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Headings:
1. Concerns in Waianae: Living in a High-Risk Fire Area
2. Lingering Fear: The Potential for a West Maui Disaster
3. Hawaiian Islands Plagued by Invasive Vegetation Fueling Wildfires
4. Criticizing Government Response: Slow Alerts and Lack of Evacuation Plans
5. Rising Concern: Fire Mitigation Assessments on High Demand
6. Urging for Action: Preventing Dry Vegetation Accumulation
7. Fear of Forgetting the Lessons of Lahaina
8. Pressing for Change: Advocating for Emergency Access Roads and Fire-Safe Construction

Rewritten Content:

**Concerns in Waianae: Living in a High-Risk Fire Area**

At her home in Waianae, a small town located on Oahu’s picturesque west coast, Samantha DeCorte has constant worries about her family’s safety. Being situated in one of the driest spots on the island, her community is surrounded by dried vegetation, similar to the conditions that fueled the devastating Maui wildfire in Lahaina. While there is not much wind in the area, DeCorte emphasizes that it can pick up unexpectedly, just like in Lahaina. The lack of a county or state evacuation plan for Waianae and the absence of a rescue plan for residents in case of a fire emergency add to her concerns. Acknowledging that this is something her community has never faced before, DeCorte considers it a major worry.

**Lingering Fear: The Potential for a West Maui Disaster**

Hawaiians across the chain of islands, particularly in the more populated areas of Hawaii and Oahu, are grieving and fearing that a catastrophic event like the West Maui wildfire might impact their communities. The statistics from Lahaina are alarming, with at least 115 people confirmed dead, 385 missing, and more than 2,000 structures destroyed. The estimated damage is as high as $6 billion. The fear is justified as the conditions that led to the rapid spread of the Maui fire exist throughout the Hawaiian islands. The legacy of the plantation era has left large fallow fields that are now overrun with invasive grasses, creating a highly flammable environment. The state’s increasing number of fire events, from 5,000 acres annually to 20,000 in recent decades, can be attributed to the plantations altering the natural landscape.

**Hawaiian Islands Plagued by Invasive Vegetation Fueling Wildfires**

The presence of invasive vegetation, such as fountain and guinea grasses, has become a significant problem for Native Hawaiians as well. Even in areas inhabited by those who fought to reclaim lands taken from them, the same vegetation that fuels wildfires surrounds their homes. Two of the state’s largest homesteads, granted to residents with at least 50 percent Hawaiian blood, are located just south of Waianae. These invasive grasses, brought in by ranchers to serve as drought-resistant livestock foliage, create deep layers of flammable material as they dry out over time. However, the state government has done little to address this issue, resulting in a heightened risk of wildfires in such areas.

**Criticizing Government Response: Slow Alerts and Lack of Evacuation Plans**

The response of state and county authorities to the West Maui fire has left many Hawaiians questioning their preparedness and effectiveness. Despite warnings from the National Weather Service about a serious fire threat due to strong wind gusts, emergency management officials were slow to alert residents. Sirens that could have warned the community never sounded, leading to criticism against Maui’s emergency management chief, who later resigned. The lack of a proactive approach and the absence of evacuation plans have contributed to the anxiety felt by residents. Jeanne Cooper, who experienced an evacuation due to a wildfire in her community, expressed her concerns about the authorities’ ability to handle such situations effectively.

**Rising Concern: Fire Mitigation Assessments on High Demand**

The increasing fear of wildfires has resulted in a surge in requests for home fire mitigation assessments. Mike Schorr, a volunteer for the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, has seen a significant rise in demand for assessments following the Lahaina fire. In just two days after the disaster, he received eight requests, indicating the heightened awareness and concern among communities. The events in Lahaina have highlighted how quickly wildfires can escalate, making residents of the Big Island and other areas more cautious and proactive about fire safety.

**Urging for Action: Preventing Dry Vegetation Accumulation**

Mark Thorne, a professor of rangeland ecology at the University of Hawaii at M─ünoa, observes that the community is taking the wildfire threat more seriously than the government. Thorne believes that open fields should be utilized for crop production and livestock grazing to prevent the accumulation of dry vegetation that leads to dangerous situations. He emphasizes the lack of management in current practices, stating that the abundance of grass biomass continues to pose a significant risk on the drier western slopes of the islands. Without proactive measures, any area in the state, particularly the leeward communities, could face a similar disaster.

**Fear of Forgetting the Lessons of Lahaina**

One concerning aspect is the potential for the state to overlook the lessons learned from the Lahaina fire. Thorne expresses his worry that people tend to move on with their lives and forget about the disaster until the next catastrophe strikes. The dire situation calls for sustained attention and proactive measures to prevent future wildfires. The fear and traumatic impact of Lahaina should serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences that wildfires can have on communities.

**Pressing for Change: Advocating for Emergency Access Roads and Fire-Safe Construction**

Samantha DeCorte, a former Republican candidate for the state Senate, is urging residents to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings. She plans to push officials to take more action, especially considering the risks her community in Waianae faces. With only one way in and out of her neighborhood, DeCorte highlights the need for an emergency access road to ensure the safety of residents. She and others have been advocating for such a road for decades. Additionally, Mike Schorr, along with other volunteers, emphasizes the need for fire-safe construction that utilizes materials resistant to fires. He argues that relying on fire-safe materials rather than easily ignited materials is essential, particularly in areas prone to rapid wildfires.

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