Why so many house fires on O'Ahu?

[Tink]

Agree on the aluminum wiring. There are special "wire nuts", or wire connectors that are specifically for copper to aluminum wiring. They have an anti oxidant type grease inside them to shield against heat corrosion, and also to help control the expansion/contraction of two metals with different heat tolerances. This expansions/contraction is what causes arcing, and the resulting fire if arc contacts flammable substance. There should also be the anti-oxidant at the circuit breaker lug if aluminum wiring is used. Most common "misses" of the anti oxidant are light fixtures and the wiring connection of same.
Overheated copper wiring will have a "steel", or dark coloring to it as opposed to the bright "copper" look when inspecting wiring and outlets which will tell you if this is a problem, or overloaded circuit.
Overall, aluminum wiring is safe, as long as it was installed properly, and used correctly in the sense you do not overload the circuits. Again, use circuit breaker type power strips instead of extension cords. Some power strips have very long cords, up to 6 feet, if needed.

Community begins with Aloha

[kimo wires]

I never use wire nuts to join dissimilar metals.
Use split bolts, noalox, and rubber splice tape.

[kimo wires]

http://www.nachi.org/aluminum-wiring.htm

Although properly maintained aluminum wiring is acceptable, aluminum will generally become defective faster than copper due to certain qualities inherent in the metal.

One Thing I can always be sure of is that things will never go as expected.

[Tink]

Agree again. Large conductor connections should use what you mentioned for a proper connection. The special wire nuts with Noalox are intended for 15 and 20 amp circuits where aluminum wiring, which most light fixtures use on a 15 amp circuit are connected to the copper house wiring.
Most common aluminum wiring today is your service drop into the main panel, and the service conductor from main panel to sub panel, if applicable.
Kimo, your moniker implies you are an electrician, as well as your knowledge on subject?

Community begins with Aloha

[EightFingers]

The city I grew up in had a population of about 4 million and there weren't as many house fires at least on the news. thats more than twice the population of O'Ahu. Looks like I may need to do some research.

[kimo wires]

Guilty.
With the new codes and the application of AFCIs electrical fires may become a thing of the past.

One Thing I can always be sure of is that things will never go as expected.