Caltrans helps after tragedy strikes distant shores

District 1 official leads a team of safety-assessment experts to gauge the damage on Maui

In early August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and tragically claimed the lives of at least 100 people. The proliferation of the wildfires was attributed to dry, gusty conditions created by a strong high-pressure area north of Hawaii and Hurricane Dora to the south.

In the wake of these fires, Caltrans employees played a crucial role in aiding Maui County’s recovery efforts. Among them was District 1’s chief of advance planning and local assistance, Talitha Hodgson.

All told, the state of California deployed more than 100 employees to aid in the recovery efforts. The commitment showed solidarity and collaboration across state lines in times of crisis.

Ten dedicated Safety Assessment Program (SAP) certified personnel were called upon to evaluate approximately 2,000 structures within the fire-ravaged city of Lahaina. This deployment presented a unique challenge as assembling enough SAP-certified volunteers is often a daunting task due to demanding schedules and the timing of emergencies. Nevertheless, Hodgson, along with a group of dedicated Caltrans employees, rose to the occasion.

As the team mobilized, Hodgson found herself on standby, ready to step in if needed. Ultimately, she became an integral part of the final nine-member team, a diverse group of supervisors and engineers, all possessing a wealth of experience in structures, construction, safety and emergency response.

For the majority of the team, this deployment spanned two weeks. However, two Caltrans engineers extended their stay an additional week to lead a small group of volunteer architects and county personnel in completing assessments. Amid limited available accommodations due to displaced residents, the team was stationed in west Maui, about a half-hour drive from the disaster site and Disaster Recovery Center.

The workdays were demanding, commencing at 6:30 a.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m. Hodgson emphasized that SAP deployments leave no room for breaks or weekends off, a testament to the urgency of getting residents back into their homes.

Their assessment process involved a meticulous inspection of more than 2,000 structures, each receiving a placard indicating its status: green (inspected), yellow (restricted use), or red (unsafe). Alongside these placards, detailed documentation and photographs were logged into a GIS database for agencies, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), to access and review.

George Rixey, a local architect in Maui, was among the local Hawaiian SAP volunteers whom Hodgson’s team trained and worked with. In early March, Rixey reflected on his partnering with Caltrans.

“My experience – this sounds kind of paradoxical – was a wonderful experience, to feel that I could be a contributing part of a team that embraced us from life. Usually we’re the embracers. That was really significant for us.

“The fact that you guys came over, and the stage of the work that we were doing, was really helpful in connecting directly with the roots of the county, because some of the government working mechanisms were not in touch or connected directly with actions that were on the ground. When Caltrans came out and started working with the county, the (Division of Environmental Analysis) and things like that, it really tied it all together.”

During their time in Maui, the Caltrans staffers worked with the Maui County Historic Preservation program, providing it with detailed drone footage of damaged historic properties. That marked the first time Caltrans had used drones during a SAP response, which allowed for more-detailed assessments without exposing staff to dangerous conditions.

Among the other groups that Caltrans coordinated with in Maui were the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Guard.

By the end of Caltrans’ deployment in Maui, 2,486 buildings were assessed, with 1,694 marked as unsafe and 23 under restricted use. The team’s efforts culminated in 769 dwellings being approved for residents to return home, a significant milestone in the recovery process.

Responding to the crisis in Hawaii, multiple GoFundMe fundraising efforts were initiated to support those affected by the fires. By Aug. 18, 2023, these efforts had amassed over $30 million in donations, demonstrating the outpouring of support from communities near and far.

Despite the challenges and immense task at hand, Hodgson and her team forged connections with local responders, including the Maui Humane Society, extending their support beyond the structural assessments. Many were touched by their efforts to reunite families with their missing pets. The Maui Humane Society estimated that around 3,000 animals from Lahaina were missing after the fires, highlighting the immense impact on both human and animal lives.

Reflecting on the experience, Hodgson affirmed her readiness to deploy again, highlighting the critical importance of swiftly restoring people to their homes. She praised the exceptional dedication of SAP volunteers, emphasizing their genuine care for the communities they serve.

In August 2023, President Joe Biden issued a federal major disaster declaration, acknowledging the severity of the situation. The Lahaina fire alone damaged or destroyed more than 2,200 buildings, overwhelmingly residential, including many historic landmarks. In September 2023, the Department of Commerce published the official damage total of the wildfires as $5.5 billion, underlining the immense scale of destruction.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, referred to the Lahaina wildfires as the "worst natural disaster" in the state's history. It stands as the fifth-deadliest wildfire in United States history.

In addition to the wildfire response in Maui, Hodgson was also deployed to Rio Dell following a major earthquake in December 2022, underscoring her commitment to helping communities in need. Her presence brought not only technical expertise but also a reassuring presence for those still reeling from the shock of the disaster.

Looking to assist the public in California and across state lines, Caltrans stands as a beacon of help, exemplified by leaders like Hodgson, whose unwavering commitment to service leaves an indelible mark on the communities we serve. We salute her and her team for their outstanding contributions in the face of adversity.

Source: Talitha Hodgson, chief, District 1 advance planning and local assistance; Myles Cochrane, District 1 public information officer