The death toll from the devastating Maui fires has reached 114 people, making it the deadliest fire in the United States in over a century. Additionally, there are still 1,000 people reported missing, adding to the urgency of the situation. Currently, around 1,800 individuals are residing in temporary shelters. However, regardless of their housing status, the people of Maui are in dire need of essential supplies such as food, water, toiletries, and medications. As the recovery process unfolds over the coming days, weeks, and months, there is a need for extensive support to help rebuild the affected areas.
Joe Kent, the executive vice president of Hawaii’s Grassroot Institute, a nonprofit public-policy think tank, elaborates on the enormity of the task at hand by comparing it to the construction of an entire town from scratch. He emphasizes the astronomical costs involved in such an undertaking, which could amount to hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars.
While the federal government has deployed hundreds of employees to provide aid and shelter, there have been noticeable gaps in government assistance in certain parts of Maui. As a result, local Hawaii residents have stepped up by offering their own shelters, generators, and food to those affected by the fires. This highlights the recurring dynamic seen in Puerto Rico following disasters, where community-run aid groups often fill the void left by the authorities.
The aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico serves as a reminder of the slow and uneven recovery process that follows such large-scale disasters. Six years later, damaged homes are still covered in blue tarps, and constant power outages plague the island due to its outdated electric grid. Recovery efforts in both Puerto Rico and Hawaii face additional challenges due to their geographical remoteness and their unique relationship with the United States.
Geography presents a fundamental limitation for island-based disaster recovery. In contrast to the contiguous U.S., where supplies can be easily transported, islands rely heavily on maritime shipping, which is a much more time-consuming process. Moreover, both Puerto Rico and Hawaii are subject to the Jones Act, a law that restricts shipping to U.S.-flagged vessels, further complicating the transportation of aid. This limitation is exacerbated by the limited number of Jones Act–eligible ships in operation today, resulting in potential bottlenecks in aid distribution. For instance, if Japan wanted to directly send emergency supplies to Hawaii, it would be prohibited from doing so under the Jones Act.
Although temporary waivers of the Jones Act can be granted, they do not address the long-term challenges of recovery. Joe Kent highlights the prolonged impact of the Jones Act on recovery efforts, emphasizing that its true costs will be borne over an extended period.
Both Hawaii and Puerto Rico face additional challenges due to their image as idyllic tourist destinations, which come at a price. These archipelagoes heavily rely on the tourism industry, resulting in high living costs that are further inflated during times of crisis. The disruption caused by disasters makes it difficult to access necessities such as food, shelter, and transportation. Consequently, residents are often forced to leave their homes, and not everyone returns. After Hurricane Maria, over 200,000 people left Puerto Rico, and only a small percentage have since returned. Similarly, in Maui, residents were already grappling with the influx of wealthy outsiders buying properties and displacing locals before the fires. The concern now is that this trend will accelerate, making it even more challenging for residents to afford to return.
Joe Kent draws parallels between the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and the ongoing situation in Maui, recognizing the long and arduous journey of recovery that lies ahead. The process is likely to last for many years, necessitating continued support and resources.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
