The number of missing individuals from the devastating Maui wildfire remains high, with 385 people still unaccounted for, according to the official list released on Friday. This figure is nearly unchanged from a week ago, despite efforts to locate and remove those previously listed. The Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 245 people from the original list of 388 had been located, but a similar number of new names were added to the list.
The updated total was a surprising departure from the initial expectations. Just a day earlier, Governor Josh Green stated his belief that the number would drop below 100. In a video posted on social media, Green expressed relief, saying, “We think the number has dropped down into the double digits, so thank God.”
Governor Green further commented on the fluctuating numbers of fatalities and missing persons, emphasizing that definite figures would take time to finalize. He stated that there are currently less than 50 “active missing person cases,” referring to individuals for whom more detailed information has been provided than the minimum requirements outlined by the FBI.
The wildfire, which swept through Lahaina, claimed the lives of at least 115 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century. So far, the names of 50 victims have been released, while the identities of five others are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The remaining victims have yet to be identified.
The fire destroyed the once-picturesque seaside town of Lahaina within a few hours on August 8. Strong wind gusts fueled the flames, causing rapid spread. Lahaina holds great historical significance in Hawaiian culture as the former capital of the Hawaiian kingdom and the residence of high-ranking chiefs. Over the years, it has become a popular tourist destination known for its oceanfront restaurants and a majestic 150-year-old banyan tree.
Currently, half of Lahaina’s 12,000 residents are living in hotels and short-term vacation rentals due to the destruction. The Environmental Protection Agency is leading the hazardous waste cleanup efforts in a burn zone that spans approximately 5 square miles. Reconstruction is expected to be a lengthy process that will cost billions of dollars.
Initially, over 1,000 people were believed to be missing based on reports from family, friends, and acquaintances. However, officials narrowed the list down to 388 individuals who were considered credibly missing. The names of these individuals were released to the public last week.
The updated list includes new names that have been added from the Red Cross, shelters, and other interested parties who contacted the FBI. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier called upon family members of the missing to submit their genetic data to aid in the identification process. Officials suspect that downed utility poles and powerlines may have caused the fire, and Maui County has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, the island’s electrical utility provider.
Local government officials have faced significant backlash for their response to the Lahaina fire. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has been criticized for his vague actions as the fire spread. Despite his responsibility to request emergency backup from the state, Bissen admitted to not calling the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Major General Kenneth Hara, the director of the agency, stated that he was initially unaware of crucial details about the fire and only learned of fatalities the following day.
Calls for Mayor Bissen’s resignation have intensified, but Governor Green urged caution when discussing the matter. He emphasized the importance of gathering all the facts before making any decisions. Meanwhile, the chief of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, Herman Andaya, resigned after defending his controversial decision not to activate the island’s warning sirens during the fire. Andaya argued that sounding the sirens would have caused confusion, potentially leading residents into the path of the blaze if they mistook the warning for a tsunami.
Darryl Oliveira has replaced Andaya as the head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. Oliveira, a former Hawaii Fire Department chief and the previous leader of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, now faces the daunting task of coordinating recovery efforts and ensuring the community’s safety in the wake of the devastating wildfire.