Discussion of Community Disaster Plans Given the Recent Wildfire Devastation in Maui

Fires in Kula, Lahaina and Pulehu/Kihei in Maui started Tuesday, August 9 and burned through the next day Wednesday, August 10 according to the reported timeline. A week after the major devastation of Lahaina, Maui County officials say the Upcountry/Kula fire is about 65% contained and the Lahaina fire is 85% contained. Other fires that had been burning last week on Maui were fully contained or extinguished. Most people found dead had been out in the open, in cars or in the water in Lahaina. As of Monday, August 14, 25% of the fire zone has been searched. The deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than 100 years, officials have confirmed that at least 99 people died. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier expects the search to have covered 85-90% of the burned structures, neighborhoods and area by the end of the week. Given the devastation in Hawaii, the International Organization of Migration considers translation (English to Marshallese) of Community Disaster Plan for urban areas in the RMI.