Neglected landscapes, weak building standards, and decommissioned dams have left the state more vulnerable to wildfires.

The devastating wildfire in Maui, the deadliest in the United States in over a century, exposes Hawaii’s vulnerabilities in adapting to climate change. The state’s shortcomings include leaving large areas covered in highly flammable invasive grasses, lack of wildfire-resistant building standards, and reduced water storage capacity due to dam shutdowns. While some issues are common across the country, others are specific to Hawaii’s unique challenges. Efforts to block tougher building codes for affordability reasons, inadequate early warning systems, and the loss of water storage exacerbate the situation. Moreover, the proliferation of highly flammable invasive grasses across the state poses a significant risk. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including implementing wildfire-resistant building standards, enhancing early warning systems, expanding water storage capacity, and tackling invasive grasses through land management strategies. Additionally, reimagining land use, such as repurposing idle land for sustainable communities, could offer long-term solutions to mitigate wildfire risks and enhance resilience to climate change in Hawaii.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/climate/hawaii-climate-wildfire-prevention.html