Survivors Face Challenges Rebuilding Lives After Deadly Wildfires in Maui
LAHAINA, Hawaii – Survivors of the devastating wildfires in Maui are facing significant challenges as they try to rebuild their lives. The wildfires, which have claimed the lives of 106 people so far, have left survivors dealing with intermittent power and unreliable cell service as they seek assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.
Experts are working tirelessly to locate and identify the deceased. As the death toll continues to rise, the arrival of a mobile morgue unit with additional coroners on Tuesday aims to aid in the daunting task of sorting through the remains. However, Governor Josh Green has warned that a new storm could complicate search and recovery efforts.
A week after the wildfire engulfed the historic town of Lahaina, communication on the island remains difficult. Some individuals have resorted to walking to a seawall where phone connections are the strongest. Additionally, a single-prop airplane has been flying low off the coast, using a loudspeaker to provide information on where to find essential supplies such as water.
Thousands of people are currently seeking shelter in hotels, Airbnb units, or with friends. However, around 2,000 homes and businesses are still without electricity, and the fire has also contaminated water supplies in many areas.
Victoria Martocci, who lost her scuba business and a boat, plans to visit her storage unit to secure documents and keepsakes that were given to her by a friend whose house was destroyed in the fire.
Meanwhile, the county has released the names of two victims: 74-year-old Robert Dyckman and 79-year-old Buddy Jantoc. These are the first of five victims that have been identified so far.
Efforts to secure remains using cadaver dogs are underway, but officials fear that possible storms forecasted for the weekend could complicate the task. Governor Green emphasized the urgency of completing recovery operations before adverse weather conditions make it even more challenging to determine the final number of casualties. Crews have covered approximately 32% of the burn area, but there is a possibility of finding more bodies. These wildfires are already the deadliest the United States has experienced in over a century.
In light of the criticism faced by the local power utility for leaving power on during strong winds, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., Shelee Kimura, stated that several factors are considered in deciding whether to cut power, including the impact on individuals who rely on specialized medical equipment and concerns over water pump functionality.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier appealed to families with missing relatives to provide DNA samples for identification purposes. So far, 41 samples have been submitted, resulting in 13 DNA profiles from remains that have been obtained. Additionally, federal officials have dispatched a mobile morgue unit with coroners, pathologists, and technicians to assist in identifying the deceased.
Governor Green expressed his deep sadness over the fact that children are among the casualties, highlighting the immense difficulties faced by search and recovery teams in the affected areas.
The Lahaina fire, which destroyed nearly all the buildings in the town of 13,000, has been 85% contained, according to the county. Another fire, known as the Upcountry fire, is currently 75% contained.
The Lahaina fire is estimated to have caused approximately $3.2 billion in insured property losses, according to Karen Clark & Company, a disaster and risk modeling company. This figure does not include damage to uninsured property. Over 2,200 buildings have been damaged or destroyed by flames, with an additional 3,000 structures affected by fire or smoke.
President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to visit Hawaii as soon as possible, pledging his support for recovery and cleanup efforts. However, he is mindful not to interrupt ongoing recovery operations.
Kekoa Lansford, a resident of Lahaina, is actively collecting stories from survivors in an effort to document the events surrounding the devastating wildfire.
The aftermath of the wildfire has left a haunting scene, as described by Lansford, who witnessed the destruction firsthand. He expressed the horror of witnessing a landscape reminiscent of something out of a movie. With fire everywhere and the presence of deceased individuals, strong emotions of grief and devastation linger in the hearts of survivors.
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Kelleher reported from Honolulu and Weber from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Bobby Caina Calvan in Kihei, Hawaii; Haven Daley in Kalapua, Hawaii; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Missouri; and Darlene Superville and Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report.