Hawaii fires deadliest natural disaster in state history
12-08-2023, 09:19

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

The Hawaii wildfires have reached a grim milestone as the death toll rose to 67, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history.

Hundreds more have been reported missing and the toll may still rise.

It comes as some Lahaina residents are being allowed to briefly return home on Friday to take stock of the damage to their fire-ravaged town.

They returned amid warnings they would be greeted by "destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives".

State officials reopened Lahaina to people with proof of residency on Friday for the first time since flames swept rapidly through early this week, razing much of the historic town.

People who had been evacuated with only the clothes on their backs told the BBC they were concerned it may be hard to prove their residency.

A curfew will operate daily from 22:00 to 06:00 local time, and some of the hardest hit parts of the town remain restricted to search and rescue personnel.

West Maui, where Lahaina is located, is still without power and water. Search crews are still in the area looking for wildfire victims.

That includes in the water. The Coast Guard said it had pulled 17 people alive from the water near the town's harbour so far. All were reported to be in a stable condition.

But Gabe Lucy, who owns a tour operator on Maui, told the BBC that he was hearing of horrific scenes.

"People were jumping in the water and I think for a lot of them the fire wrapped around so quick that the only way to escape was go down to the water's edge," said Mr Lucy, whose captains were called in to help rescue people.

He added that they were "picking up four-year-olds and putting them surfboards and pulling them out" and that he had heard reports of "bodies on the rocks".

On the Honoapiilani Highway - one of the only available routes into Lahaina - cars sat bumper-to-bumper, with families looking tired and worried alongside trucks carrying water and fuel.

One family told the BBC they had stayed in Lahaina through the worst of the fire, only leaving on Thursday to buy much-needed supplies.

Their house was still standing, but they have been "sitting in the dark".

The family told the BBC they believed the number of confirmed dead, though already high, would rise further. "On our street alone it's 50 people," one family member said.

Governor Josh Green warned Hawaiians on Friday what they found in Lahaina would be difficult.

"Lahaina is a devastated zone. They will see destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives," said the governor, who visited the town on Thursday. "Be very safe, be very careful."

He said it will take many years to repair the damage caused by wildfires on the island of Maui. More than 1,000 buildings had been destroyed in Lahaina, a coastal town with a rich history that attracts some two million tourists a year.

On Friday, Maui County officials also confirmed 12 additional deaths in Lahaina.

That makes it Hawaii's deadliest natural disaster, eclipsing the toll of a tsunami in 1960 that killed 61 people.

Hawaii's Attorney General has announced a "comprehensive review" into how the authorities responded to the wildfires.

That is as questions mount over whether officials warned residents fast enough.

Despite some residents being allowed to return to Lahaina on Friday, many of the evacuees at the War Memorial Stadium shelter, about 20 miles (32km) from the historic town, say they are not in a rush to go back.

Most of them witnessed their homes beginning to catch fire as they barely escaped and are certain that nothing remains to return to.

Many told the BBC they were just grateful to be alive.

Rebuilding is expected to require billions of dollars. Thousands of people have been left homeless.

There are six shelters in operation on Maui for those displaced, and officials said they were drafting a plan to house them in hotels and tourist rental properties.

In recent days, donations have been rolling in to relief and aid organisations on Maui.

The island is home to many wealthy people, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. He and his partner Lauren Sanchez have pledged $100m (£79m) to help the fire victims.

Wildfires on Hawaii's Maui island and Big Island began on Tuesday night. The cause is still not known but once lit, hurricane winds and dry weather helped fuel the flames.

 

BBC

Comments: 3125
#1005   Drew
      
dianabol winstrol cycle

References:


valley.md
10 August 2025 07:49
#1004   Johnathan
      
Here is my blog; PokerTube
10 August 2025 01:29
#1003   Belen
      
my website - highstakes 777
9 August 2025 22:06
#1002   Alfred
      
9 August 2025 19:55
#1001   Iona
      
My page - Https //Dl.Highstakesweeps.Com Login

Also visit my website: Free Poker

my homepage Play Poker online
9 August 2025 19:45
#1000   Ira
      
Also visit my blog: High stake

My webpage ... Highstakes download
9 August 2025 06:42
#999   Irving
      
Feel free to visit my homepage - PokerTube - Watch Free Poker Videos & TV Shows
9 August 2025 01:39
#998   Venetta
      
Only a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw
great layout.

Feel free to surf to my site - Best Online Poker (l.r.u.scv.kd)
8 August 2025 23:38
#997   Hong
      
Here is my web site: PokerTube
8 August 2025 23:17
#996   Shani
      
8 August 2025 22:10
#995   Marlys
      
high roller online casino download

References:


blackcoin.co
8 August 2025 18:58
#994   Mayra
      
hello!,I really like your writing very so much!

proportion we communicate more approximately your post on AOL?

I need an expert on this house to solve my problem. Maybe that is you!
Looking forward to look you.

Take a look at my webpage :: safest poker sites
8 August 2025 18:10
#993   Chantal
      
I don't ordinarily comment but I gotta state thanks for the post
on this perfect one :D.

Stop by my website - Play Poker Online (WWW.Kepenk Trsfcdhf.Hfhjf.Hdasgsdfhdshshfsh@Forum.Annecy-Outdoor.com)
8 August 2025 06:57
#992   Kristal
      
Good info. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I have book marked it for later!

Also visit my site - Website
8 August 2025 01:01
#991   Ofelia
      
Here is my web blog Bradly

Look at my web page - Pokertube - Watch Free Poker Videos & Tv Shows
7 August 2025 19:51
#990   Stevie
      
My web-site - Poker online
7 August 2025 16:49
#989   Flossie
      
7 August 2025 12:03
#988   Weldon
      
7 August 2025 08:24
#987   Victoria
      
Also visit my page - Poker casino
7 August 2025 04:36
#986   Patti
      
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask.

Does managing a well-established website like yours require a
large amount of work? I'm brand new to operating a blog
however I do write in my journal on a daily
basis. I'd like to start a blog so I will be able to share
my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if
you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new
aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

Also visit my site: poker site rankings, Iris,
7 August 2025 02:10
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *