Hawaii News Now: In wake of devastation in Lahaina, calls grow for improved land management

The wildfires on Maui were fueled by dry invasive grasses — and that could lead to calls for better land management on Maui.

One farmer said his experience proves it can save lives and there are high-tech tools that can make management more practical.

Eddy Garcia documented the damage at Living Earth Systems farm in Launiupoko. When the fires came, he said flames stopped where he’d recently cleared invasive growth.

“It burned us, but it didn’t go past here,” he said.

… Garcia said they identified the areas to clear based on history.

“We knew it was a fire hazard, because our farm the month before had almost burned, and we had to fight that,” he said. “And so we were very paranoid and also being responsible land managers. This is something that hasn’t been done or looked at by anyone in like 30 years.”

— Hawaii News Now, “In wake of devastation in Lahaina, calls grow for improved land management,” August 19, 2023