Death certificate revised to include wildfire in Maui fire victim’s death
At age 78, Sharlene Rabang and her calico cat faced a perilous 24-hour journey fleeing the wildfire that ravaged her town on Maui. After escaping the blaze that destroyed her home and took everything she owned, Rabang arrived at a family home on another Hawaii island, where she would tragically take her last breath almost a month later.
During the ordeal, the frail but feisty Rabang sought refuge in a bedroom, desperately trying to recover from the arduous escape. Meanwhile, her daughter sought medical aid after Rabang began coughing and feeling weak, fearing it to be asthma or the flu. However, Rabang’s health rapidly declined, and she tragically died with her daughter holding her hand.
Although Rabang had a complex medical history, including battles with cancer, COVID, and high blood pressure, Honolulu’s medical examiner originally neglected to attribute the cause of her death to the wildfire. It wasn’t until November last year that the medical examiner revised her death certificate to include smoke inhalation from fleeing the wildfire as a contributing factor.
The report from the medical examiner stated that Rabang became the 100th victim of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century, which devastated the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The August 8 fire, fueled by winds from a hurricane to the south, destroyed an estimated 3,000 homes and apartments in Lahaina. Victims, including Rabang, were disproportionately those who were older, had diminished capacity to respond to danger, or were low-income — with 60 of the 100 victims being 65 or older.
Among the victims were seniors residing in a low-income senior apartment complex, including 97-year-old Louise Abihai, whose great-granddaughter Kailani Amine expressed concerns about the care and respect for elders in the midst of disaster.
Relatives of victims have expressed their grief and anger over the tragic loss of their loved ones and the inability to spend their final years with them. The pain is most pronounced during the holiday season.
The tragic event brings to light the need to consider and plan for vulnerable populations during disasters, such as wildfires. Erica Fleishman, the director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, emphasized that there are resources and capabilities to minimize risks and support those most susceptible to the impact of disasters.
For Rabang, who was alone at home when the wildfire struck, her son, Brandon, ultimately convinced her to evacuate, but they were both exposed to the intense heat and smoke. Following a harrowing night in a car with her faithful calico cat, Rabang’s health continued to decline, leading to her tragic passing nearly a month later.
Her death has struggled to be recognized as a fire victim, causing financial and emotional turmoil for the family. After a long battle with authorities, the medical examiner’s office finally revised Rabang’s death certificate to include smoke inhalation as a contributing factor to her death, bringing some closure to her family after months of stress and grief.
Sharlene Rabang may have faced immense challenges, but she was known for her toughness and stubbornness, refusing to use a wheelchair even during intense bouts of joint pain and battling various health conditions. Her family can now mourn and honor her memory properly, knowing that she was recognized as a victim of the catastrophic Maui wildfire that claimed her life.