The death toll from the Lahaina fire could double or even triple from the current total of 99, cautioned Hawaii Governor Josh Green.
The Lahaina fire, one of several blazes that erupted on Maui starting Aug. 8, has reduced more than 2,700 structures to ashes, with an estimated loss of $5.6 billion.
“We are prepared for many tragic stories,” Green said in a recorded media talk. “They will find 10 to 20 people per day, probably, until they finish. And it’s probably going to take 10 days. It’s impossible to guess, really.”
Green’s prediction about the death toll further darkens the record of this blaze, marking it as the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century. If the anticipated discovery rate persists, the death toll could potentially rise to between 200 and 300 casualties.
Green attributed the exceptionally high death toll to the unprecedented “fire hurricane” phenomenon, a term he coined in the context of global warming’s influence on the disaster.
“This is the largest natural disaster we’ve ever experienced,” Green said at a Saturday night news conference. “It’s going to also be a natural disaster that’s going to take an incredible amount of time to recover from.”
Gov. Green further said the search will take time and asked for space to do it properly. “For those people who have walked into Lahaina because they really wanted to see, know that they’re very likely walking on iwi,” he said at a news conference on Maui, using the Hawaiian word for “bones.”
Officials will begin disclosing the identities of the deceased starting Tuesday, according to Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier.
It felt like an apocalypse
Maui firefighter Tasha Pagdilao shared the heartbreaking loss of her uncle due to the fire. Reflecting on her experience battling the flames, she described it as a surreal encounter.
“It felt like an apocalypse,” Pagdilao recounted on “CNN This Morning” on Monday. “The world seemed engulfed in flames.”
Pagdilao appealed to the public, urging them to grant the community the necessary time to recover before venturing into the impacted regions. “I understand that many are eager to return to Lahaina and assess the aftermath, but please allow our first responders the space they need,” she emphasized.
Carole Hartley’s sister, Donna Gardner Hartley, depicted Carole as a “free spirit” with an inclination to seek the positive in people and lend assistance.
Carole and her partner, Charles Paxton, were attempting to evacuate when smoke overpowered them, leading to their separation, as shared by Gardner Hartley in her conversation with CNN.
Charles Paxton’s friends eventually located him, and he coordinated a search mission to locate Carole. Sadly, the search party discovered her remains on the couple’s property over the weekend, relayed Gardner Hartley.
Relief and Recovery Efforts
Thousands of Maui residents enrolled in FEMA disaster aid as efforts to recover and rebuild continued after the devastating wildfire. Despite almost a week since the fire swept through Lahaina, numerous individuals remained missing, and their families held onto hope for their safe return.
FEMA officials highlighted the ongoing operation as a search-and-rescue mission, citing communication challenges that might hinder people from reconnecting with their loved ones.
The Red Cross actively assisted with reuniting families, having already resolved about 800 out of over 2,500 inquiries received at their call centers.
FEMA is operating five emergency shelters, accommodating 575 people. Many affected households are transitioning from shelters to staying with relatives or choosing makeshift arrangements like camping in parking lots.
The federal government encouraged survivors to register for FEMA assistance through programs designed to address immediate needs, such as Critical Needs Assistance providing a one-time $700 payment, and the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program allowing survivors to stay in designated hotels.
Boeing, a prominent aerospace company, contributed $500,000 towards wildfire relief in Maui, partnering with organizations like the American Red Cross and Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund to support disaster recovery efforts. Additionally, airlines like Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines played a crucial role in evacuating and assisting those affected by the wildfires.
Developments in the disaster include:
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed 416 personnel to Hawaii, including Administrator Deanne Criswell. They provided dozens of searchers and 20 search dogs to assist in locating human remains in Lahaina.
- The number of missing persons on Maui dwindled from over 2,000 to approximately 1,300 as cellphone service was gradually restored.
- Governor Green announced the securing of nearly 2,000 housing units, including 402 hotel rooms and 1,400 Airbnb units starting the following Tuesday. Additionally, 160 residents offered their homes to families in need.
- The Upcountry/Kula fire, spanning about 678 acres, achieved 60% containment, while the Lahaina fire, covering an estimated 2,170 acres, reached 85% containment.
- Search efforts, initially initiated with one dog, have escalated to include 20 canines. Chief Pelletier aims to cover 85-90% of the fire-affected area by the weekend; currently, 25% has been searched.
Amidst the crisis, Maui locals are rallying together, supporting each other with food and shelter in the absence of basic resources.