- Devastating Toll: Maui Fire Claims Lives of 93, Deadliest US Fire in a Century
- Unprecedented Disaster: Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts After Hawaii’s Worst Natural Calamity
- Challenges in Recovery: Struggles for Evacuees and Aid Delivery Amid Government Impediments
The Maui fire that destroyed the historic community of Lahaina claimed the lives of 93 people, making it the deadliest US fire in a century.
As forensic work continues to identify the victims, the death toll could “significantly” rise, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, warned on Saturday.
Hundreds of individuals are still unaccounted for, while hundreds more have sought refuge in Maui’s shelters.
Mr. Green stated, “Today is impossible.”
The fire will “certainly be Hawaii’s worst natural disaster ever,” he said.
“We can do nothing but wait and support the living. Now, we are focusing on reuniting individuals when possible, providing them with housing and health care, and then on rebuilding.
The wildfires are mostly under control, although efforts to extinguish them continue in parts of the island, including Lahaina.
Authorities have concentrated their efforts on scouring what is left of the island’s coastline, using sniffer dogs trained to detect bodies to search for signs of bodies buried beneath the debris.
When Maui Police Chief John Pelletier stated that only 3% of the search area had been covered, he was furious.
“At this point, none of us fully grasp the magnitude of this,” he said.
Jeremy Greenberg, a senior official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stated that urban search and rescue teams and fire suppression teams were sent as additional support.
“The absolute number one priority is survivor safety,” he stated.
Mr. Greenberg stated that roughly 1,000 people may be safe but inaccessible for various reasons.
Hundreds of evacuees continued to congregate at the Maui War Memorial Complex emergency shelter on Saturday, receiving food, toiletries, and medical aid from an increasing number of volunteers.
Large whiteboards displayed the most urgent requirements – batteries, water, and generators – as well as the fact that no additional clothing was required in all capital letters.
Keapo Bissen, a member of the team at the War Memorial sanctuary, stated that the list of missing changed hourly as more people reported missing loved ones and others were discovered.
She stated, “Many wonderful reunions have occurred in this parking lot.” This is truly the silver lining in all of this.
It is estimated that over 2,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed since the flames began. The preponderance of these were Lahaina-area homes.
On Saturday, the Honoapiilani highway, the primary route to Lahaina, was momentarily reopened to residents before being quickly closed again.
Nevertheless, hundreds of Lahaina residents remained in the queue on the highway, hoping to be allowed through.
Liz Germansky, whose residence was destroyed in the fire, is infuriated by the response. Sitting in the same traffic queue, she remarks, “The government is impeding people’s ability to assist.”
Another route, the Kahekili Highway, is accessible, but locals say it’s far too dangerous to travel on. The road, locally known as ‘the backroad’ to Lahaina, is barely broad enough for one vehicle, has numerous hairpin turns, and has a steep decline.
“We cannot travel there with this truck. It’s a cliff,’ said Ruth Lee, a resident who was delayed in traffic while attempting to bring supplies to her family who remained behind.
According to the Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) and FEMA, which coordinates relief efforts in Hawaii from Washington, the expense of rebuilding Maui is estimated to be $5.5 billion (£4.3 billion).
“The historic structures, the church, the missionary building, etc., have all disappeared,” he said.
The primary tourist district, including all the shops and restaurants, and the historic main street were destroyed.
Felicia Johnson, the owner of a printing company in Kahului, Maui, is coordinating a massive grassroots response to the calamity.
Her ancestors hail from the Lahaina region. She has accumulated hundreds of pounds of donated supplies but has been unable to transport them past the government checkpoint.
She claims that appealing to authorities to let her enter with her donated goods was the most emotionally taxing part, not witnessing the devastation while dropping off supplies.”That’s the part that stresses me out the most: constantly pleading with you to come in and feed people.”
Ms. Johnson stated that many of the area’s docks are too severely damaged or devastated for boat-borne delivery of supplies. Several travelers have swum the supplies to shore.
Some of the young men assisting her load supplies point the finger at government mismanagement and red tape.
“Too many chiefs, not enough warriors,” said 25-year-old Bradah Young.
“Everyone is in charge, but nobody moves,” said a second man.
As they departed, hoping to pass the checkpoint, one man put up a shaka, the traditional Hawaiian hand greeting.
