Hawaii Governor Josh Green has attributed the increased occurrence of human error in the recent destruction of Lahaina in Maui to climate change. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Green highlighted the surge in fire emergencies this August compared to the previous five decades, emphasizing that climate change is an undeniable reality. Despite warnings from Hawaiian officials regarding the island’s brush problem and its potential to heighten wildfire risks, the devastating fires ensued. In relation to the fires, Hawaiian Electric Co. is now facing a lawsuit alleging negligence as they failed to shut off power despite downed power lines that could have potentially ignited more flames.
Green refrained from placing blame solely on the brush or the electric company, but reiterated his belief in the role climate change played in the fire’s spread. While discussing the winds reigniting extinguished fires, he did not mention the five-hour delay in firefighters receiving permission to utilize water sources around them due to communication issues.
The governor affirmed that humanity must adapt to this new world and be prepared for the repercussions of climate change. When questioned about whether climate change amplified the impact of human error, Green responded affirmatively. However, he didn’t delve into the issue of finite resources during emergencies.
