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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Ryan Kirkham, as told to Raamin Hamid

‘We sent the kids home. Then all our cellphones went out’ – This is climate breakdown

  • Location Maui, Hawaii, United States

  • Disaster Maui wildfires, 2023

Ryan Kirkham had been the principal at Maui preparatory school for 13 years when the Maui wildfires ignited in 2023, killing 102 people in Lahaina and costing almost $3.3bn in insured damages. Climate change is increasing the severity of droughts in the Hawaiian Islands, which correlates with an increased likelihood of wildfires.

The power went out at about 5.30 that morning. It was knocked out all day; there were power lines and trees down across the roads. The first day of school was scheduled to be the very next day. I was at work. Teachers were getting their classrooms ready to welcome kids.

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