The Maui Wildfire of 2023: Response and Support by Department of Defense

Abstract

"In August 2023, wildfires engulfed the island of Maui, Hawaii. This wildfire was the “largest natural disaster in Hawaii state history” (Clayton et al., 2023). There was a massive relief effort, but other entities aside from local and state—specifically the Department of Defense (DoD)—were largely underutilized. The neighboring armed services units that conduct disaster training and who have protocol that allow them to respond in a crisis were not requested for support. Similarly, other federal assets were not employed until the blaze had been contained and extinguished (White House Briefings, 2024). This lack of cross-entity cooperation is due in part to the layers of policy and bureaucracy at the local, state, and federal levels that exist in the United States regarding DoD intervention in local and national emergencies. This thesis examined the background and outcome of the wildfire through a cause-and-effect lens, specifically the areas of improvement gleaned from the after-action reports of the event. Additionally, this thesis provides information on current limitations of disaster relief support to determine gaps that may exist and their impact on response. These analyses answered a resounding yes to the root inquiry: Will policy changes on DoD humanitarian logistics interventions with current state and federal entities provide for more optimistic and effective disaster relief efforts? Further recommendations and conclusions from the analysis are also presented."