On August 8, 2023, the Lahaina wildfire killed 115 people — the deadliest US wildfire in over a century. Warning sirens were never activated — Hawaii's emergency chief said sirens would have caused people to run toward the fire (toward higher ground). The county's water system was shut off during the fire due to concerns about contamination. Before recovery was even complete, off-island investors began sending unsolicited purchase offers to survivors. Governor Green issued an emergency proclamation making such predatory offers illegal (1 year jail, $5,000 fine). Power lines owned by Hawaiian Electric that may have sparked the fire were not de-energized despite high wind warnings.