Four days after deadly wildfires swept across Kula and West Maui and left historic Lahaina town in ashes, the grim toll of the fires is still revealing itself.
As of late Friday evening, the number of people confirmed to have died in the fires stood at 80. Damage assessments related to the Lahaina Fire resulted in an estimated total of 2,719 structures exposed; 2,207 structures damaged or destroyed; and 2,170 acres burned, according to the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Of buildings exposed to the fire, 86% were classified as residential.
According to the Maui Fire Department, the Lahaina fire was 85% contained as of Friday evening. Also, the Pulehu/Kihei fire was 80% contained and the Upcountry fire was 50% contained. Firefighters continued to battle flare-up in all three fires.
After briefly allowing limited access to Lahaina to residents and visitors with proof of hotel reservations at noon on Friday, police are again restricting access into West Maui through both Maʻalaea and Waiheʻe.
“West Maui remains without power and water, and search crews continue efforts in the Lahaina town area for victims of the brush fire,” a Maui County release stated. “Limited access into Lahaina, with no access into the restricted zone of historic Lahaina town, will be in effect until hazardous conditions improve.”
Barricades remain in place around Lahaina town, with police officers posted to keep people out of the areas. Health officials advise that burning areas are highly toxic. Inhalation of dust and other airborne particles can be a health hazard. Hot spots still exist and wearing a mask and gloves is advised.
On Friday, shuttles continued operating from Kahului Airport and the three American Red Cross emergency shelters at Maui High School, War Memorial Gymnasium and Hannibal Tavares Community Center to take visitors to West Maui to retrieve belongings so they can depart the island.
One member per family is allowed on the shuttles, which stops at hotels in the Kaanapali and Kapalua/Napili areas. Visitor access is limited to retrieving luggage and identification, not for staying at hotels. Those dropped off by the shuttle are picked up an hour later and returned to the starting location.
Late Friday afternoon, the Maui Department of Water Supply issued a warning about unsafe water in the areas of Upper Kula and Lahaina.
As a precaution, residents of those areas are advised to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice and preparing food. They should not drink or use any tap water, even if it has been boiled.
Failure to follow the advisory could result in illness, per the department and state Department of Health.
Due to the wildfires, structures were destroyed and certain areas of the water system lost pressure. These conditions may have caused some harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals, to enter the water system.
Therefore, customers are advised to:
- limit the use of hot water
- limit shower and bathing time and use lukewarm water and a ventilated area
- use a dishwasher to wash dishes and use the air dry setting
- wash clothing in cold water
- avoid using clothes dryers
- avoid hot tubs or swimming pools
- avoid ice from automatic ice makers
- ensure proper ventilation when using water indoors
As cellular phone serve is restored to West Maui, officials are advising residents and visitors to text instead of making phone calls so everyone can share the limited resources.
Amid the rush of evacuations, search and recovery, damage assessments and other emergency undertakings, Attorney General Anne Lopez announced Friday that her office will conduct a comprehensive review of critical decision-making and standing policies leading up to, during and after the Maui and Hawaii Island wildfires.
“The Department of the Attorney General shares the grief felt by all in Hawaii and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” Lopez said in a release issued Friday afternoon. “My department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review. As we continue to support all aspects of the ongoing relief effort, now is the time to begin this process of understanding.”
Meanwhile, federal assistance continues to flow into the state. On Thursday, a Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search and Rescue Team, with expertise in human remains, was deployed to Maui from Arizona and Nevada. Five dogs are included.
Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell, Small Business Administration administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and U.S. Fire administrator Lori Moore-Merrell traveled to Hawaii to meet with state and local officials regarding ongoing response and recovery efforts. FEMA announced Thursday that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement local recovery efforts on the islands.
Casillas Guzman also met with local small business owners to highlight the SBA’s disaster recovery and resilience operation deployed to assist those affected.
Following President Biden’s major disaster declaration in Maui County as a result of the wildfires, low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to affected businesses and residents through the SBA’s disaster recovery and resilience operation.
In addition to messages of condolence from everyone from the Pope Francis to actor Jason Momoa, several large donations to Maui recovery have been transmitted from private donors, including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez ($100 million) and heavy metal band Metallica’s charitable foundation All Within My Hands ($200,000). Professional golfer Collin Morikawa also pledged $1,000 for every birdie he makes during his next three PGA Tour events. Morikawa’s grandparents were born in Lahaina.
Businesses, educational institutions, community organizations and private individuals continue to make significant contributions, as well.
Dozens of volunteers, including University of Hawaii Maui College culinary instructors, The Salvation Army, Maui United Way, Maui Rapid Response, Maui County and Common Ground Collective prepared 10,000 meals for Maui shelters on Thursday and Friday.
The efforts are being led by UH Maui College Culinary Program Coordinator Craig Omori and chefs Sheldon Simeon (a UH Maui College alumnus) and Lee Anne Wong.
“Our mission is to be of service to the community,” UH Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana said in a news release. “When in crisis, we can support the community by using our intellectual and physical resources.”
Planet Fitness Kahului also contributed what it could, opening its doors to displaced residents and visitors in need of a place to shower or rest.
The club is also collecting donations, including non-perishable food, bottled water, hygiene items and blankets, which will be transported directly to the donation site established by Maui County.
The need extends to the island’s pet population.
The Maui Humane Society said it expects an “inundation” of animals lost or abandoned during the fires.
”The fires have left thousands of both humans and animals displaced, causing immense distress and creating an urgent need for solidarity within the community,” the organization posted on Facebook.
The group is asking for donations to aid in the care of the animals. As of Friday morning, the Maui Humane has raised $206,191 toward its $300,000 goal.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.