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/climate-environment/lahaina-worries-about-real-estate-speculators-after-fire-destruction-e8ab0f79 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817220144/https://www.wsj.com/us-news/climate-environment/lahaina-worries-about-real-estate-speculators-after-fire-destruction-e8ab0f79 |url-status=live }}

On August 31, 2023, Attorney General Lopez disclosed in an interview that her office had hired UL's Fire Safety Research Institute to conduct an independent investigation on behalf of the state government, and the UL investigators had been on scene on Maui since August 24.{{cite news |last1=Boylan |first1=Peter |title=Probe of Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui to take 12 months |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/09/01/hawaii-news/probe-of-aug-8-wildfires-on-maui-to-take-12-months/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=September 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908034140/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/09/01/hawaii-news/probe-of-aug-8-wildfires-on-maui-to-take-12-months/ |url-status=live }}

On April 4, 2024, two months after the end of the eviction moratorium in Maui, Governor Josh Green announced that a portion of areas affected would be prioritized for the restoration of historic wetlands and aquaculture after having been drained and filled during the era of sugar plantations in Hawaii.{{Cite web |title=Gov. Green Provides Guidance and Resources as Maui’s Eviction Moratorium Ends|url=https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-gov-green-provides-guidance-and-resources-as-mauis-eviction-moratorium-ends/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=governor.hawaii.gov |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108172535/https://governor.hawaii.gov/web/20250108172535/https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-gov-green-provides-guidance-and-resources-as-mauis-eviction-moratorium-ends/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Hawaii Governor Will Take ‘Unilateral Action’ To Restore Historic Wetland In Lahaina|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/hawaii-governor-will-take-unilateral-action-to-restore-historic-wetland-in-lahaina/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=Civilbeat |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219062657/https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/04/hawaii-governor-will-take-unilateral-action-to-restore-historic-wetland-in-lahaina/ |url-status=live}}

Japan pledged $2 million of aid, with $1.5 million given to the American Red Cross and $500,000 given to the Tokyo-based nonprofit organization Japan Platform.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Japan to give Hawaii $2 million in aid after deadly wildfires |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/17/japan/hawaii-fire-japan-aid/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Japan Times |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161208/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/08/17/japan/hawaii-fire-japan-aid/ |url-status=live }}

South Korea pledged $2 million of aid in support relief efforts. The pledge included a $1.5 million donation to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and $500,000 of supplies purchased from local Korean markets.{{Cite web |last=Knodell |first=Kevin |date=2023-08-14 |title=South Korea pledges $2M in aid relief to Maui |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/14/breaking-news/south-korea-pledges-2m-in-aid-relief-to-maui/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161210/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/14/breaking-news/south-korea-pledges-2m-in-aid-relief-to-maui/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Republic of Korea donates $2 million to Maui recovery and relief efforts {{!}} Maui Now |url=https://mauinow.com/2023/08/16/republic-of-korea-donates-2-million-to-maui-recovery-and-relief-efforts/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website={{!}} Republic of Korea donates $2 million to Maui recovery and relief efforts |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161209/https://mauinow.com/2023/08/16/republic-of-korea-donates-2-million-to-maui-recovery-and-relief-efforts/ |url-status=live }}

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Honolulu announced a $500,000 cash donation to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation to support relief efforts.{{Cite web |first=Kevin |last=Knodell |date=2023-08-19 |title=South Korea and Taiwan support for Maui relief effort |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/19/hawaii-news/south-korea-and-taiwan-support-for-maui-relief-effort/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824161210/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/08/19/hawaii-news/south-korea-and-taiwan-support-for-maui-relief-effort/ |url-status=live }}

A container city on the island of Maui is being built from foldable container units.{{Cite web |title=A container city on the island of Maui is being built from foldable container units – CONTINEST {{!}} Space to go |url=https://www.continest.com/a-container-city-on-the-island-of-maui-is-being-built-from-foldable-container-units/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=www.continest.com}}

Due to multiple GoFundMe fundraising efforts for those that were affected by the fires, the site put together a hub to gather all of the verified fundraisers, and added that by August 18 there had been more than 250,000 donors and $30 million raised through the site for those affected.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Jessa |date=2023-08-18 |title=GoFundMes set up for Maui wildfire victims |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/gofundmes-set-up-for-maui-wildfire-victims |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=KTUL |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224314/https://ktul.com/news/local/gofundmes-set-up-for-maui-wildfire-victims |url-status=live }} Other organizations, communities and businesses across the United States held donation drives and fundraisers where proceeds and the items would be donated to specific nonprofits or groups.{{Cite web |last1=Breijo |first1=Stephanie |last2=Brewer |first2=Camryn |date=2023-08-14 |title=Looking to support victims of the Maui fires? Start with these L.A. restaurants |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2023-08-14/want-to-donate-to-lahaina-fire-relief-efforts-start-with-these-l-a-restaurants |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819010946/https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2023-08-14/want-to-donate-to-lahaina-fire-relief-efforts-start-with-these-l-a-restaurants |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-19 |title=Cape Fear radio station launches fundraiser for Maui, over $16K already raised |url=https://portcitydaily.com/community-and-events/2023/08/19/cape-fear-radio-station-launches-fundraiser-for-maui-over-16k-already-raised/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Port City Daily |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819224814/https://portcitydaily.com/community-and-events/2023/08/19/cape-fear-radio-station-launches-fundraiser-for-maui-over-16k-already-raised/ |url-status=live }} All twelve professional sports teams from the Los Angeles area donated $450,000 to relief efforts.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/all-12-professional-los-angeles-sports-teams-combine-to-donate-to-maui-fire-relief/3208060/ | title=All 12 professional Los Angeles sports teams combine to donate to Maui fire relief | date=August 18, 2023 | access-date=August 21, 2023 | archive-date=August 21, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821023103/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/all-12-professional-los-angeles-sports-teams-combine-to-donate-to-maui-fire-relief/3208060/ | url-status=live }} In addition, proceeds from the October 8 preseason game at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz will go towards the Maui Strong Fund.{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=Andy |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Utah Jazz to play preseason game in Hawaii, donate to Maui wildfire fund |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2023/08/23/jazz-hold-preseason-training-camp/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830092316/https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2023/08/23/jazz-hold-preseason-training-camp/ |url-status=live }}

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Archives has uploaded items to their digitization project relevant to Lahaina's history such as photos, journals, drawings, and letters to aid in the recovery of historic sites.{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Mark |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Archivists collect images of historic Lahaina to ensure community's rich past is never forgotten |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/09/12/archivists-collect-images-historic-lahaina-ensure-communitys-rich-past-is-never-forgotten/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=Hawaii News Now |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916083213/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/09/12/archivists-collect-images-historic-lahaina-ensure-communitys-rich-past-is-never-forgotten/ |url-status=live }}

A lack of adequate warning and preparation has also come into focus.{{Cite news |last1=Honderich |first1=Holly |last2=Matza |first2=Max |date=2023-08-14 |title=When a 'fire hurricane' hit, Maui's warning sirens never sounded |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66492414 |access-date=2023-08-16 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816004329/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66492414 |url-status=live }} Despite Hawaii's advanced integrated outdoor siren warning system, on Maui, 80 of these sirens, designed for tsunamis and other disasters, remained silent as the fires burned. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency attributed the lack of activation to the fires' rapid progression and existing ground response coordination. And while residents received other alerts, such as mobile phone notifications, the intensity and urgency of these messages were deemed insufficient.{{Cite web |last1=Boone |first1=Rebecca |last2=Kelleher |first2=Jennifer Sinco |last3=McAvoy |first3=Audrey |date=2023-08-12 |title=In deadly Maui wildfires, communication failed. Chaos overtook Lahaina along with the flames |url=https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-lahaina-wildfire-warnings-sirens-chaos-f4bb9bb77c093ac8ff16440b54ade4a6 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815215056/https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-lahaina-wildfire-warnings-sirens-chaos-f4bb9bb77c093ac8ff16440b54ade4a6 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Ray |date=2023-08-12 |title=Hawaii has a robust emergency siren warning system. It sat silent during the deadly wildfires |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/us/hawaii-emergency-warning-system-maui-wildfires/index.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813065040/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/us/hawaii-emergency-warning-system-maui-wildfires/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Juliana |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Could sirens have made a difference against the Maui fires? Experts say it's unclear |website=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/14/1193661132/a-history-of-hawaiis-sirens-and-the-difference-it-could-have-made-against-maui-f |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816004337/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/14/1193661132/a-history-of-hawaiis-sirens-and-the-difference-it-could-have-made-against-maui-f |url-status=live }} At least one analyst compared them unfavorably to high-priority tsunami warnings, suggesting a possible alarm fatigue among residents, where frequent, less urgent alerts can diminish the perceived significance of real threats. The administrator of the Maui County Emergency Management Agency, Herman Andaya, defended the decision not to activate the emergency sirens in an August 16 press conference; he argued that the outdoor sirens exist only on the coastline and are normally used to warn residents to flee tsunamis by heading to the mountainside, which would have sent them straight into the fire.{{Cite news |last=Baio |first=Ariana |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Maui officials defend decision to not sound outdoor sirens as wildfires approached |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/maui-wildfires-officials-sirens-hawaii-b2394873.html |access-date=2023-08-18 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818081056/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/maui-wildfires-officials-sirens-hawaii-b2394873.html |url-status=live }} Andaya resigned the next day effective immediately, citing health reasons.{{Cite news |author= |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Head of Maui emergency management resigns after defending decision not to activate sirens |work=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/18/embattled-head-maui-emergency-management-agency-resigns-citing-health-reasons/?fbclid=IwAR2qDeqNnJAbFcqtMNydaLNISNzoH_161aI3ygLu5yZaWIznmTP4wzig9mA |access-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819102638/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/18/embattled-head-maui-emergency-management-agency-resigns-citing-health-reasons/ |url-status=live }}

The Lahaina wildfires also exposed gaps in the state's wildfire preparedness. In a 2021 report, Hawaii officials ranked wildfire risk as "low" despite increasing fire acreage and dangers from drought and non-native grasses. The report criticized inadequate funding and lack of fire prevention strategies. Previous wildfires served as a warning, but risks were not adequately addressed. Hawaii's fire management budgets had not kept pace with growing threats, according to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. Non-native, flammable grasses remained widespread, increasing fire risk. The climatologist Abby Frazier emphasized Hawaii's extreme wildfire vulnerability and called for more serious fire prevention efforts. The 2021 Maui County report had recommended fire hazard risk assessment and replacing non-native grasses, but it is unclear if these recommendations were implemented.{{cite news |last1=Kevany |first1=Sophie |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Non-native grass species blamed for ferocity of Hawaii wildfires |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/16/non-native-grass-species-blamed-for-ferocity-of-hawaii-wildfires |access-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817234842/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/16/non-native-grass-species-blamed-for-ferocity-of-hawaii-wildfires |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Isabelle |last2=Bronstein |first2=Scott |last3=Tolan |first3=Casey |last4=Gordon |first4=Allison |date=August 13, 2023 |title=Hawaii underestimated the deadly threat of wildfire, records show |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/us/hawaii-wildfire-threat-invs/index.html |access-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812205922/https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/us/hawaii-wildfire-threat-invs/index.html |url-status=live }}

A state official for the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources delayed the request of the release of water by the West Maui Land Co. to protect its holdings until it was too late.{{Cite web |last=Yerton |first=Stewart |date=August 15, 2023 |title=A State Official Refused To Release Water For West Maui Fires Until It Was Too Late |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/a-state-official-refused-to-release-water-for-west-maui-fires-until-it-was-too-late/ |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816111622/https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/a-state-official-refused-to-release-water-for-west-maui-fires-until-it-was-too-late/ |url-status=live }} In early September, it was reported that residents of numerous communities around the state of Hawaii had become deeply worried about the risk of losing their own homes to wildfires, after seeing how Lahaina had been so suddenly destroyed.{{cite news |last1=Fears |first1=Darryl |last2=Chiu |first2=Allyson |last3=Izadi |first3=Elahe |title=Hawaii residents fear 'the next catastrophe' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/09/02/maui-fires-hawaii-emergency-response/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 2, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903113913/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/09/02/maui-fires-hawaii-emergency-response/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Timothy |title=Communities across Hawaii wary of becoming 'the next Lahaina' |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/09/10/hawaii-news/communities-across-hawaii-wary-of-becoming-the-next-lahaina/ |access-date=September 10, 2023 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=September 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911020021/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/09/10/hawaii-news/communities-across-hawaii-wary-of-becoming-the-next-lahaina/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2024, Hawaiian Electric implemented its first public safety power shutoff plan (PSPS) by identifying fire-prone areas on each island whose history of fires, winds, dry vegetation levels and other factors put them at risk. A PSPS might be issued because of drought, high winds (40-50 mph) and low humidity by broadcasting messages on the PSPS at least 24 hrs. in advance.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Alina |title=Hawaiian Electric program to cut power during wildfire risk |url=https://www.khon2.com/local-news/hawaiian-electric-program-to-cut-power-during-wildfire-risk/ |website=KHON2.com |publisher=Nexstar Media Group |date=28 July 2024}} In the rest of the US wildfire vulnerable areas, particularly in California, PSPS plans have been implemented .{{cite web |last1=Gomes |first1=Andrew |title=Hawaiian Electric Plans Power Shutoffs to Prevent Wildfires |url=https://www.govtech.com/em/safety/hawaiian-electric-plans-power-shutoffs-to-prevent-wildfires |website=GovTech |publisher=e.Republic LLC |language=en |date=31 May 2024}} Hawaiian Electric also began the installation of 52 weather stations on four islands: 23 on Maui, 15 on Hawai’i Island, 12 on O‘ahu and two on Moloka‘I in fire- susceptible areas to more effectively predict and react to wildfires. The solar-powered stations provide temperature, humidity and wind data that will help determine whether the utility should actuate a public safety power shutoff (PSPS). The meteorological data will be shared with the National Weather Service and other weather forecasters to better predict fire risks state-wide. About half of the $1.7 million invested in the project will be paid through the US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.{{cite web |title=Hawaiian Electric begins install of weather stations in wildfire-prone areas statewide {{!}} Big Island Now |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2024/07/27/hawaiian-electric-begins-install-of-weather-stations-in-wildfire-prone-areas-statewide/ |website=Big Island NOW |publisher=Pacific Media Group |date=27 July 2024}}

Following the fires, a variety of conspiracy theories about them were posted to social media, notably by far-right conspiracy theorist Stew Peters. Some contained doctored images or images and videos of other unrelated events presented as being from the fires, often ostensibly demonstrating that a directed-energy weapon or "space laser" was involved.{{Cite news |last=Phan |first=Karena |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Old photos are being misrepresented online to fuel a conspiracy theory about the Maui wildfires |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-maui-fire-photos-misrepresented-conspiracy-555091357957 |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814232748/https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-maui-fire-photos-misrepresented-conspiracy-555091357957 |archive-date=August 14, 2023}}{{cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Maui truthers are so dumb they're using a Falcon 9 photo as wildfire evidence |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/how-a-5-year-old-spacex-photo-fueled-maui-wildfire-conspiracy-theorists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815232558/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/how-a-5-year-old-spacex-photo-fueled-maui-wildfire-conspiracy-theorists/ |archive-date=August 15, 2023 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Ars Technica |publisher= |quote=The US Navy uses high-energy lasers to emit photons that can produce measurable physical damage. But there is no powerful capability like this in space, let alone something that could damage or destroy targets on Earth. To believe this is the case, one would have to fundamentally misunderstand the power needs in space for such a weapon and the power capabilities of existing satellites today.}}{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Bill |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Hawaii wildfires prompt conspiracy theories about directed energy weapons |work=AFP USA |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/hawaii-wildfires-prompt-conspiracy-theories-191759048.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824143604/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/hawaii-wildfires-prompt-conspiracy-theories-191759048.html }}{{Cite web |last=J |first=Ishita Goel |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Why do conspiracy theorists link directed energy weapons to disasters? |url=https://www.logicallyfacts.com/en/analysis/why-do-conspiracy-theorists-link-directed-energy-weapons-to-disasters |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Logically |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929083232/https://www.logicallyfacts.com/en/analysis/why-do-conspiracy-theorists-link-directed-energy-weapons-to-disasters |url-status=live }} There have also been mentions of famous individuals' estates in Hawaii that have not been damaged from the fires, prompting unsubstantiated accusations of blame.{{Cite news |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |date=2023-08-30 |title=Falsehoods Follow Close Behind This Summer's Natural Disasters |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/business/media/maui-idalia-disinformation-climate-change.html |access-date=2023-08-30 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830155306/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/business/media/maui-idalia-disinformation-climate-change.html |url-status=live }} Other posts have claimed that wildfires do not occur naturally or that vegetation is not left standing in a natural fire.{{Cite news |last1=Sardarizadeh |first1=Shayan |last2=Wendling |first2=Mike |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Hawaii wildfires: 'Directed energy weapon' and other false claims go viral |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66457091 |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814224838/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66457091 |archive-date=August 14, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Fichera |first=Angelo |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Trees and poles standing amid Maui fire wreckage aren't unusual, contrary to conspiracy theories |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-maui-wildfires-trees-poles-standing-944458337667 |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815022317/https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-maui-wildfires-trees-poles-standing-944458337667 |archive-date=August 15, 2023}} Real Raw News, a fake news website, promoted falsehoods about U.S. Marines attacking a FEMA convoy fleeing the wildfires{{Cite web |last=Funke |first=Daniel |date=2023-08-25 |title=Federal responders in Hawaii targeted by social media disinformation |url=https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33RZ2FJ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Agence France-Presse |language=en |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906131645/https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33RZ2FJ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=McCreary |first=Joedy |date=August 25, 2023 |title='Completely false' claim Marines attacked FEMA convoy fleeing Maui wildfires {{!}} Fact check |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/08/25/no-marines-did-not-attack-fema-convoy-fleeing-maui-fires-fact-check/70670830007/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} and arresting FEMA deputy administrator Erik Hooks.{{Cite web |last=LaMagdeleine |first=Izz Scott |date=2023-08-23 |title=No, FEMA's Erik Hooks Wasn't Arrested in Aftermath of Maui Wildfires |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fema-erik-hooks/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Snopes |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826074518/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fema-erik-hooks/ |url-status=live }}

Researchers from Microsoft, Recorded Future, the RAND Corporation, NewsGuard and the University of Maryland found that a Chinese government-directed disinformation campaign used the disaster to attempt to sow discord in the US.{{Cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Myers |first2=Steven Lee |date=2023-09-11 |title=China Sows Disinformation About Hawaii Fires Using New Techniques |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/11/us/politics/china-disinformation-ai.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911205049/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/11/us/politics/china-disinformation-ai.html |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Recorded Future first reported that the Chinese government mounted a covert campaign to blame a “weather weapon” for the fires, identifying numerous posts in mid-August falsely claiming that MI6, the British foreign intelligence service, had revealed “the amazing truth behind the wildfire.” Posts with the exact language appeared on social media sites across the internet, including Pinterest, Tumblr, Medium and Pixiv, a Japanese site used by artists.}} Lahaina residents were discouraged from going to the agencies for assistance by disinformation from people who regularly spread Russian propaganda.{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mahealani |date=2023-09-14 |title=Tech companies: Lahaina misinformation online seeks to sow division, distrust on the ground |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/09/14/big-tech-congress-social-media-try-battle-war-online/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Hawaii News Now |language=en}}

{{Portal|Hawaii}}

• 2023 Canadian wildfires
• 2023 Greece wildfires
• List of wildfires in the United States
• Wildfires in the United States
• Utility-caused wildfires

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |url=https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2308060_Sixth-Proclamation-Relating-to-Wildfires-signed.pdf |title=Sixth Proclamation Relating to Wildfires |date=August 19, 2023 |author=Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii}}
• {{cite press release |title=Maui Wildfire Disaster Unaccounted for |website=Maui Nui Strong |date=August 24, 2023 |url=https://www.mauinuistrong.info/unaccountedfor |author=County of Maui}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/august-2023-wildfires/ August 2023 Wildfires] | Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• [https://www.mauicounty.gov/ Maui Wildfire Disaster — Government and Community Response] | County of Maui, Hawaii
• [https://www.mauinuistrong.info/support Support for Maui Wildfire Relief] | Maui Nui Strong (County of Maui)
• {{cite episode|title=Maui's Deadly Firestorm|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=December 17, 2024|season=43|number=8|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/mauis-deadly-firestorm/|access-date=December 18, 2024}}

{{2023 wildfires|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawaii wildfires, 2023}}

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:August 2023 in the United States

Category:History of Hawaii (island)

Category:History of Maui

Category:History of Oahu

Category:Lahaina, Hawaii

Category:Lists of wildfires in the United States

Category:Natural disasters in Hawaii