Maui cannot be considered a safe place, considering how many vital functions are in the flood zone. The harbor, of course, the airport, the power plant, the water treatment plant, major resort destinations and shopping areas.
In addition, there can be no more than three weeks of food and energy stored here.
There are also no facilities for housing and feeding tourists Upcountry, in the event of a flood event or an earthquake. Tens of thousands of people will be on their own.
No administration of the state or county has addressed or corrected this vulnerable condition. Even medical facilities are mostly in low-lying areas.
I remember when a teacher of mine from China expressed disbelief that America had so few stores for emergencies. He laughed when he said: "You country is so young. In China, we know that things can be bad for 50 or 60 years."
Perhaps unrealistic in this day and age, but Maui should have provisions for thousands stored high, and enough for many weeks.
Raphael O'Suna
Haiku
