Public Safety

Plans To Improve Lahaina Evacuation Routes Are Slowly Inching Forward Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Plans To Improve Lahaina Evacuation Routes Are Slowly Inching Forward

Nearly three dozen people died trying to escape the Kuhua Camp neighborhood, where the county is now working to extend and widen roadways.

Property Theft Concerns Rise As Lahaina Neighborhoods Reopen Leo Azambuja/Civil Beat/2024

Property Theft Concerns Rise As Lahaina Neighborhoods Reopen

Police offer to help residents set up a neighborhood watch program, but they haven’t rebuilt yet.

The Lahaina Burn Zone Is Coming Back To Life. How To Keep It Safe Is A Work In Progress Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

The Lahaina Burn Zone Is Coming Back To Life. How To Keep It Safe Is A Work In Progress

The Maui Police Department is combining new technology, better equipment and more responsive policies in the aftermath of last year’s fire.

Their Senior Center Burned And Their Friends Died. But These Kupuna Are Moving Forward Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2024

Their Senior Center Burned And Their Friends Died. But These Kupuna Are Moving Forward

More than two-thirds of Maui’s fire victims were over the age of 60. Kupuna are also facing additional challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.

Lahaina Wildfire Death Toll Now At 102 David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Lahaina Wildfire Death Toll Now At 102

A 68-year-old Lahaina woman died in March from injuries sustained in the blaze last summer. But the death is just now being made public.

Law Enforcement Standards Board Selects Its First  Administrator Screenshot

Law Enforcement Standards Board Selects Its First Administrator

The board has two years to implement a range of measures including standardizing training for all Hawaii law enforcement.

Maui Police Chief Gets Glowing Job Review From Commission Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Maui Police Chief Gets Glowing Job Review From Commission

Chief John Pelletier is credited with implementing a five-year strategic plan, something the department lacked when he joined the force in 2021.

Volunteer Firefighters Are  Big On The Mainland. Not So Much In Hawaii Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Volunteer Firefighters Are Big On The Mainland. Not So Much In Hawaii

The ability of fire departments to muster extra help during major wildfires is a critical issue for the state as it grapples with how to prevent another disaster like Lahaina. 

Hawaii’s Firefighting Leaders Share Their Lessons With Officials From Across The World Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii’s Firefighting Leaders Share Their Lessons With Officials From Across The World

Representatives from fire organizations statewide are at a conference this week in Reno about minimizing and managing wildfire threats.