Lahaina used to be a wetland

Nature didn't turn the historic Hawaiian community into a tinderbox. People did.

Destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023. Photo by PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images.

Editor’s note: If you would like to support wildfire victims, the source for today’s story recommended this fund.