Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report Released by the Attorney General of Hawaiߵi
Hawaiߵi state officials released the Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report (Phase Three), an independent report conducted by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes. Phase Three organizes the findings from the Lahaina Fire Comprehensive Timeline Report (Phase One) and Lahaina Fire Incident Analysis Report (Phase Two) and prioritizes a list of action items the state and all counties can use to make improvements to Hawaii’s future preparation for and response to wildfires, including recommendations on how to address each priority. The report also includes guidance for each county fire department to complete a Community Risk Assessment, Community Risk Reduction plan, and a Standards of Cover analysis. Each of these components are in progress and FSRI has provided the state and counties with guidance documents.
Among the most high priority items cited in Phase Three are staffing of an Office of the State Fire Marshal and engaging state agencies in addressing the Phase Two findings and recommendations. FSRI has also engaged with the Hawaiߵi Department of the Attorney General (DOAG) and Hawaiߵi Wildfire Management Organization to address the preparations needed for the Office of the State Fire Marshal to be effective as soon as possible. Lastly, the report includes a review of the fire codes and standards adoption and use processes for the County of Maui.
“Our objective in the Phase Three report is to provide the State of Hawaiߵi and the County of Maui with a clear roadmap to initiate progress. The state, counties, and the community now have the blueprint for the critical first steps necessary to establish a solid foundation for improving fire safety across Hawaiߵi.”
—Steve Kerber, executive director and vice president, FSRI
The Phase Three Report was commissioned by the DOAG as the last in a three-report series. Phase One, published on April 17, 2024, presents a chronology of events captured from an extensive data collection effort, resulting in more than 12,000 timeline entries. The report focuses on the time period beginning at 14:55 on August 8, 2023, and concludes at 08:30 on August 9, 2023, and includes the relevant events that occurred prior to, and during, this time, such as preparedness efforts, weather, and other fires occurring on Maui. Phase Two, published on September 13, 2024, and revised on October 2, 2024, presents relevant background information; discusses weather, fuel, and infrastructure conditions; describes communication, incident management, fire suppression, and evacuation efforts; and details the impact of the fire on Lahaina’s built environment.
Prior to publishing the Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report, the County of Maui released the Lahaina Long-Term Recovery Plan. The plan includes several “Priority Projects” within Section 7 that align with the Lahaina Fire Incident Analysis Report (Phase Two) Findings and Recommendations, which are also included within the State and County Priorities of this report.
Download the Phase Three Report
Access the Minute-by-Minute Timeline
Research Project: Maui Wildfires Analysis
Report Title: Lahaina Fire Forward-Looking Report
Report Authors: Steve Kerber and Derek Alkonis
Download the Report: https://doi.org/10.60752/102376.28074944
Release Date: January 14, 2025
