Police Heroes Battle Blazing Inferno, Sacrificing Homes for Others
Amidst the devastating blaze that ignited in early August, some Maui police officers exhibited incredible courage by rescuing families even as their own homes were reduced to ashes. Lt. Nick Krau, head of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOP), disclosed that nine officers lost their residences in the fire. While flames consumed their homes just streets away, they remained steadfast in their duty, working alongside firefighters to save lives despite lacking proper gear.
Krau, who personally responded to the fire on its initial days, expressed shock at the extent of the devastation. He recounted how the community was grappling with an unimaginable crisis that surpassed what was portrayed in the media.
The wildfire, which began on August 8 in Lahaina, has already scorched 2,170 acres, claimed over 100 lives, and obliterated 2,200 buildings, most of which were homes. The Pacific Disaster Center at the University of Hawaii estimated a staggering $5.52 billion would be required for rebuilding.
The Maui Police Department, the island’s sole centralized law enforcement agency, confronted challenges familiar to police departments nationwide – insufficient staffing. With about 300 officers, the department falls short of Krau’s belief that a force closer to 400 is necessary.
Krau questioned whether having more officers would have improved the emergency response. The absence of a mass alert system hampered early rescue operations, causing officers to feel a sense of guilt. Additionally, the department lacked the necessary equipment to combat the flames effectively, prompting Krau to personally purchase protective gear from local stores.
In the wake of a 2018 wildfire that ravaged West Maui, destroying 21 homes and over 2,100 acres, Krau and fellow officers foresaw the recurrence of such disasters, and had reportedly alerted county officials to the impending danger.
A poignant community meeting followed the 2018 fire, during which residents voiced grievances over the lack of hazard sirens, an evacuation plan, and the failure to cut power during high winds. Krau emphasized that the calamity was preventable, given the negligence in maintaining the region’s wild lands since the previous blaze.
Taking legal action, the County of Maui sued the Hawaiian Electric Company for neglecting to shut down power during dangerous conditions, blaming the company for contributing to the fire’s rapid spread. The utility company countered that legal action was premature, pending the ongoing investigation.
Amidst the chaos, Maui’s police heroes continue their vital work. Fox News Digital has reached out to the County of Maui for their comments on the situation.