In Honolulu, Hawaii Attorney General - Anne Lopez released the phase two report conducted by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) regarding the Lahaina fires that occurred on Aug. 8, 2023.
In August 2023, Anne Lopez selected the independent, third-party FSRI to assess the performance of state and county agencies in preparing for and responding to the Maui wildfires in a three-phase report.
FSRI has extensive experience researching fire dynamics, structure-to-structure fire spread, and near-miss firefighting incidents.
good governance
"The issue of liability is out there, that is always going to be out there whenever there’s any sort of an event," said Anne Lopez of the report when asked why no liability has been placed as to a cause of the fires, adding "The governor’s focus and my focus has been to decide that good governance is more important than liability, or worrying about liability."
Anne Lopez added that good governance means that, stating, "We have to act and we have no excuse to not act with the findings and recommendations that are in this report and that are in phase three."
phase two report
Anne Lopez was asked when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) report on the fires of Aug. 8, 2023
Anne Lopez reiterated that the purpose of the report was not to cast blame, or point fingers and that no one event, person, or action caused the outcomes of the fire.
Anne Lopez was asked when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) report on the fires of Aug. 8, 2023, would come out and how it related to the attorney general’s phase two report.
science- and evidence-based analyzes
"I can’t answer most of those questions," said Anne Lopez in response, adding "I understand that the ATF report is complete, or close to completion. It is not part of this report. I believe they have had conversations with the ATF team who is doing the investigation."
"This Phase Two report incorporates science- and evidence-based analyses with information from FSRI’s fire dynamics research, local subject matter experts, industry standards and best practices, and the collective experiences of FSRI’s research team. This report does not include an analysis of recovery efforts or the fire’s cause and origin, which is being investigated by the County of Maui with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)," the Phase Two report states under the acknowledgments.
electrical infrastructure
"There are things that we understand about the cause and origin," said Derek Alkonis. He is the Research Program Manager for the Fire Safety Institute.
Derek Alkonis adds, "We’ve seen a lot of news pieces on it, right? We know that the electrical infrastructure was involved. We saw that. And we know the grass was involved and then the fire got moving into the built environment."
Alkonis added that the report will show these factors. "They will take us through the a.m. fire – how it started – and the p.m. fire," said Derek Alkonis, adding "Whether or not they’re related or they’re independent fires, they’re going to explain all of that information."
prevention and preparedness
The Phase Two report is comprehensive in the way of looks at prevention and preparedness
Alkonis explained the phase two report as a comprehensive report in the way of looking at prevention and preparedness, and the actions taken by emergency responders.
"Our objective is to conduct a comprehensive, independent analysis assessing the policies and performance of state and county agencies in preparing for and responding to the Maui wildfires," said Steve Kerber, the Executive Director and Vice President of FSRI, adding "Since the release of the comprehensive timeline in April 2024, our team has been systematically analyzing relevant background information, communications, incident management, evacuation efforts, and the impact of the fire on Lahaina’s built environment."
climate change
Anne Lopez concluded the press conference by stating, "I think the risk is real and it’s a present danger. And climate change will only continue to make these things worse."
She adds, "With this in mind, I want to reiterate that this administration is committed to ensuring that we don’t sit on these recommendations. That we learn from the past and that we move forward collaboratively with county agencies, with other organizations, and individuals to ensure that we create a safer Hawaii."