Maui authorities urge caution for debris and hazardous materials
Gradual opening… It will likely take 3 months for all residents to return.
Some popular beach parks reopen earlier than expected
Some residents of the Lahaina area on Maui, Hawaii, USA, were finally able to return to their homes where a very large fire broke out.
According to foreign media such as CNN and Hawaiian News Now on the 25th (local time), a month after a catastrophic fire swept through Lahaina, wiping out most of the villages on Maui and killing 97 people, Maui authorities said some residents will not be able to return to their homes. allowed to do so.
◆Yeouido’s area burned three times… ‘Warning’ for asbestos and heavy metal debris
Maui authorities posted on the social media channel Facebook that the Lahaina wildfire, which burned 2,170 acres (approximately 8.78 million square meters), has been completely extinguished, but “many risks remain.” The Maui forest fire burned an area three times larger than the area of Yeouido, Seoul (2.9 million square meters).
Maui officials warned on the wildfire recovery website that “fire-damaged areas may still be covered in other hazardous debris, including asbestos, heavy metals, plastic combustion byproducts and other chemicals.”
Officials said residents should be aware of the health risks as trying to clear burning homes could make the situation worse. Improper handling of ash and debris can spread hazardous substances into the air.
◆Gradual opening after risk removal… Plan to provide drinking water, transportation, medical care, etc.
Authorities said they were developing measures to safely eliminate the potential risk.
A Maui authority official said, “The disaster area will be divided into zones and inspected to ensure that residents can safely re-enter, before being opened to residents in stages.”
Maui authorities said that residents allowed to return on the 25th will be provided with support such as drinking water, transportation, medical care, and mental health care.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said last week that “some risks remain, but Hawaiian officials are trying to do everything they need to do for our residents.”
“It could be three months before everyone is fully back in Lahaina,” he said.
◆Open to western tourists on the 8th of next month… Provide shelter for displaced people
Governor Greene noted that some people will return to the places that took the lives of their loved ones. He said, “When residents see what little time is left, they will be sad and fall into great despair.”
The Maui wildfire damaged about 3,000 homes and businesses, causing property damage worth about $4 billion to $6 billion (about 5.35 trillion won to 8 trillion won).
Lahaina’s tourism industry was devastated by the wildfires, and many residents lost their homes and jobs.
Governor Greene said he plans to reopen western Maui to tourists on Oct. 8 and is working to provide long-term housing for more than 7,400 displaced residents.
According to local media outlet Hawaiian News Now, Lahaina’s famous tourist destination, Launiopoco Beach Park, reopened earlier than scheduled last weekend thanks to the efforts of several organizations.
Mayor Richard Bissen said, “Our state parks department staff were instrumental in making Launiopoco Beach Park accessible sooner and more safely than expected. “Now residents can return and enjoy what has been an important park in Lahaina for generations.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.