Whatever the cause (from directed energy weapons to eco-terrorists or garden-variety arson, to downed power lines) the end result WILL be the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. In a way, the hard heart sez the proles will be getting what they've been voting for - and getting it good and hard.
OTOH, the possibility of a heartless and massive crime of commission may be afoot, something far beyond poor decision making and incompetence. We just don't know at this point. Heck, the body count confirmed stopped being upped while there were yet hundreds still "missing".
If this example of a catastrophe doesn't turn Hawaii red then nothing will.