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Why Are the Hawaii Wildfires a Serious Turning Point?
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Key Topics You'll Learn About in This Article
- A breakdown on the series of events of the August 2023 Hawaii Wildfires
- How wildfires impact regions with a deep culture and history like Hawaii
- How we can avoid wildfires moving forward to protect beloved places like Hawaii
When we think of Hawaii, more often than not – a dreamy tropical vacation comes to mind: complete with coconuts, leis, snorkeling, hiking, and beachside dinners. Unfortunately, the state of Hawaii hasn’t been much of a dream vacation destination for many – but more like a nightmare out of a horror movie.
In early August 2023, wildfires started to break out across the state – but predominantly on the island of Maui: known for less tourism and more tranquil vacations over the populated Oahu and capital Honolulu.
In this article, we’ll explore the current wildfires in Hawaii, what caused them, what the state can do moving forward to protect itself from the effects of climate change – and why the current wildfires in Hawaii are a serious turning point.
What is the Usual Climate in Hawaii?
Hawaii never really gets cold, making it a desirable destination for many – with daytime summer temperatures averaging to be 85° F (or around 30° C), and daytime winter temperatures peaking at 78° F (or around 25° C).
The island of Hawaii, roughly a five hour flight from mainland USA – resides in the Pacific Ocean with a unique combination of mountains, beaches, and tropical vegetation that attracts tourists for a warm getaway year-round.
There are five main islands on Hawaii:
🌺
Kauai
🏄♂️
Oahu
🧘♀️
Molokai
⛳
Maui
🌋
Big Island
Unlike its closest neighbor state of California, Hawaii is known for more humid temperatures – often making it feel hotter on the island than it already is, but it is important to note that not all areas of Hawaii are humid. Many of the islands also have a dry side, meaning that Hawaii isn’t only prone to hurricanes – but wildfires.
How Did the Wildfires Happen in Maui and Hawaii?
The wildfires in Hawaii occurred as a result of a combination of downed power lines and a series of untimely events that, literally, fueled the fire.
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Timeline of Events for Wildfires in Hawaii
Below is an exact breakdown of how the wildfires in Hawaii, specifically in Maui back in August 2023, got as bad as they did due to a sensitive timeline.
1. August 7th 2023 🌬️
Started with residents and tourists in Hawaii alike being warned about dangerous winds approaching the island.
2. Hurricane Dora Accelerates 🌪️
One natural disaster helped fuel the other in the event of the Hawaiian wildfires,
with Hurricane Dora traveling at speeds upwards of 130 miles per hour – the category 4 storm helped create brutal winds that eventually helped the wildfire spread.
3. August 8th 2023 🔥
News broke in the early morning that a brush fire had started in the area of Kula near Olinda Road, Maui – later being called the “Upcountry Fire.” Later, two more wildfires would break out: the “West Maui wildfire” and “South Maui wildfire.”
4. Hurricane Winds Worsen the Blaze 🌬️
Strong winds from Hurricane Dora that spread all the way to the historic area of Lahaina made it even more difficult to completely put out the already raging wildfire.
5. August 9th 2023 🚁
By this point,
the available water supply to put out the wildfires spreading across Maui was dwindling – resulting in explosions and an official evacuation warning to be noticed. Helicopters arrived in Maui to help the firefighters in Lahaina, as the authorities began announcing casualties – first six, then 36 by the end of the day.
6. August 10th 2023 🧯
By this date, the
wildfires in Lahaina were reported to have been 80% contained, and the additional fires in Pulehu and Kihei had reached 70% containment.
7. August 11th 2023 🕯️
The death toll had risen to 67 people. Reports began to circulate that Maui authorities failed to use warning sirens during the incident, leading many to believe some deaths could have been prevented. Officials later confirmed that the sirens were not sounded, fearing they would be mistaken for a tsunami alert—prompting people to flee to higher ground where the wildfires were coming from.
What Caused the Wildfires in Maui?
Wildfires have been happening in Hawaii for a long time, but in combination with rising temperatures and drier conditions – more numerous and deadly wildfires are inevitable, which has been shown with the recent wildfires in Maui.
Ultimately, the wildfires in Hawaii happened due to increasingly hot and drought-like weather conditions – and as the main components of any wildfire are dryness and a source where the fire starts. For Hawaii, that source is grass – as the islands are known to be home to lush vegetation.
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The Impact of the Maui Wildfires Across Hawaii
There were insufferable consequences as a result of the wildfires that occurred across Hawaii in Maui, with 102 lives lost from the wildfires.
Here's a breakdown of the various ways in which the Maui wildfires have affected Hawaii:
Emotional & Cultural Impact
While Maui is known by many as nothing more than a tourist attraction, it is home to many – with the island holding a rich history and culture for natives that now suffer from post-traumatic stress having seen their homes catch on fire and burn to the ground. The community will now not only have to literally rebuild, but also mentally recuperate after the devastating loss of their lush island, family members, and historic landmarks.
Economic Impact
Currently, it is estimated that it will cost around $5.52 billion dollars to rebuild Maui after the damage done by the recent wildfires.
This puts economic strain on an island that largely depends on tourism to boost its economy, something likely to be halted in the foreseeable future while the island deals with the aftermath of its recent natural disaster.
Impact on Air Quality
Something else the entire state of Hawaii is likely to deal with following the wildfires in Maui is decreased air quality, which is similar to what happened across the United States following the Canadian wildfires. This decrease in air quality could lead to further strain on health insurance companies across the state, leading to added financial consequences for Hawaii.
The drop down sections below will reveal additional ways that Maui and Hawaii as a whole were impacted by the August 2023 wildfires:
🌱 Loss of Native Vegetation ▸
Wildfires scorched native Hawaiian plants and forest ecosystems, making way for invasive species and disrupting biodiversity that has evolved over centuries.
💧 Water System Disruption ▸
Damage to water catchment and distribution systems led to contamination risks, limited supply for firefighting, and long-term strain on infrastructure.
🔌 Power Grid Strain ▸
Fires destroyed key electrical infrastructure, leading to prolonged outages and raising questions about how to make Hawaii's grid more resilient to climate-driven disasters.
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Can Hawaii Handle Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters?
No, Hawaii isn't the most equipped for natural disasters such as wildfires.
In fact, a recent study by the University of Hawaii West Oahu revealed that most people residing in the state of Hawaii are not prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Seeing as Hawaii is prone to flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, and even volcanic eruptions – this is a cause for concern.
The summary cards below will explain how Hawaii is prone to each of these natural disasters and how it could be challenging for Hawaii to protect itself if each and any of them should occur:
🌧️ Flooding
Heavy rainfall and tropical storms frequently lead to flash floods in Hawaii, overwhelming local infrastructure. Limited road access and island geography complicate recovery and emergency response efforts.
🌀 Hurricanes
Though rare, hurricanes like Iniki have devastated parts of Hawaii. With limited evacuation routes and supply chains, recovery after such storms can be slow and costly for isolated island communities.
🔥 Wildfires
As seen in the 2023 Maui fires, drought and invasive grasses have made Hawaii increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. Limited firefighting resources and remote terrain hinder rapid containment and recovery.
🌊 Tsunamis
Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Hawaii is exposed to tsunamis triggered by distant or local earthquakes. High coastal populations make evacuation challenging and post-disaster rebuilding complex.
🌎 Earthquakes
Seismic activity, especially near the Big Island, threatens infrastructure and can spark secondary disasters like tsunamis or landslides. Emergency preparedness varies by island and remains underfunded.
🌋 Volcanic Eruptions
With five active volcanoes, Hawaii is no stranger to eruptions. Lava flows and toxic gases can displace entire communities, and volcanic damage is often excluded from standard insurance coverage.
Which Wildfire Was the Deadliest?
The wildfires across Maui are now considered to be the deadliest wildfire in modern history.
In fact, even in comparison to the recent 2025 Los Angeles wildfires in the Palisades – the wildfires in Maui were still more destructive.
The battle cards below will break down the differences between the Maui and Palisades wildfires:
🌺🔥🌴 Maui (Lahaina) Wildfire – August 2023
☠️ 100+ lives lost – deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century
📆 August 2023
🏚️ Lahaina, Maui – historic town almost entirely destroyed
💔 Deep cultural impact leaving families without homes and traditions they've had for generations
📦 Difficulty to secure resources to help recover following the fires
🏆 Deadliest modern U.S. wildfire — still holds that title today
☀️🔥🌁 Palisades + Eaton Wildfires
🕯️ 31 confirmed deaths (combined total)
📆 January 2025
🌄 Palisades + 🌫️ Eaton Canyon (L.A. County) – ~12,000 structures destroyed
🎥 Widespread media coverage and notable support during the 2025 Grammy Awards
💸 Among California’s most costly wildfires, but not the deadliest
Hawaii’s Disaster Preparedness: A Closer Look
After the loss of so many lives, homes, and many being left with a barren homeland – a valid question comes to mind: is Hawaii prepared to prevent another modern tragedy?
Well, one of the evident challenges of a natural disaster like a wildfire or hurricane occurring in Hawaii is how far out the islands are. Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii – it is around 5.5 hours from California, 7 hours from Japan, and 10 hours from Australia via airplane. This makes it hard for Hawaii to have rescue support sent to the state in the event of a dire emergency such as the recent wildfires.
According to the study from the University of Hawaii West Oahu, many Hawaiian households are not equipped with sufficient amounts of food, water, and medicine. This unawareness to the importance of natural disaster preparedness insinuates that the Hawaiian authorities have not done a good job educating its residents on the importance of remaining prepared in addition to the overall likelihood of natural disasters in Hawaii.
The overview cards below will summarize why Hawaii may struggle if another natural disaster is to occur:
🌋🌪️🌊
Multiple Hazards
Hawaii is vulnerable to wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes — making disaster planning extremely complex.
✈️🌴
Remote Location
Hawaii is thousands of miles from the mainland, delaying outside aid and supply deliveries during emergencies.
🏠🚱
Limited Supplies
Many Hawaiian homes lack basic emergency kits with food, water, and medical supplies — a major risk in extended disasters.
🏥🧯
Strained Infrastructure
Hospitals, fire services, and shelters are limited across the islands and could quickly become overwhelmed after a major disaster.
🛣️🚗
Challenging Terrain
Mountains, lava fields, and limited road access make it harder to evacuate residents or deliver emergency aid quickly.
🌱💸
Economic Vulnerability
Hawaii’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which collapses during disasters — making recovery and funding more difficult.
Ultimately, the recent wildfires in Hawaii are a serious turning point as it reveals to the state how imperative it is to have a proper natural disaster preparedness plan in addition to an effective evacuation plan – both of which have not been demonstrated well, and are even receiving backlash following the wildfires in Maui.
The wildfires in Hawaii reveal a longstanding problem in the U.S., and that is policymakers failing to invest in natural disaster preparedness before they happen. In other words, it's costing the U.S. more money in the long-run to have to pay for the damages on the spot.
How Can Hawaii Prevent Wildfires in the Future?
Hawaii can work to prevent wildfires in the future by developing effective, preventative measures – such as vegetation management and improved evacuation plans.
As Hawaii, particularly Maui, continues to grapple with the aftermath of the wildfires, a great way to provide hope for residents and future generations of Hawaii is to develop a more surefire plan to prevent environmental crises like the recent fires in Maui.
“ It’s exactly what we had feared and expected. – (Pedro Haro, Executive Director, American Lung Association in Hawaii, referring to long-term health impacts from air pollution and smoke exposure after the wildfires.) ”
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Ways to Prevent Future Wildfires in Hawaii
Here's a breakdown of the different ways Hawaii could protect itself from future wildfires:
Improved Vegetation Management
One of the first preventative measures that would do a topography such as Hawaii a world of good would be to implement better vegetation management. This would require monitoring and cleaning out vegetation in high-risk areas for wildfires on a periodic basis to prevent a wildfire from being able to spread at the same instantaneous capacity as the recent wildfires in Maui did.
Boost Natural Disaster Preparedness Education
The state of Hawaii would also benefit from better public awareness and education on how to help reduce the likelihood of wildfires. This includes more signs and broadcasts reminding residents and tourists alike to not leave anything that could create a wildfire unattended until it is out completely.
Develop An Evacuation Plan
The wildfires in Maui revealed a massive flaw in Hawaii’s current evacuation plan – a deleterious lack of early detection and response. Therefore, the state would largely benefit from developing a better method to ensure all residents and tourists are made aware of a rampant wildfire in the future – as many casualties in Maui resulted in a lack of siren warnings to signal people should evacuate immediately.
Keep Emergency Resources on Reserve
Because Hawaii is in a remote location, it can be hard to deliver resources in the midst of a natural disaster – therefore, it is compulsory that the state organizes places to keep reserves of essential resources that are likely to dwindle in the midst of a climate crisis.
Refine Hawaii's Existing Climate Plan
Last but not least, Hawaii could continue to develop its plans to combat climate change altogether – would help prevent incidents like wildfires at the root of the cause.
Ultimately, there doesn’t need to be another modern wildfire as deadly as the ones that have occurred in Maui, and with cooperation from Hawaiian officials and residents alike – we can decrease our chances of making the most devastating kinds of headlines – together.
What About Greenly?
If reading this article about the wildfires in Maui have made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!
Working to protect large bodies of natural land like the island of Maui in Hawaii can be a difficult task in the same way it's hard to manage the effects a large business has on climate change, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Click here to schedule a demo to see how Greenly can help you find ways to improve energy efficiency and decrease the dependency on fossil fuels in your own company.
Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.
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Sources
National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/hfo/climate_summary
The Hawaiian Islands https://www.gohawaii.com/trip-planning/weather
NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/maui-wildfires-timeline-fires-created-chaos-rcna99967
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/15/us/hawaii-maui-lahaina-fire.html
World Vision https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/maui-wildfires-facts-faqs-how-to-help
NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/08/15/1193710165/maui-wildfires-deadliest-us-history
University of Hawaii https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/academics/degrees/public-administration/disaster-preparedness-emergency-management/
Grist https://grist.org/extreme-weather/2023-has-already-broken-the-us-record-for-billion-dollar-climate-disasters/
The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii https://uhero.hawaii.edu/from-crisis-to-recovery-health-and-resilience-two-years-after-the-maui-wildfires/
Environmental Health News https://www.ehn.org/the-maui-fires-may-cause-long-term-health-problems
State of Hawaii Climate Change Portal https://climate.hawaii.gov/hi-mitigation/goals-and-progress/