Category Archives: Environment

Maui Wildfires: A Local’s List of How to Help

🔥 The 2023 Maui wildfires have laid waste to the paradisiacal memories many hold dear. Lahaina is leveled, homes lost, businesses shattered, and the toll keeps rising. Remember that blissful Hawaiian sunset, the melody of island tunes, and the scent of blooming plumeria? Now, it’s our time to return the favor.

🌺 How Can You Give Back?

Donate Financially to Maui Wildfires Disaster Efforts

Many organizations are doing great work on the ground to provide relief from the Maui wildfires. They need cash, lots, and fast, including:

  1. Hawaii Community Foundation: Donate to the Maui Strong Fund.
  2. Hawaii Red Cross: Donate for the Maui Wildfires disaster relief.
  3. Maui Food Bank: Donate to provide food and turn $1 into 4 meals.
  4. Maui Humane Society: Donate here to help pets lost and abandoned due to the Maui wildfires. UPDATE: MHS is currently inundated with many burn victims and animals with broken limbs after jumping from heights or being hit by fleeing cars. Cash donations support emergency medical care.
  5. Salvation Army Hawaii Division: Donate here to provide boxed meals to people displaced by the Maui wildfires.
  6. Maui United Way: Donate to the Fire Disaster Relief Fund.

Donate Items for Maui Wildfires Relief

  1. Hawaii Red Cross: Donate a vehicle (to be sold for cash, not shipped).
  2. Maui Goodwill: Donate diapers, menstrual products, new bedding, and clothing
  3. Maui Humane Society: Donate pet food, beds, towels, and blankets –
  4. On-Island Donations: Items are accepted at the War Memorial Complex from 8 am to 6 pm HST. Enter the complex through Kanaloa Ave and drop off donations at the field on the left. What is needed most:
    • Menstrual pads (heavy with wings)
    • Urinary incontinence pads
    • Diapers size 5/6 (large) and pulls-ups in 2/3T and 3/4T
    • Ensure and other meal replacement drinks.
Lahaina Front Street after the 2023 fire

Volunteer Your Time from Afar to Help People Impacted by the Maui Wildfires

Local volunteers: If you are already on the island, volunteers are needed at the Maui Mayor’s distribution sites and all of the above organizations to help prepare meals and distribute relief. If you are local on Maui, please kokua your time and mahalo!

Mainland volunteers: If you are on the Mainland or in another country, the best way to donate your time is to help fundraise for these organizations doing great work on the ground. Here are some of the ways you can help:

  1. Initiate a social media awareness campaign: Share, post, tweet. Let everyone know Maui needs our help. Start a conversation by sharing this post.
  2. Organize collections of new items in your vicinity, such as diapers, blankets, and pillows, and ship them to Maui’s aid organizations listed above.

⚠️ A Gentle Reminder: As much as your heart might yearn to be physically present, please refrain from flying to Maui. Let’s assist without adding to the strain.

The spirit of Aloha is about community, about togetherness. The island culture has always cherished humanity over material. As wildfires ravage through, it is our collective strength and generosity that will pave the path to healing.

One of the things I love so much about island culture is that people are more important than things. In shocking times like these, after devastating wildfires, people helping people is what allows us to survive and rebuild.

🌈 Let’s embody the Aloha spirit. Stand with Maui. Donate, spread the word, and give generously.

Mosquitoes in Hawaii?

Mosquitoes in Hawaii? Yes, all of the Hawaiian islands have mosquitoes. They were most likely introduced from bilge water carried in whaling ships in the early 19th century. Aedes aegypti is one of the most common species noted by black and white spots. It is very invasive and found on all the islands. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, even in small puddles in parking lots. They are more abundant in rainy areas, especially in windward and mauka areas. However, do not be surprised to get bitten in drier areas like Waikiki or Ka’anapali.

Mosquitoes in Hawaii are most active in the morning and evening hours.  The are several species of mosquitoes in Hawaii, two of which bite humans. A third species is limited to birds, and it is not going to impact your vacation. Aedes aegypti bite two hours before and after sunrise and sunset. The other species bite during the day.

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Aedes aegytpi is the most common mosquito in Hawaii

Avoid bites from mosquitoes in Hawaii with DEET

DEET prevents bites because it hides your CO2 signal. Mosquitoes use CO2 as the chemical signal to locate blood. Therefore, you become invisible to mosquitoes when you spray your clothing or skin with DEET.

Personally, I use Cutter All Family 15 Count Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes 7.15% DEET. The wipes tuck into my day pack or purse and never leak. I easily pass TSA screening with them in carry-on toiletry bag. Also, wipes work wonders on squirmy kids, and the DEET doesn’t accidentally get into the nose or mouth when applying it. If you are traveling with children or a group, consider getting a 3-pack of Cutter All Family 15 Count Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes 7.15% DEET (3 Pack) because the wipes are hard to find in Hawaii. However, many people like the convenience of a spray and use  Cutter 54010 Skinsations 6-Ounce Insect Repellent Pump Spray 7-Percent DEET, Case Pack of 1

If you have sensitive skin or feel concerned about a strong reaction to bites, consider using a stronger 20% DEET spray, such as Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent 25-Percent DEET Pump Spray, 6-Ounce. Apply it in the mornings and evenings when mosquitoes are most active or when you notice you’re being bitten. You may want to shower it off before bed.

If you are allergic to DEET, try a natural mosquito repellant. These are more gentle to sensitive skin because they are not as harsh. The recipe is simple. Mix into a base of vodka equal parts of the essential oils cinnamon, tea tree, and lemon. I fill a small spray bottle and carry it in my purse.

Avoid bites with clothing

Most people with bites are wearing shorts and t-shirts. Instead, I wear a lightweight long sleeve shirt and loose-fitting pants. I avoid bites by wearing permethrin clothing, such as ExOfficio Men’s BugsAway Tarka Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt . Likewise, mosquitoes in Hawaii can usually bite through tight-fitting clothing, including jeans. Therefore, wear loose clothing when possible.

Treat red, itchy mosquito bites

Mosquito bites cause red, itchy welts. Some people experience itching for 10 minutes while other people itch for 10 days. The immune system is to blame because mosquitoes inject a chemical as they bite. This chemical is an anti-coagulant, which prevents blood from clotting. The immune system reacts, causing welts. 

How sensitive you are to mosquito bites is a realistic concern. If you live in an area with lots of seasonal mosquitoes (think Minnesota or Maine), chances are your immune system is not going to freak out over a few bites. However, if you do not get bitten regular by mosquitoes, the immune system can react with raised, red welts that itch like crazy. Here are a few first-aid tips:

If you are sensitive to bites, keep hand to relieve the itching some calamine lotion, such as Caladryl Clear Lotion, 6 Ounce, or sting ease, such as StingEze Max2 Insect Bite Itch Relief Dauber, 0.5-Ounce. You will definitely want to have some in your bag because these items are hard to find in remote and resort areas.

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Use DEET or protective clothing to prevent bites from mosquitoes in Hawaii. Apply sting relief to red bites.

Sting relief products reduce pain and discomfort. Most grocery stores sell sting ease products that reduce itching from insect bites. Still, I carry individually wrapped sting relief wipes in my day pack and purse. Apply liberally as soon you notice the bite.

Where are the mosquitoes in Hawaii?

Leeward areas have fewer bugs because there is less rain. Less rain means less standing water, where mosquitoes breed. These areas include: Honolulu on O’ahu, Poipu on Kaua’i and Kihei on Maui.

Windward areas have more mosquitoes because there is more rain. This means more standing water, where the bugs breed. These areas include: Hilo on Hawaii island, Hana on Maui, and Hanalei on Kauai. However, windward areas are also more windy. Asa result, strong trade winds prevent mosquitoes in Hawaii from landing on skin because wind blows away carbon dioxide (or CO2).  Mosquitoes cannot hone in on the carbon dioxide coming out of the body with breathing.

What diseases do mosquitoes in Hawaii carry?

Visiting Hawaii is not like going to the Amazon. There is no malaria in Hawaii. Dengue is limited to occasional outbreaks in the deep jungle areas, like the road to Hana on Maui. Catching a disease spread through mosquito bites is not a real worry in Hawaii.

Mosquitoes in Hawaii do not carry malaria, thank goodness. Malaria is a debilitating fever disease found in most tropical zones in the world. However, mosquitoes in Hawaii carry dengue fever. Outbreaks occur in wet zones on Maui and the Big Island. The most recent outbreak of dengue happened in 2015. Read more about dengue and zika in Hawaii.  If you are concerned about dengue fever, stay in leeward areas.

Finally, if you are allergic to mosquitoes, plan your travel to avoid wet areas. Waterfall hikes are located in windward areas. Bring plenty of repellent to reapply after swimming. Also, wear protective clothing and apply sting relief as needed.

Hawaii Snow Sets Record, Falling at 6,200 Feet

Does it ever snow in Hawaii? Yes and often, but only atop the tallest volcanic mountains. Snow in February 2019 set a record, not for the amount of snow. Instead, the record was for snow at the lowest elevation.

Heavy winter storms in the Pacific often dump snow in Hawaii, specifically, atop the summits of Haleakala (about 10,000 feet) and Mauna Kea (about 14,000 feet). However, Hawaii does not have any ski resorts. Likewise, snow does not fall at the beach.

Meanwhile, residents tracking Hawaii snow have posted many photos and videos on social media. Maui resident, Momi Fortune of Haiku, pulled over to photograph the white peak of Haleakala summit. She snapped the photo attached to this post on February 11, 2019.

Historic Snowfall on Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. Photo Credit: Momi Fortune

Historic Snowfall

Likewise, Lisa Walsh, a resident of Kula described the February 2019 storm, “This is the most snow I’ve ever seen on Haleakala summit in the 30 years that I’ve lived on Maui. There is snow down below Polipoli State Park [elevation 6,200 feet], which never happens.”

Furthermore, some experts at Weather.com say that this may be the first snow in Hawaii ever recorded below 6,200 feet in the lower parts of Polipoli state park. SFGate.com reported a similar story about the lowest-ever elevation recorded.

In contrast, snow is more common atop the volcanic mountain summits, where the elevation is much higher. Haleakala summit on Maui and Mauna Kea summit on Hawaii island typically received 3-6 dustings of snow each winter.

Playing in the Snow

Another effect of Hawaii snow is that it attracts people to the volcanic summits to play. Popular snow activities in Hawaii include: Snowboarding, skiing, sledding, and hiking. However, many Hawaii residents lack experience with snow and could get injured or damage precious habitat. For example, people who drive to the summit without a 4WD vehicle are likely to get stuck in the muck.

Further, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported on February 7, 2019, an incident on Mauna Kea where snowboarders didn’t get hurt. Instead, they damaged a cultural site and endangered habitat.

Finally, learn more about snow in Hawaii from an article entitled “Poli’ahu’s Gift” that I wrote for Hana Hou!. You can also read more about previous reporting on snow storms in Hawaii at the links below: