[MD Expat in PA]

Also, many times hurricanes drift toward the islands. When they veer off to the East of the islands, in Hawaii it produces awful humid and sticky stagnant air. When the hurricanes pass far to the south, which is rare, they produce dry, constant winds.

The hurricane was to the south of the islands and far enough away not to bring any rain, but there was also a very strong HP system to the north. The islands were between these two systems and the pressure gradient between the two caused unusually high winds which knocked down power lines, sparking fires in several locations that after long drought conditions where tinder boxes and the high winds spread flames and embers.

[jonrick46]

It seems to me that the power lines are a major fire hazard. There needs to be the total removal of foliage along the route with gravel to discourage new growth. Many use this technique in their landscaping to discourage weeds.

There is the strategy adopted in California to shut off power in hazardous areas in the event of high winds. This looks good on the surface but what happens when fire crews can't get water to put out the fires when the power to water pumps is cut off?