The Lahaina wildfire disaster of Aug. 8, 2023, inflicted staggering losses — cutting lives short, destroying homes and businesses, displacing thousands of families and affecting the statewide economy. With islanders’ close connections and the state’s intertwined concerns, all of Hawaii has been affected — and all should take interest in and support efforts to help those harmed and rebuild Lahaina.

A common commitment to care for each other in times of hardship offers common benefits: The next emergency might strike any family, in any neighborhood, and so it’s good public policy to help all affected, regardless of social status or political clout, resident island or address.

Some of the harms inflicted by the Maui fires are only now coming to light — but that should not prevent robust res

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