HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawai‘i Attorney General Anne Lopez has officially wrapped up the state’s investigation into the government response to the devastating August 2023 Lahaina wildfire and is now handing off future wildfire strategy and coordination to a new state fire marshal and the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO).
The announcement marks a transition from analysis to action, following a two-year effort to examine how state and county agencies responded to the fires and how Hawai‘i can better prepare for future wildfire threats.
“Understanding what happened—and how to prevent it from happening again—has been our priority from day one,” Lopez said Wednesday. “Now we’re moving from research to implementation.”
The investigation, led by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), produced a series of three detailed reports. The final report, released in January 2025, identified 84 key findings and 140 recommendations, including a call to appoint a state fire marshal and engage HWMO in a leadership role.
Gov. Josh Green supported both efforts, and during the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed H.B. 1064, giving the new fire marshal expanded authority and independence.
The state fire marshal post is now held by Dori Booth, who will lead efforts to modernize fire codes and improve statewide fire readiness. HWMO, a nonprofit with long-standing experience in wildfire prevention and vegetation management, will coordinate across government, private, and community sectors.
“This is good governance at its best,” said HWMO co-director Elizabeth Pickett. “We’re building systems that last, connecting the dots across agencies and communities, and creating a coordinated path forward.”
FSRI’s work also included extensive data collection and collaboration with county fire departments. The institute is now working with the Maui and Kaua‘i fire departments on community risk assessments that will inform future planning and local response strategies.
“This is about building resilience from the ground up,” said Booth. “We’re creating a modern, coordinated, and capable fire safety system for Hawai‘i.”
The August 8, 2023 Lahaina fire was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century, killing at least 100 people and destroying much of the historic West Maui town. The final investigation and transition of leadership signal a new phase in the state’s effort to learn from the tragedy and build a safer future.