The same week that a wildfire wreaked havoc on traffic passing through the pali, the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council announced they received a $300,000 two-year Resilient Communities Grant to manage fire fuel and forest reserve resiliency in the Pohakea watershed above Maalaea.
“It is extremely timely that we are announcing this grant today, as a wildfire rages near the windmills and the Lahaina pali trail,” said Christina Lizzi, executive director of the nonprofit Maui Nui Marine Resource Council on Wednesday. “In addition to the danger they pose to people, and the road closures they cause, wildfires in this area strip vegetation off steeply sloped land, creating prime conditions for soil erosion in heavy rain or strong winds. This ultimately leads to more sediment-laden runoff flowing into the ocean, which is harmful to coral reefs and marine wildlife.”