Historic Lahaina Burns in Hawaii Wildfires
The historic town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui has been ravaged by wildfires fanned by hurricane gusts.
State senator Brian Schatz stated on social media that Lahaina is “almost completely burned to the ground.”
At least six individuals were reportedly killed in Maui County on Wednesday, according to officials.
Burn patients and individuals suffering from smoke inhalation have overwhelmed Maui’s hospital system.
Mr. Schatz stated, “Firefighters are still working to contain the blazes, and our first responders are in search and rescue mode.”
According to early Wednesday morning reports, some individuals leaped into the ocean to escape the rapidly spreading fires. The US Coast Guard reported saving at least a dozen individuals from the water.
Richard Bissen Jr., the mayor of Maui County, stated at a news conference that many homes and businesses were utterly destroyed.
One resident of the approximately 12,000-person town told local media that every craft in the harbor was on fire.
“It looks like something out of a movie, a war movie,” Chrissy Lovitt said to Hawaii News Now.
Officials have stated that it is still difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage on Maui, and they have warned that the death toll could rise. Approximately 2,100 individuals have been uprooted.
Some relatives of Lahaina residents have expressed concern over absent family members.
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“I still don’t know where my little brother is,” Tiare Lawrence told Hawaii News Now. “I have no idea where my stepfather is.”
“Everyone I know in Lahaina, their homes have burned down,” Ms. Lawrence stated.
Due to the fires, thousands remain without power or cell phone service, and West Maui 911 services were down on Wednesday.
According to officials, three large flames remain active and uncontrolled on Maui.
Several fires are also smoldering on the neighboring island of Big Island, also known as Hawaii island.
The National Weather Service reported that Hurricane Dora, which passed Hawaii at a distance but carried with it winds exceeding 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) and low humidity, fanned the flames.
President Joe Biden stated in a statement that the federal government has dispatched aid to Hawaii as the state fights fires and continues rescue efforts.
The Department of Transportation is also working to evacuate travelers from Maui, he added. Ed Sniffler, a state transportation official, reported that roughly 4,000 tourists are attempting to depart the island.
The County of Maui has requested that visitors avoid Lahaina, as all roads leading into the city are closed to all but emergency vehicles.
“This is not a safe place to be,” said Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke.
“We have overcrowded shelters in certain areas of Maui,” Ms. Luke added. “Our resources are subject to taxation.”
Lahaina is a historic town located on Maui’s westernmost point. Its 17th-century core is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Lahaina Burns in Hawaii Wildfires
