LAHAINA: The death toll in Hawaii’s deadliest wildfire in over a century is expected to exceed 100, raising concerns about the adequacy of the official response and triggering a wave of criticism. As the search for victims continues amidst the charred remnants of Lahaina, the historic coastal town on the island of Maui, survivors are demanding answers and accountability for the devastating loss of life.
Late on Saturday, officials confirmed the toll to be 93, but they cautioned that the number is likely to rise as recovery teams, aided by cadaver dogs, painstakingly search through the ruins of homes and vehicles at the heart of the tragedy. The rapidly moving inferno that engulfed Lahaina in the early hours of Wednesday virtually destroyed the town, leaving survivors to recount a lack of warnings and time to escape.
One glaring question has emerged: Why were none of the island’s sirens activated? Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono acknowledged the gravity of the situation during a CNN interview on Sunday and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
“I’m not going to make any excuses for this tragedy,” Hirono, a Democrat, stated during CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We are really focused, as far as I’m concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies.”
Destruction from Hawaii’s Devastating Wildfire
The devastating blaze tore through Lahaina, damaging or destroying more than 2,200 structures, according to official estimates. The resulting damage has been estimated at a staggering $5.5 billion, leaving thousands homeless in its wake.
Chief John Pelletier of the Maui Police described the grim scene, stating, “The remains we are finding are from a fire that melted metal. When we pick up the remains… they fall apart.”
Lahaina’s iconic 150-year-old banyan tree, a symbol of resilience, stands scarred yet upright amid the ruins. The devastation has prompted President Joe Biden to consider visiting the island to assess the situation firsthand.
This catastrophe marks the deadliest wildfire in the United States since 1918, surpassing the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in California. The lack of emergency alerts due to power outages left many residents unaware of the approaching danger. Emergency sirens remained silent, and residents discovered the blaze primarily through word of mouth, a situation that has fueled growing frustration and anger.
Vilma Reed, a resident who lost her home to the fire, expressed her dismay, recounting, “The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack… You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us.”
As questions mount over the response, Maui’s wildfires mirror a summer of extreme weather events across North America, Canada’s ongoing record-breaking wildfires, and a blistering heatwave in the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also experienced devastating fires and floods, amplifying the urgency of addressing the impacts of human-caused global warming on natural hazards.
