Native Hawaiians and others from a Maui community devastated by ferocious fire say they worry Hawaii’s governor is moving too quickly rebuild what was lost
August 18, 2023 at 5:56 pm PDTCommunity organizer Tiare Lawrence, second from right, is comforted by Archie Kalepa as they sing a song during a news conference with Lahaina, Hawaii, residents affected by a deadly wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. LAHAINA, Hawaii — — Native Hawaiians and others from a Maui community devastated by ferocious fire said Friday they worry Hawaii's governor is moving too quickly to rebuild what was lost while the grief is still raw.
“The governor should not rush to rebuild the community without first giving people time to heal, especially without including the community itself in the planning,” she said. “Fast-track development cannot come at the cost of community control.” There was no word Friday on who would replace the Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator who abruptly resigned after defending a decision not to sound outdoor sirens during the fire.
While crews sifted through ashes and rubble in Lahaina, scenes of normalcy continued in other parts of Maui, even if the tragedy hung heavy over the island. Six forensic anthropologists with the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency are assisting in, the Pentagon said in a statement Friday. The group is experienced in verifying DNA from long-lost service members, many of whom died as long ago as World War II.
“He was trying to be strong and trying to do the job," Arakawa said about the wildfire response."He was very, very heartbroken about all the things that happened.”
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