In the aftermath of the unfathomable tragedies of the Lahaina and Upcountry fires last week, we are learning more and more about the disaster and its causes.

All of us on Maui feel more vulnerable. Our eyes have been opened. As I drove from Costco west on the Hana Highway today, I saw thousands of uncultivated acres of dried-out grasses and parched vegetation, from the Haleakala Highway to Maliko Gulch on the mauka side of the road, bordering the densely populated areas of Paia, Ku’au, Baldwin Ave, lower Haiku, Makawao, Kahului and Kihei.

Neglected fields full of non-native invasive grasses and weeds extend along the Kihei highway; in the midst of this vast flammable acreage are the Maui Humane Society shelter and the new Kulanihako’i High School.

With blazing vegetation in adjacent windswept fields, no one would be safe trying to escape on these highways. The Kahului Airport is bordered on its windward side by parched wastelands, as is Costco which has been a central supply to rescue efforts since the fires began.

Until all these untended lands are managed more responsibly, this side of Maui is another fiery crisis waiting to happen, and it will happen.

Cutting firebreaks is an immediate imperative, as is adding more firefighters to our undersized, underpaid and mightily overworked heroic Maui Fire Department.

Most importantly, these non-native invasive grasses must be replaced, without delay, by more environmentally conscious planting.

Mary Keller

Paia