Wildfire Roars Through Hawaii’s Historic Lahaina
President Joe Biden is heading to Hawaii on Monday to survey the damage caused by the devastating wildfires that have swept through the historic town of Lahaina. So far, the wildfires have claimed the lives of 114 victims. In response to criticism over his handling of the disaster, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will meet with federal, state, and local leaders, as well as survivors and first responders.
The mayor of Maui, Richard Bissen, has reported that approximately 850 people are still missing. The search and identification of victims has been a slow and arduous process, with only 27 victims identified so far.
As the community begins to rebuild, locals are now preparing for potential storm effects as the remnants of post-tropical cyclone Fernanda move towards the state. Heavy rainfall is expected between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
Concerns have also been raised over why sirens were not used to warn Lahaina residents about the wildfires, and whether this failure may have cost lives.
In a recent update, five more victims of the wildfires have been identified by the County of Maui. They include Conchita Sagudang, 75, and Danilo Sagudang, 55, both from Lahaina. Rodolfo Rocutan, 76, and Jonathan “Jon” Somaoang, 76, both from Lahaina, and Angelita Vasquez, 88, also from Lahaina.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has revealed that there are still approximately 850 people missing. However, this number is a significant improvement from initial fears that up to 2,000 people were unaccounted for. Over 1,287 individuals have been located safe.
The death toll from the Maui wildfires has now reached 114, making it the deadliest wildfire in America in the last century. Survivors and city officials are now grappling with the devastating aftermath and mourning the loss of loved ones. There are concerns that real estate developers may take advantage of the tragedy for land grabs.
In addition to the tragedy caused by the wildfires, Maui residents are now facing concerns about their future livelihoods, as the tourist industry, which is crucial to the local economy, has suffered greatly. One business owner expressed hope that tourists will return to the Hawaiian island soon.
Volunteers have been working tirelessly to assist Maui survivors, showing a strong sense of community and support.
President Biden has announced plans to appoint FEMA Regional Administrator Bob Fenton as the Chief Federal Response Coordinator for Maui. This appointment aims to oversee the long-term coordinated federal recovery efforts as Hawaii begins the process of rebuilding after the wildfires.
The situation in Lahaina remains dire, with many families still searching for missing loved ones and struggling to rebuild their lives. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the community is determined to come together and overcome this tragedy.