The fight over water is nothing new on Maui. But the impact on the county’s ability to battle fires is coming clear.
With wildfires ravaging West Maui on Aug. 8, a state water official delayed the release of water that landowners wanted to help protect their property from fires. The water standoff played out over much of the day and the water didn’t come until too late.
In this new era, almost EVERY city has a reason to put those or similar measures in. Fires are only getting more widespread and intense as areas dry out more and more and experience record heat. It’s only a matter of time until another one threatens a major urban area.
I don’t disagree, but they have the benefit of hindsight. And politicians are not very good at seeing reality until after the fact.