The road to Lahaina is forever scarred by the firestorm which ravaged the town. The devastating aftermath has reduced Lahaina to ashes. Its impact will last for many years.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said, “What we witnessed today is likely the largest natural catastrophe in Hawaii State history.” “It’s going take a long time to recover.”
The normally tranquil island has become a scene that resembles a war-torn wasteland. As the death toll rises, officials are restricting access to the town. According to a Friday evening press release by the Maui County Government, at least 67 deaths have been confirmed in the blazes that destroyed the historic tourist destination.
The number of people still missing is not known. Green estimates that around 1,000 people have not been found.
Green stated that “the bones of those lost will be actively recovered over the next days and weeks.” It will take some time to gain perspective. Lahaina will take many years to rebuild.
The evacuation of survivors from Maui Island continues to this day.
Richard Bissen Jr., Maui County mayor, said: “As you know, this is an urgent situation. People left without taking anything along with them.” Most of the time, there is no other choice.
Communication has been difficult on the west side of Maui due to the destruction of cell towers and phone lines. There are now mobile hotspots, but the struggle to reach loved ones has been excruciating.
Since Tuesday, gusts up to 85 miles per hour have grounded firefighting planes and decimated some communities in Maui. The fires have not been fully contained and the cause of their origin is unknown.
Fires were exacerbated by the dry conditions and violent winds that resulted from a change in pressure between a strong high-pressure system to the north, and Hurricane Dora passing hundreds of miles off the coast.
According to the governor, the fire damaged more than 1,000 Lahaina buildings, including the 150-year-old Banyan Tree.
Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator said that the landmark was “still standing”, but smoldering.
GoHawaii.com reports that the Banyan was planted in 1873 in front of Lahaina’s courthouse and harbor. The tree towers over an entire block of Front Street and is more than 60 feet tall.
The governor stated that “you will be shocked when you see the extent of destruction in Lahaina.” “It looks like a fire and bomb went off.”
Six emergency shelters are open on the entire island as of Friday. Firefighters are continuing to work in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, to contain and extinguish fires.
Nearly three dozen firefighters of the Honolulu Fire Department assisted in the firefighting efforts. A nine-member team of search and rescue personnel also arrived early on Friday morning.
Visitors who want to leave Maui should book a flight through an airline. Officials reported that 14,900 tourists left Maui on Thursday.
According to the governor, the fire damaged more than 1,000 Lahaina buildings, including the 150-year-old Banyan Tree.
Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator said that the landmark was “still standing”, but smoldering.
GoHawaii.com reports that the Banyan was planted in 1873 in front of Lahaina’s courthouse and harbor. The tree towers over an entire block of Front Street and is more than 60 feet tall.
The governor stated that “you will be shocked when you see the extent of destruction in Lahaina.” “It looks like a fire and bomb went off.”
Six emergency shelters are open on the entire island as of Friday. Firefighters are continuing to work in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, where they continue to fight fires.
Nearly three dozen firefighters of the Honolulu Fire Department assisted in the firefighting efforts. A nine-member team of search and rescue personnel also arrived early on Friday morning.
Visitors who want to leave Maui should book a flight through an airline. Officials reported that 14,900 tourists left Maui on Thursday.
Fleetwoods. pic.twitter.com/yETRES5NqU
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) August 10, 2023
The full extent of the damage is likely to be in the billions, but the damage done already will make this fire one of 2023’s most important events and the deadliest event since California’s Camp Fire killed 88 people in 2018
Maui County faces a daunting task, despite the mayor’s assurance that the island will bounce back after the worst disaster to hit the islands since the 1992 hurricane Iniki.
Bissen Jr. stated, “We will rebuild and support one another again.” This is the time to unite. It is time to take care of each other.
