A quick response to your openers & early summary. Great compilation, btw!
Pertaining to the W Maui closure — which applies to the area beyond, or rather North of, Lahaina:
1) “Governor Green's sixth emergency proclamation, issued on August 19 remains in place, with all nonessential travel to West Maui being strongly discouraged for the duration of the proclamation [👉🏼👉🏼] through October 17, 2023).” — [from the article cited.]
…I agree that it’s vitally important that the W Maui economy get moving as quickly as possible. People need jobs. (’ll verify that — still early Hawaii time to call friend)
My guess is that the infrastructure can’t handle it now. There’s only one road going from the airport to West Maui. Think of two separate islands with a single bridge. In the best of times, this was strained — commuting workers, travelers to & from the airport & lots of rental cars to & from the other side to see & do stuff. Often traffic stalls from —yes, fires— occasional accidents, and daily commutes am & pm. It’s a mess.
For now, a great deal of travel on this vital route would be 1) people from West Maui who must go to the other side for necessities, Dr appointments, family reasons — whatever — & travel back within the allotted time window. This would be on top of 2) all manner of emergency transportation needs relating to the recovery — equipment, personnel, etc.
There is a small airport & some docks also north of Lahaina. But although the Kapalua airport can handle smallish jets, it has a very short runway and can’t handle large transport anything.
I think the restriction is a wise move, but only if it’s temporary.
The destination places (temporarily closed until Oct 17 ,👆🏼) are currently housing emergency workers & mil but also many displaced families. They’re employing many people (including 2 of the 11 people our family home in Napili is hosting). These workers are maids, handymen/maintenence guys, restaurant workers, hotel office workers, gardeners, etc. (Some of whom are now guests in their own places of employment!)
This while some other of our newly homeless friends are trying to piece their businesses together (the biz owner — along with almost all of the people who worked for him — lost EVERYTHING. This situation is widespread.
2) I think it has zilch to do with global warming.
Thanks, so 2 more months, and that can always be extended.
The workers and displaced families are mostly replacing tourists, so if anything West Maui is depopulated compared to normal (albeit with less housing), and my understanding is the highway going through Laihaina is fine.
Obviously, tourists who cant book a room due to lack of availability wont be staying in West Maui beyond day trips
I dont see the need for any more supplies going into West Maui than before the fire at this point, so I guess I don’t see why there should be any restrictions.
As far as recovery, the equipment doesn't need to come and go, just the personnel, and having all those National Guard standing around guarding burned structures seems pointless
You obviously seem closer to the situation in Napili, so maybe I am missing something
My biggest gripe was them not letting West Maui residents returning after getting supplies outside early on, and still not allowing Lahaina residents return to their homes in a controlled fashion.
I’d made a note to get back to you and somehow missed it. I’ll be reading your follow up post & any others. By now, the situation has changed somewhat. I’m ineffably disgusted and dismayed at the manifold abject FAILS surrounding this.
Pete— Your work is so valuable! I’ll be belatedly sharing this & expect to find more like diligence in future.
A quick response to your openers & early summary. Great compilation, btw!
Pertaining to the W Maui closure — which applies to the area beyond, or rather North of, Lahaina:
1) “Governor Green's sixth emergency proclamation, issued on August 19 remains in place, with all nonessential travel to West Maui being strongly discouraged for the duration of the proclamation [👉🏼👉🏼] through October 17, 2023).” — [from the article cited.]
…I agree that it’s vitally important that the W Maui economy get moving as quickly as possible. People need jobs. (’ll verify that — still early Hawaii time to call friend)
My guess is that the infrastructure can’t handle it now. There’s only one road going from the airport to West Maui. Think of two separate islands with a single bridge. In the best of times, this was strained — commuting workers, travelers to & from the airport & lots of rental cars to & from the other side to see & do stuff. Often traffic stalls from —yes, fires— occasional accidents, and daily commutes am & pm. It’s a mess.
For now, a great deal of travel on this vital route would be 1) people from West Maui who must go to the other side for necessities, Dr appointments, family reasons — whatever — & travel back within the allotted time window. This would be on top of 2) all manner of emergency transportation needs relating to the recovery — equipment, personnel, etc.
There is a small airport & some docks also north of Lahaina. But although the Kapalua airport can handle smallish jets, it has a very short runway and can’t handle large transport anything.
I think the restriction is a wise move, but only if it’s temporary.
The destination places (temporarily closed until Oct 17 ,👆🏼) are currently housing emergency workers & mil but also many displaced families. They’re employing many people (including 2 of the 11 people our family home in Napili is hosting). These workers are maids, handymen/maintenence guys, restaurant workers, hotel office workers, gardeners, etc. (Some of whom are now guests in their own places of employment!)
This while some other of our newly homeless friends are trying to piece their businesses together (the biz owner — along with almost all of the people who worked for him — lost EVERYTHING. This situation is widespread.
2) I think it has zilch to do with global warming.
— Just my take.
Thanks, so 2 more months, and that can always be extended.
The workers and displaced families are mostly replacing tourists, so if anything West Maui is depopulated compared to normal (albeit with less housing), and my understanding is the highway going through Laihaina is fine.
Obviously, tourists who cant book a room due to lack of availability wont be staying in West Maui beyond day trips
I dont see the need for any more supplies going into West Maui than before the fire at this point, so I guess I don’t see why there should be any restrictions.
As far as recovery, the equipment doesn't need to come and go, just the personnel, and having all those National Guard standing around guarding burned structures seems pointless
You obviously seem closer to the situation in Napili, so maybe I am missing something
My biggest gripe was them not letting West Maui residents returning after getting supplies outside early on, and still not allowing Lahaina residents return to their homes in a controlled fashion.
I’d made a note to get back to you and somehow missed it. I’ll be reading your follow up post & any others. By now, the situation has changed somewhat. I’m ineffably disgusted and dismayed at the manifold abject FAILS surrounding this.
Pete— Your work is so valuable! I’ll be belatedly sharing this & expect to find more like diligence in future.
Thank you for your fine work! God Bless.