Title: Maui County Releases Validated List of Unaccounted For Individuals; Lawsuit Filed Against Hawaiian Electric
Date: August 15, 20XX
UPDATE: 8:15 p.m.
Maui County has released a validated list of 388 individuals who are reported unaccounted for after the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire disaster. County officials are urging the public to help identify those who can be accounted for. The list, compiled by the FBI, includes the first and last names of the individuals, as well as verified contact numbers. The Maui Police Department is seeking information from the public regarding anyone on the list who can be accounted for. The full list can be viewed at www.mauinuistrong.info/unaccountedfor.
If you recognize a name on the list and have information about the person’s safety or their whereabouts, please contact the FBI immediately at (808) 566-4300 or [email protected].
5:15 p.m.
The Maui Police Department has identified eight additional victims of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire. The total number of confirmed fatalities now stands at 115. The victims, all from Lahaina, are Todd Nakamura, Bernard Portabes, Tony Takafua, Salote Tone, Faaoso Tone, Maluifonua Tone, Bette Jo Dyckman, and Rebecca Rans. Of the 115 confirmed fatalities, 35 have been identified and their families notified, while 11 have been identified but their families have not yet been located or notified.
The Olinda fire is currently 85% contained and has consumed approximately 1,081 acres. A helicopter has been deployed to address any remaining hot spots. The Kula fire is also 85% contained and has burned an estimated 202 acres. Fire crews are working to extinguish hot spots, and the fire activity is primarily located in hard-to-reach gulches. The Lahaina fire, which has consumed approximately 2,170 acres, remains 90% contained with no significant flareups reported in recent days. The Pulehu/Kihei fire was declared 100% contained on Aug. 12.
3 p.m.
Maui County has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Maui Electric Co., alleging that their negligence led to the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina fires. The lawsuit claims that Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries failed to turn off power to their electrical equipment despite a National Weather Service “red flag warning” on Aug. 7. It also accuses the company of failing to maintain its systems and power grid, resulting in three separate fires on Aug. 8. Hawaiian Electric officials expressed disappointment over the lawsuit and emphasized their commitment to supporting Maui County during this challenging time.
It has been reported that a total of 115 fatalities have been confirmed from the Lahaina fires, which burned over 3,000 acres, destroyed more than 2,200 structures, and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. Maui County’s lawsuit is one of several civil suits filed against Hawaiian Electric, including one filed by the company’s stockholders.
Bloomberg News also reported that investors have sued Hawaiian Electric Industries for securities fraud, claiming that the utility’s compromised safety protocols and failure to cut off power where necessary contributed to the decline in the company’s share price.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The state Supreme Court has denied a petition by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which claimed that a judge’s ruling hindered efforts to fight the Upcountry wildfires. The court stated that the board failed to establish a clear right to the relief requested. The petition specifically addressed a dispute over the use of East Maui water. The fires in Olinda and Kula that began on Aug. 8 are currently 85% contained, with firefighters focusing on extinguishing remaining hot spots.
Bloomberg News contributed to this report.