Hawaii
As Maui firefighters prepare for busy fire season, they’re still ‘in the thick’ of recovery
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As they mark eight months since the wildfire disaster, Maui firefighters are grappling with long-term impacts even as they prepare for a busy fire season ahead.
Eighteen firefighters lost their homes in West Maui on August 8.
Some watched their homes burn as they were fighting the blazes.
“As they were actively fighting fire in Lahaina, they would actively see their homes burning down. They continued to fight, they continued to work hard to save Lahaina that they lived in so obviously afterward is devastating,” said Jeremey Irvin, Fire Fighters Association executive board member.
He said the union helped with resources firefighters during and after the disaster.
Maui Wildfires Disaster
On Monday, at a conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters 10th district, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura and other Maui firefighters came to say mahalo for their support.
Ventura told Hawaii News Now firefighters are still in recovery mode.
“The work that they did on that day, and the month that followed, will forever impact them. There will be challenges. They’ll relive it,” Ventura said.
“I’ve heard many of them say what could we have done better? Many of them were apologetic when we went to council meetings for not being able to save the community.
“I would say we are still in the thick of our recovery,” he added.
Ventura says Maui firefighters respond to 45 to 70 wildfires per month during the August and September drought season, but it’s busy all year round.
“As we go into our drought months, we’re going to see all of that fuel dry up. On days with low humidity, high winds, the risk of wildfires is greater and greater,” said Ventura.
On Friday, Ventura will go before the Maui County Council for his budget request, which includes asking for 29 more firefighter positions and additional equipment.
“The one thing I have to make sure everybody understands is just throwing all the money in the world at the wildfire problem isn’t the complete solution,” said Ventura.
“Our message is to make, make it a kako’o thing,” he added.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Community memorial service for Kazuo Todd today in Hilo – West Hawaii Today
The funeral procession for deceased Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with pass-in-review for Hawaii Fire Department firefighters took place Saturday morning at HFD Administration in the County Building on Aupuni Street in Hilo.
Hawaii
What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.
Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“
Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.
“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.
For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
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