Wildfire Death Toll Rises to 114 in Devastated Lahaina, Maui
Maui officials have confirmed that the death toll from the wildfires that swept through Lahaina has now reached at least 114, with the search for hundreds of missing people continuing. Lahaina, a historic coastal port city, was almost completely destroyed by the blaze. Only six of the victims have been publicly identified so far.
In an emotional livestream address, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and his wife, Jaime Green, expressed their sorrow for the devastating loss. Jaime Green stated, “Tragically, it took less than a single day for us to lose Lahaina in the deadliest fire our country has seen in more than a century.”
The wildfires in Lahaina were part of a series of four fires that broke out on August 8. The governor confirmed that over 2,200 structures have been destroyed and another 500 have been damaged in the blaze. The loss of lives has been described as far more devastating than any material loss.
Efforts to search and recover human remains have been underway, with federal search and rescue personnel and cadaver dogs canvassing about 60% of the burn area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that between 1,100 and 1,300 people remain unaccounted for. To assist in the identification process, six forensic anthropologists from the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency are working on gathering and identifying human remains, utilizing their expertise in DNA verification.
Maui is now receiving aid from approximately 1,000 federal responders on the ground, and approximately 6,000 residents have registered for federal assistance. FEMA has already provided $5.6 million to 2,000 households. Authorities are working towards emptying crowded shelters and providing displaced residents with hotel accommodations and additional disaster aid.
Amidst the recovery efforts, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced that a temporary replacement will be appointed for the Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator who resigned after the decision not to sound outdoor warning sirens during the fire. The decision has been heavily criticized, alongside water shortages that hindered firefighting efforts and an escape route overwhelmed by vehicles.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Justice Department has deployed federal emergency response teams, including professionals from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the U.S. Marshals Service. Additionally, an outside organization will conduct an independent review of the government’s response to the disaster.
Concerns have been raised about the speed of the rebuilding process and the potential impact on the community. Some residents fear that the rebuilt town could become more focused on attracting wealthy visitors. Activists have urged Gov. Green to allow residents time to grieve and participate in the recovery decision-making process, so that the future development of Lahaina is not at the expense of community control.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to visit the island on Monday to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to the affected community.