Wildfires in Hawaii, fueled by distant hurricane winds this week, have devastated the island of Maui.  Fire seasons having grown worse over the years because of extreme weather patterns and climate change, have also increased in Hawaii.  Since 2018 through last year, at least 75,107 acres across the islands have been lost to wildfires with recent fires on the Big Island and Maui accounting for 10,000 acres this year. This summer, Hawaii has faced unusually dry conditions.

Wildfire experts explain how such conditions are possible in tropical environments like Hawaii.  Tropical forests clearcut to develop sugarcane and pineapple plantations, now untended, have rapidly grown over with tropical grasslands that burn easily. As Hawaii’s economy has shifted to tourism, many sugar plantations, pineapple farms and ranches have closed, and invasive grasses that burn easily grew densely in the unused fields. In 2008, Maui Land &  Pineapple Inc harvested its last pineapple crop – a yearly average of 92,000 tons –restructured its operations to focus on its Kapalua Resort.

Maui had already been experiencing a moderate to severe-level drought, when wildfires fueled in part by wind gusts up to 80mph from a distant hurricane burned in Lahaina and Kula, starting Tuesday, August 8.

Much of the historic district of the town of Lahaina, Hawaii’s once royal capital, has been destroyed by the fires. The town’s 150-year-old banyan tree, a cherished landmark, appears to have been badly singed and it is unclear whether the tree will survive. Though its roots are healthy, it would have a difficult recovery in an urban environment.  Its leafy canopy had grown to cover more than half an acre. The roof of the old courthouse beside the tree is also gone now, and that the heritage museum inside it had been destroyed.

The Waiola Church was also consumed by the wildfires. Just over 200 years old, the first Christian church on Maui was established in 1823 by the Sacred High Chiefess Keopuolani.  It became the church of the Hawaiian royal family when Lahaina was the capital. Its cemetery is the final resting place for early members of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Now one of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii’s history, the number of casualties in Maui is currently 55. The number of confirmed deaths is expected to increase as emergency workers begin to search the ashy remains of burnt structures. Six emergency shelters are currently open distributing food water, supplies and clothing to displaced residents.

Now one of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii’s history, the number of casualties in Maui is currently 55. The number of confirmed deaths is expected to increase as emergency workers begin to search the ashy remains of burnt structures. Six emergency shelters are currently open distributing food water, supplies and clothing to displaced residents.

Correction: 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.