Maui focuses on recovery despite stark reminders of devastation that claimed 110 lives in Hawaii fires
Officials say it will be a painstakingly slow process of identifying the dead. Residents on the island are being encouraged to give DNA swabs to help identify loved ones as search crews continue to comb through the rubble in Lahaina.
Hawaii fire survivors mourning the loss of life, property as search for victims continues
As crews continue to search for victims of Hawaii’s deadly wildfires last week, survivors are mourning not only the loss of life but property as well. FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray as the latest from Maui.
In anticipation of a surge in fatalities caused by the recent disaster, a mobile morgue has been dispatched to Maui as the island begins to recover from the lethal infernos, and crews continue to fight any remaining fires.
Local authorities reported on Wednesday that there were 110 confirmed fatalities but admitted the victim count was not an accurate representation of where the final death toll will end up, alluding to more heartbreaking news to come.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said only around 35% of the region has been thoroughly searched with weeks of work ahead.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said. "As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort in this most difficult time."
RAIN FORECAST FOR HAWAII WON’T HELP FIRE-RAVAGED MAUI AS CREWS WORK TO CONTAIN DEADLY BLAZES
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Image 1 of 12Lahaina, Maui, Monday, August 14, 2023 - Supplies are gathered and delivered to Lahaina neighborhoods. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
![The sun rises over the ashes left behind by wildfires on the island of Maui in Hawaii on Aug. 15, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 12The sun rises over the ashes left behind by wildfires on the island of Maui in Hawaii on Aug. 15, 2023. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 3 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 4 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 5 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 6 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 7 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 8 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 9 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 10 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 11 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
![Of the three fires that burned, officials say the Kula Fire in Upcountry Maui destroyed over 500 structures and charred nearly 700 acres.]()
Image 12 of 12One week after the deadliest wildfire in recent American history, loss of life continues to rise and confusion mounts as locals, elected officials, military and non-governmental organizations work around the clock to ease the tragedy. (Robert Ray)
Crews continue search efforts amid recovery
Officials say it will be a painstakingly slow process of identifying the dead. Residents on the island are being encouraged to give DNA swabs to help identify loved ones as search crews continue to comb through the rubble in Lahaina.
More than 2,200 buildings in the town have been damaged or destroyed by the fire – the majority of them homes.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of developers contacting fire victims, asking to buy their burned-out properties. Hawaii’s governor is now considering a moratorium on land sales after the fire.
Cadaver dog teams carry out search operations in Hawaii's Lahaina area
U.S. Army Gen. Charles A. Flynn, Commander U.S. Army Pacific Command, joins Combined Joint Task Force 50 (CJTF-50) in surveying the wildfire disaster and search and rescue efforts with first responders in Lahaina, Maui, on Tuesday.
"Some people took out of context the comment I made a day or two ago about purchasing land. That is to protect it for our people so that it's not stolen by people on the mainland," Green said. "This is not ever about the government getting land. This is the people's land, and the people will decide what to do with Lahaina."
Aid resources and volunteers continue to pour onto the island. The Biden administration has also announced one-time payments of $700 to families impacted by the fires. A presidential visit to Maui is expected Monday, FOX Weather's Max Gorden confirmed with White House officials.
"Jill and I are going to travel to Hawaii as soon as we can," Biden said. "That's what I've been talking to the governor about. I don't want to get in the way. I've been to too many disaster areas, but I want to go and make sure we get everything they need. I want to be sure we don't disrupt the ongoing recovery efforts."
Hawaii fires death toll rises to 106 as search for missing ramps up
The death toll from the devastating wildfires in Hawaii has risen to 106 as the search for those who remain missing ramps up with 20 cadaver dogs working to identify human remains.
Residents warned to be cautious
The National Guard said they have two military helicopters on standby for any immediate firefighting needs as ground crews work to contain the fires.
The fire in Upcountry/Kula has been contained to 75% with over 675 acres burned, officials say. As for Lahaina, the fire has been contained to 85% with an estimated 2,170 acres charred.
Hawaiian Electric Co. reports that power has been restored to all but 2,000 of the 12,400 customers affected by the fire in West Maui. The remaining 2,000 homes and businesses were destroyed. Gasoline is now available at four gas stations in Lahaina as power has been restored.
Water testing was conducted on Monday for the Lahaina and Upper Kula areas affected by the wildfires. The tests were sent to Oahu and are being analyzed by the State Department of Health.
In an effort to grant new access to the full scope of the devastation, the governor has opened the road to Lahaina with limited late-night access.
'I've never seen anything move so fast': Hawaii resident details smoke overtaking Lahaina from fires
Lahaina resident and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Keith Hunter discusses the tragic fires that have destroyed much of the island.
State health officials are warning residents and business owners to be cautious when returning due to toxic ash, cancer-causing chemicals, as well as debris that could cause injury. Additionally, unstable buildings and structures may contain hazardous materials and could collapse.
On Wednesday, Consul General Lee Seo Young will present a $2 million donation to Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke on behalf of the Republic of Korea. The donation will support Maui's fire relief, recovery, and humanitarian aid efforts.