Maui County
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Population | 166,260 (2017) |
|---|---|
| County seat | Wailuku |
| Points of interest | Haleakalā National Park |
| Hana Highway | |
| University | University of Hawaiʻi Maui College |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 2442037 |
About Maui County
Maui County, officially the County of Maui, is a county in the U. S. state of Hawaii. It consists of the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, and Molokini. The latter two are uninhabited. As of the 2010 census, the population was 154,834. The county seat is Wailuku.
Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric over wildfire negligence
...By Emily McGarveyBBC NewsMaui County is suing energy firm Hawaiian Electric, saying it failed to turn off electric equipment before wildfires started on the island...
850 still missing after Maui fires, mayor says
......
Hawaii fires: First victims named as death toll reaches 106
... " We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones, " said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen...
Hawaii wildfires: Crews may find 10 to 20 wildfire victims a day - governor
... " The deadly fire in Lahaina is still burning and is about 85% contained, according to Maui County officials...
When a 'fire hurricane' hit, Maui's warning sirens never sounded
... " We pick up remains and they fall apart, " said Maui County police chief John Pelletier on Saturday, four days after a massive wildfire tore downhill through dry brush and grass and engulfed the island s western edge...
Hawaii fires deadliest natural disaster in state history
... On Friday, Maui County officials also confirmed12 additional deaths in Lahaina...
Why weren't Maui residents warned about the fire sooner?
... Shortly before 0900 local time (2000 BST), Maui County s official website put out a statement in which they said that the brush fire had been "100% contained" although " winds in the area remain a concern"...
Raging Hawaii wildfires kill 36 people
...At least 36 people have died as wildfires rage across Maui County in Hawaii, officials say...
Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric over wildfire negligence
By Emily McGarveyBBC News
Maui County is suing energy firm Hawaiian Electric, saying it failed to turn off electric equipment before wildfires started on The Island .
If Power Lines had been switched off during exceptionally high winds and dry conditions, the destruction could have been avoided, the lawsuit said.
The Lahaina fire killed 115 and.
The Company says it is disappointed The County chose to sue while The Fire investigation was ongoing.
Witnesses say they saw sparks from Power Lines which ignited fires after utility poles were damaged by winds, caused by a passing hurricane.
The lawsuit said the utility company knew high winds " would topple power poles, Knock Down Power Lines , and ignite vegetation".
The Company was warned in advance of dangerous wildfire conditions by The National Weather Service, the lawsuit added.
" Defendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate, " it said.
" Severe and catastrophic losses. . could have easily been prevented" if The Firm had a safety shut-off plan during high wind events, similar to that of other utility companies, it suggested.
It further claimed that Hawaiian Electric had a duty to properly maintain and repair its Power Lines and keep vegetation trimmed to prevent contact with overhead lines and other electric equipment.
The County said it is seeking compensation for damage to public property and resources in Lahaina and in nearby Kula.
In a statement to The Bbc on Thursday, Hawaiian Electric said that since the fires, it had been focused on doing what it could to support The People of Maui.
" We Are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while The Investigation is still unfolding. "
The wildfire that ripped through Hawaiian town of Lahaina on 8 August destroyed most of the historic town
Authorities are now expected to make public a list of The Missing in The Coming days to try to narrow The Search .
are finding only bones or fragments of bodies.
The County said: " Maui County stands alongside The People and communities of Lahaina and Kula to recover public resource damages and rebuild after these devastating utility-caused fires.
" These damages include losses to public infrastructure, fire response costs, losses to revenues, increased costs, environmental damages, and losses of historical or cultural landmarks. "
Temporarily shutting off power to reduce fire risk is a tactic used in western US states, where wildfires are common. In California, Power Lines have been blamed for half of The State 's most destructive wildfires.
Related TopicsSource of news: bbc.com
