In the early weeks of August, 2023, a wildfire broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The fire destroyed a large portion of the village, Lahaina and the death toll is over 100 people.
Image Source: Reuters
The cause of the fire has been because of high winds and faulty power lines. At first, Hawaiian Electric denied these claims and said it might have been a bushfire. According to The Washington Post, during the investigation, Hawaiian Electric removed the damaged power lines and replaced them with new ones, removing evidence in the process.
Image Source: CNN
It would then be concluded in court that the power lines should have been more secured and that Hawaiian Electric should have cut the electrical grid during high winds. Hawaiian Electric have pleaded guilty with negligence and multiple counts of manslaughter.
President Biden has started providing disaster relief to help the people affected.
Image Source: Bloomberg