maui wildfires
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Credit: Donnahayden/Big Stock Photo
Maui residents struggle with health issues months after devastating fires
Months following the catastrophic fire in Lahaina, Maui, residents are facing serious health complications, including respiratory problems and psychological distress, while grappling with inadequate medical resources.
In short:
- The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study reveals a strong correlation between exposure to fire debris and adverse health outcomes.
- Local health services are overwhelmed, with significant increases in reported cases of depression and anxiety among the affected residents.
- Access to healthcare has deteriorated, impacting particularly Native Hawaiians and other minority communities in the region.
Key quote:
"You can see it in the data. We are capturing a broad insight into exposures and issues that no one has done before."
— Ruben Juarez, professor of health economics
Why this matters:
These struggles are a reminder of the long-term health consequences that can follow natural disasters, especially in areas not sufficiently equipped to handle their immediate impacts or their lingering aftermath.
Related EHN coverage:
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Hawaiian Electric is severely underinsured to pay victims of August’s deadly Maui wildfire and repair its own damaged infrastructure, according to a filing with state regulators this week, raising questions over how it could cover billions of dollars in claims if it is found liable for starting the blaze.
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Planting native flora could help prevent the island's next wildfire and reconnect Mauians to their cultural heritage.
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Maui County has sued Hawaiian Electric Company over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.
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The fight over Maui’s water rights has intensified after deadly fire
Native Hawaiians say the tragedy is being used as a pretext to roll back their gains in securing water supplies.
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A lesson from Maui: Wildfire risk affects us cities and towns everywhere
Experts like Kimiko Barrett say there are profound lessons in the historic fires for communities across the US, where far more dollars are spent putting out flames than preventing them.
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