Amid the misinformation circulating online regarding Hawaii wildfires, a particular conspiracy theory is gaining traction. It suggests that the recent wildfires, which resulted in the loss of 110 lives, were not merely a simple natural disaster.
Instead, this theory posits that there was an intentional move to swiftly transform Maui into a smart city. These destructive wildfires hit Maui County the hardest as they swept through Hawaii.
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HAWAII - AUGUST 18: In an aerial view, burned cars and homes are seen in a neighborhood that was destroyed by a wildfire on August 18, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. At least 111 people were killed and thousands were displaced after a wind driven wildfire devastated the towns of Lahaina and Kula early last week. Crews are continuing to search for missing people.
Conspiracy Theory Regarding Maui Wildfires in Hawaii
The speculation centered on a conference in Maui that occurred last January, in which discussions about converting Maui into a "smart city" were tackled.
Interesting Engineering reported that this conspiracy theory suggests that a subsequent meeting is imminent, during which deliberations will focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to potentially replace the existing form of governance.
At its core, this theory arises from a prevalent right-wing belief that entities such as the United Nations and the World Economic Forum intend to rapidly and forcibly transform cities into "smart cities."
This narrative aligns with the "15-minute city" conspiracy, which envisions an urban environment where residents' daily necessities are reachable within a 15-minute walk, transit, or bike ride.
Also Read: Cal Fire Uses AI to Detect Wildfires Without the Need for Human Eyes
Debunking Claims
Contrary to these assertions, notable people debunked these claims. The January conference centered around tackling the evolving challenges within the global information technology sector.
New York Post reported that conference chair Tung Bui clarified that the concept of smart cities has been under scrutiny for about three decades. He emphasized that their conference did not involve dedicated discussions to transform Maui into a smart city.
On the other hand, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said, "Do not rely on people who fancy themselves as influencers." Similarly, Associated Press reported that the upcoming conference in the subsequent month does not singularly revolve around implementing AI on Maui.
Instead, its primary focus is enhancing government adaptation to emerging technologies throughout the state. Social media users have further contributed to this issue by sharing images taken out of context and manipulated to advance their personal agendas and speculative ideas.
An individual from X shared a post on the platform, suggesting that Direct Energy Weapons caused the wildfires. However, upon closer examination, X conducted a fact-check on this assertion and discovered that the image was actually depicting an oil refinery in Ohio engaged in a controlled burn.
This controlled burn resulted in the phenomenon known as "light pillars," creating an appearance of vertical columns of light in the sky.
Related Article: Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to Donate $100 Million for Maui Recovery Amid Deadly Wildfires
