Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
The death toll from the devastating wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii, has now climbed to 55 – as officials warned that the loss of life is expected to rise further.
Another 17 fatalities were confirmed on Thursday, taking the toll to 53 victims. By Thursday night, another two people had been found dead, Maui County confirmed.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said on Thursday evening that around 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, as he said that the Aloha State is headed for its deadliest disaster in state history.
Mr Green said that those unaccounted for are not presumed dead but that hundreds have been left without communications and so their safety is unclear.
“Here’s the challenge: there’s no power, no internet, no phone, no radio. You compound some of that. So when we’re speaking to our officers, we need them to get a sat phone,” he said.
The wildfires continue to devastate Lahaina, with more than 1,700 buildings and billions of dollars in property destroyed.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said that the historic town has been totally wiped out.
“It’s all gone. None of it’s there. It’s all burnt to the ground,” he said.
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VOICES: Maui is my home – after the wildfires, I no longer recognise the place I love
“It’s raining on the North Shore of Maui this morning where I live. But the rain is too late, and in the wrong place, to help the Maui Fire Department save the historic town of Lahaina.
“I’m an English ex-pat, naturalized both to the US and to the islands of Hawaii after 17 years. Maui is my home. As a resident of Maui, married into a family born and raised on the island, the loss of Lahaina’s Old Town is devastating.
“First and foremost is the loss of life. Maui is a small island; everyone knows everyone, or at least knows someone who knows everyone.”
Rich Hill writes for The Independent:
Rachel Sharp11 August 2023 12:55
Collin Morikawa has roots in Lahaina. He’s pledging $1,000 per birdie for Hawaii fires relief
Collin Morikawa is pledging $1,000 for every birdie he makes the next three PGA Tour events to help with relief for the deadly wildfires in Hawaii. For him, it’s personal.
His grandparents were born in Lahaina, the historic town on Maui where Front Street and all its restaurants and shops have been obliterated by the wind-swept fires that have claimed at least 36 lives. He still has relatives on Maui, though most have moved to Oahu.
“I think they’re all right, but just to hear … woke up this morning, just checking the news, and to see how many people have passed away from that, yeah. I’m at a loss for words,” Morikawa said.
Morikawa, who won the PGA Championship and the British Open within two years after graduating from California-Berkeley, began his bid Thursday with six birdies in his opening round of 65 in the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
He posted his plans on Instagram on Thursday morning, and by the end of the day had decided to send the money raised to Maui United Way and World Central Kitchen to help survivors on Maui and elsewhere in Hawaii.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 August 2023 12:45
Hawaiian Airlines offers $19 flights for people to escape Maui wildfires
Hawaiian Airlines is offering $19 flights for people to escape the Maui wildfires, a spokesperson for the airlines has said.
Hurricane-fuelled winds have ignited fires in Hawaii, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 55 people and 1,000 people still missing.
It was announced that Hawaiian Airlines will be offering one-way flights from Maui to Honolulu starting at $19 late Thursday.
Rachel Sharp11 August 2023 12:25
How to help or donate in response to the deadly wildfire in Maui
While rescue and emergency operations continued Thursday at the deadly wildfires that swept across the Hawaiian island of Maui, many people are already looking for ways to support the response and provide relief to those affected.
The full extent of the damage and the recovery needs may not be known for up to a week, said Regine Webster, vice president of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and she urged people to be patient before deciding where to give their support.
“You literally have to wait for the firefighters to complete their work before that damage assessment can be fully realized,” she said.
Philanthropy experts recommend giving to experienced organizations that are well-situated to respond to a specific disaster. Major disaster response organizations like the American Red Cross have said they are already communicating with local and federal governments to provide assistance.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 August 2023 12:05
‘Ash and debris’: Journalist covering Maui fires surveys destruction of once-vibrant Hawaii town
A Las Vegas-based video journalist for The Associated Press dispatched to cover devastating wind-fueled wildfires in Hawaii says the scene over Maui was one of the worst he’s seen in more than eight years of covering the disasters:
Maroosha Muzaffar11 August 2023 11:45
WATCH: Oprah Winfrey hands out supplies to those impacted by Maui wildfires
Oprah Winfrey hands out supplies to those impacted by Maui wildfires
Rachel Sharp11 August 2023 11:35
ICYMI: United Airlines only operating flights out of Maui to assist in evacuations
United Airlines said they have removed inbound flights to Kahului Airport to assist in evacuating visitors as the island battles wildfires.
The airlines said in a statement that they are monitoring the situation in Hawaii “closely” and “emphasising safety” of their employees in Maui, according to NBC News.
“We’ve canceled today’s inbound flights to Kahului Airport so our planes can fly empty to Maui and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland,” United said.
The airline is also offering refunds to passengers who want to cancel their flights.
Ariana Baio11 August 2023 11:25
Mick Fleetwood says his Hawaii restaurant was ‘lost’ in devastating Maui wildfires
Mick Fleetwood has confirmed that his restaurant in Hawaii has been burnt down by the ongoing deadly wildfires in Maui.
The Fleetwood Mac co-founder, 76, wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Fleetwood’s on Front Street “has been lost” as the fires rip through the historic town of Lahaina on the island.
Rachel Sharp11 August 2023 11:05
WATCH: Hawaii governor admits it will take ‘many years to recover’ from devastating wildfires
Hawaii governor admits it will take ‘many years to recover’ from devastating wildfires
Rachel Sharp11 August 2023 10:55
President Biden issues major disaster declaration as wildfires burn in Hawaii
President Joe Biden declared the wildfires in Hawaii to be a major disaster, allowing for the state to use federal funding in recovery efforts.
On Thursday, Mr Biden issued the declaration after 53 people died and thousands of others were evacuated as a result of the raging wildfires that burned through several areas of Maui, Hawaii and Ohau.
The fires, which began earlier this week, have caused extensive damage in towns, including the historic town of Lahaina, knocking out power and cellphone service.
Thousands of visitors and residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The new declaration will allow Hawaii to use federal funding to assist individual and business recovery efforts in Maui County.
Maroosha Muzaffar11 August 2023 10:45
