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Environment

Fast-Growing And Fire-Resistant Grasses Are Flourishing In Hawaii Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2023

Fast-Growing And Fire-Resistant Grasses Are Flourishing In Hawaii

Grass from East Indian sugarcane to African Guinea grass have been introduced to Hawaii for centuries, predating the state's increased risk of wildfire.

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found On Maui David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found On Maui

The beetle was found dead in a bag of compost at a Maui big box store during routine survey work.

Hawaii Needs To Build Hundreds More Miles Of Firebreaks To Protect Against Wildfire Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii Needs To Build Hundreds More Miles Of Firebreaks To Protect Against Wildfire

Fire officials and landowners have known for years about gaps in Hawaii's firebreaks and fuelbreaks. The problem boils down to money and cooperation.

Going Home To Lahaina Won’t Happen Anytime Soon For Many Fire Victims David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Going Home To Lahaina Won’t Happen Anytime Soon For Many Fire Victims

Clearing toxic debris from the fires is a complex task that makes even getting back to survey destroyed structures a complicated process.

Maui’s Fire And Winds Also Took A Toll On Farmers And Ranchers David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Maui’s Fire And Winds Also Took A Toll On Farmers And Ranchers

The state's ag industry mobilized to provide aid and the state bought feed, but ranchers need rain to grow grass soon.

Polihale Park Is Poised For A $4.3 Million Makeover Brittany Lyte/Civil Beat/2023

Polihale Park Is Poised For A $4.3 Million Makeover

The remote park that is the site of Native Hawaiian burials and a popular camping spot has suffered years of neglect.

Lahaina Was A Wakeup Call, But Forecasters Say Above Normal Fire Risk Remains David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Lahaina Was A Wakeup Call, But Forecasters Say Above Normal Fire Risk Remains

Self-preservation backed up by stringent building codes can significantly limit the potential for fire damage.

Toxic Debris From The Lahaina Fire Will Be Shipped To The Mainland Provided: Dominick Del Vecchio

Toxic Debris From The Lahaina Fire Will Be Shipped To The Mainland

The contaminated waste includes a unique Hawaii building material made of sugarcane fiber and termite poison.

Race Underway To Glue Down The Lahaina Fire’s Toxic Ash Before Rains Wash It Into The Ocean Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Race Underway To Glue Down The Lahaina Fire’s Toxic Ash Before Rains Wash It Into The Ocean

Residents are also trying to safeguard Upcountry homes from the increased chance of dangerous mudslides.