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August 18, 2023
Tangata whenua overwhelmed in Hawaii fire response
Gideon Porter
Posted On August 18, 2023
Download AudioNative Hawaiian groups feel they are being left out of the recovery efforts on Maui, where the historic town of Lahaina was devastated by a hurricane-driven wildfire.
So far more than 110 people have been confirmed dead – with 1300 still unaccounted for.
Maui resident Shayne Nameaaea Hoshino, says while they welcome the outside help that is flooding in, local knowledge and experience is being ignored in favour of state and federal recovery plans.
“You know for us, we’re trying to reach out to them and say – put our community leaders in the mix. You know, let them be the voice – not you guys wanting us to help. We need your help. You’ve got to come to us,” he says.
Meanwhile there has been a miraculous moment among the death and devastation – with 60 people found sheltering in a single home, days after the fires first began.
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