Responding to disasters on islands is costly

+ tourism eventually bounces back US Edition - Today's top story: Maui wildfires: Extra logistical challenges hinder government's initial response when disasters strike islands [View in browser]( US Edition | 11 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Essential listens for hip-hop’s 50th birthday]( - [Who likes Donald Trump?]( - [Did you keep up with the news? Quiz yourself!]( Lead story Some of the nation’s most beautiful places were destroyed this week when wildfires ripped through parts of Maui, leaving much of the idyllic town of Lahaina in charred ruins. President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration yesterday, greenlighting assistance from the federal government. But that doesn’t mean this disaster aid response will happen quickly and smoothly. To get an idea of [what kind of help Hawaiians should expect](, I turned to Ivis García, a Texas A&M University urban planner who has researched disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. “Everything about the immediate response to a disaster in places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico is more expensive than on the mainland,” she explained. And the state’s high housing costs could lead some local residents to leave – possibly for good. Tourism plays a huge role in the economy across Hawaii, especially on Maui. Rich Harrill, a professor of hospitality and tourism at the University of South Carolina, predicts that the long-term [outlook for an economic rebound on Maui is strong](. [ [Get our Understanding AI series – four emails delivered over the course of a week, with experts explaining this confusing topic.]( ] Emily Schwartz Greco Philanthropy + Nonprofits Editor A wildfire burns in Kihei, Hawaii, on Aug. 9, 2023. AP Photo/Ty O'Neil [Maui wildfires: Extra logistical challenges hinder government’s initial response when disasters strike islands]( Ivis García, Texas A&M University An expert on Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane Maria explains why it’s hard for the US to deliver disaster aid in places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Economy + Business - [Government support was key for thousands of US nonprofits battered by COVID-19’s early costs − new research]( Jennifer Mayo, University of Missouri-Columbia Two economists calculated that the Paycheck Protection Program saved more than 450,000 nonprofit jobs in the first six months after the pandemic was declared. Environment + Energy - [Wildfires are a severe blow to Maui’s tourism-based economy, but other iconic destinations have come back from similar disasters]( Rich Harrill, University of South Carolina Wildfires on Maui are a crippling blow to the island’s tourism industry, which generates half of its jobs. But New Orleans and Kauai show that comebacks are possible. Health + Medicine - [Skin cancer screening guidelines can seem confusing – three skin cancer researchers explain when to consider getting checked]( Enrique Torchia, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Neil Box, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Tamara Terzian, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Widespread screening for skin cancer may not be necessary, but it is important to understand the risks behind UV overexposure and to get checked early if you have concerns. - [Gut microbes are the community within you that you can’t live without – how eating well can cultivate your microbial and social self]( Christopher Damman, University of Washington Nurturing your gut microbiome can go hand in hand with nurturing your social community, with health benefits all around. Science + Technology - [Why does your hair curl in the summer? A chemist explains the science behind hair structure]( Tara S. Carpenter, University of Maryland, Baltimore County A chemist explains how the structure of your hair follicles, your genetic code and environmental factors like humidity influence how hair behaves on a day-to-day basis. Education - [Building relationships is key for first-year college students – here are 5 easy ways to meet new friends and mentors]( Leo M. Lambert, Elon University; Isis Artze-Vega, Valencia College; Oscar Miranda Tapia, North Carolina State University; Peter Felten, Elon University Forming study groups and reaching out to professors can greatly improve a first-year student’s chances for success. Arts + Culture - [Hip-hop at 50: 7 essential listens to celebrate rap’s widespread influence]( Nick Lehr, The Conversation; Jamaal Abdul-Alim, The Conversation; Matt Williams, The Conversation; Molly Jackson, The Conversation; Howard Manly, The Conversation On Aug. 11, 1973, a block party in the Bronx spawned a genre that would go on to influence nearly all aspects of US culture – and the music, fashion and art of countries around the world. Politics + Society - [Hitler, Burr and Trump: Show trials put the record straight for history but can also provide a powerful platform for the defendant]( Stefanie Lindquist, Arizona State University Donald Trump’s trial for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election will promote accountability – but could this show trial have a dangerous outcome, too? - [Who likes Donald Trump? Lots of Republicans, but especially Hispanic voters, plus very rural and very conservative people]( Jonathan Schulman, Northwestern University; Matthew A Baum, Harvard Kennedy School New findings by political scientists at Northwestern University and Harvard Kennedy School provide a clearer picture of which demographic groups support Trump. Trending on site - [Babies almost all try crawling to get from Point A to Point B, but CDC says it’s not a useful developmental milestone]( - [Medical exploitation of Black people in America goes far beyond the cells stolen from Henrietta Lacks that produced modern day miracles]( - [Zebrafish are a scientist’s favorite for early-stage research – especially to study human blood disorders]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Which Hawaiian island suffered devastating wildfires that began on Aug. 8? - A. Kauai - B. Oahu - C. Maui - D. 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