Good evening, Hawaii. The efforts on Maui switched from one of rescue to recovery Friday. The death toll from the Maui wildfires has risen to 67 and West Maui residents surveyed the damage left in the wake of the Lahaiha wildfire. Meanwhile, state Attorney General Anne Lopez is cautioning residents to be careful when considering making a donation to one of the many fundraising efforts that have mobilized to help those affected by the wildfires. Read about the important stories you need to know.

Your Weather Planner 

Our weekend is looking pleasant. We are now back to our typical trade wind pattern. Expect moderate trade winds to persist as the ridge of high pressure to the north of us weakens. Brief passing showers will drift over windward and mountain areas over the next several days, especially from the overnight through early morning hours.

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Today's Big Stories

1. Maui death toll rises to 67

Maui County announced Friday afternoon that 12 more deaths have been confirmed, bringing the total number of people who died in the West Maui fires to 67.

The county’s 3 p.m. update stated the Lahaina fire is 85% contained, while the Pulehu/Kihei fire is 80% contained. The Upcountry Maui fire is 50% contained.

FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, including five dogs, are being deployed from Arizona and Nevada to help with recovery efforts. While residents with identification were allowed back into West Maui earlier Friday, the roadway is now only open for those leaving Lahaina. 

2. Devastation comes to light as Maui residents slowly return to charred remains of historic town

Incinerated cars crushed by downed telephone poles. Charred elevator shafts standing as testaments to the burned down apartment buildings they once served. Pools filled with charcoal colored water. Trampolines and children’s scooters mangled by the extreme heat.

Residents of the Lahaina were being allowed back home on Friday for the first time since wildfires that have killed at least 67 people turned large swaths of the centuries-old town into a hellscape of ashen rubble.

Associated Press journalists witnessed the devastation, with nearly every building flattened to debris on Front Street, the heart of the Maui community and the economic hub of the island. The roosters known to roam Hawaii streets meandered through the ashes of what was left, including an eerie traffic jam of the charred remains of dozens of cars that didn't make it out of the inferno.

“It hit so quick, it was incredible,” Lahaina resident Kyle Scharnhorst said as he surveyed his apartment complex’s damage Friday morning. “It was like a war zone.”

Many survivors said in interviews that they didn’t hear any sirens or receive a warning that gave them enough time to prepare and only realized they were in danger when they saw flames or heard explosions nearby.

“There was no warning. There was absolutely none. Nobody came around. We didn’t see a fire truck or anybody," said Lynn Robinson, who lost her home in the fire.

Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens sounded before people had to run for their lives. Instead, officials sent alerts to mobile phones, televisions and radio stations — but widespread power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.

Gov. Josh Green warned that the death toll would likely rise as search and rescue operations continue. He also said Lahaina residents would be allowed to return Friday to check on their property and that people will be able to get out, too, to get water and access other services. People would be allowed into West Maui starting at noon, and authorities set a curfew from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Saturday.

3. AG warns of Maui wildfire charity scams

State Attorney General Anne Lopez is cautioning residents to be careful when considering making a donation to one of the many fundraising efforts that have mobilized to help those affected by the Maui and Hawaii Island wildfires.

Lopez advised would-be donors to work through trusted, well-known charities and beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Donors can verify a charity’s legitimacy through its official website. If someone says they are fundraising on behalf of a familiar charity, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity, not the individual.

Any charity that solicits donations in Hawaii must be registered with the Department of the Attorney General, and its status can be verified here. There are also independent online sources that can be used to verify that a charity is legitimate, including:

For more information about charity scams and tips to avoid such scams, potential donors are encouraged to review the Department of the Attorney General’s donor education flyer.

Donors with any questions or complaints about a scam charity can contact the Tax & Charities Division at 808-586-1480 or ATG.Charities@hawaii.gov.

4. UH wildfire expert: Invasive grasses growing in the abandoned plantations fueled wildfires on Maui and Hawaii Island

Invasive grasses growing in the abandoned plantations on Maui and Hawaii Island fueled the ongoing wildfires, according to a University of Hawaii at Manoa wildfire expert. 

Clay Trauernicht, an Assistant Specialist at UH Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, said land management is necessary to prevent future wildfires in Hawaii.

In Hawaii over the past three decades, many sugar plantations, pineapple farms and ranches shuttered. Flammable grasses grew densely in the untended land. 

Hot, dry and windy conditions all lined up over the last week, making the invasive grasslands “incredibly prone to burning,” said Trauernicht. “Weather conditions really contributed to the explosive behavior that we saw.”

Dry air sucks the moisture out of the grasses, making them burn swiftly and spreading the wildfire faster. 

Lahaina was especially vulnerable because the slopes above it were grasslands. These invasive grasses grow right up to the edge of the community.  

There are “thousands of acres of uninterrupted grasslands” in Hawaii, said Trauernicht.

Along with problems created by the grasses, he noted the abandoned plantations rarely have properly maintained resources that firefighters can use to fight fires: roads and water. 

The Hawaii Wildlife Management Organization, a nonprofit on Hawaii Island that Trauernicht works with, organizes neighborhoods to become “firewise.” They encourage large landowners to talk with each other about land management. 

“We need to get those folks that do own these large parcels to really rethink what their responsibility is to the neighboring communities,” said Trauernicht. “When we let these fields go fallow, and no actions are taken, this is the consequence.” 

Trauernicht called what happened “beyond what we could have imagined as a worst case.” 

5. Honolulu Civil Beat: Help Maui fire victims: Here’s how you can donate

Organizations across Hawaii are mobilizing to help fire victims on Maui.

At least 59 are confirmed dead and 2,100 sought shelter in emergency shelters as fires fueled by dry winds from a passing hurricane tore through Lahaina and Kula. At least 271 buildings have burned.

If you’d like to help recovery efforts, there are several ways that you can pitch in.

Cash donations for Maui fire victims

Here are some organizations accepting donations for emergency efforts. Links attached to the organization names below will take you directly to donation checkout pages.

Click the link above for a full list of other ways to help.

Your Notes for the Weekend

Saturday, August 12

  • Republican presidential candidates former visit the Iowa State Fair
  • Annual Perseids meteor shower peaks tonight
  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2023 Enshrinement Ceremony
  • Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards
  • National Book Festival
  • 5th anniversary of Syria weapons depot explosion
  • Governors Highway Safety Association 2023 Annual Meeting
  • The UK's Prince Harry takes part in Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup in Singapore
  • 70th anniversary of USSR successfully testing a hydrogen bomb
  • 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament quarterfinals

Sunday, August 13

  • Vivek Ramaswamy attends New Hampshire GOP 'No B.S. Backyard BBQ'
  • International Left-Handers' Day
  • 15th anniversary of Michael Phelps becoming most successful Olympian ever
  • International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) Conference and Annual Meeting
  • NASCAR Cup Series race: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard
  • Lake Tahoe Sharkfest
  • WNBA games

Monday, August 14

  • Vivek Ramaswamy participates in NewsNation town hall and on campaign trail in Michigan
  • Treasury Secretary Yellen delivers remarks on the economy ahead of Inflation Reduction Act anniversary
  • Jane Fonda speaks at virtual rally for Dem Rhode Island 1st Congressional district candidate Aaron Regensburg
  • National Press Club Headliners book event on 'Passport Stamps'
  • National Navajo Code Talkers Day
  • 20th anniversary of major power failures hitting eastern U.S. and Canada
  • 80th anniversary of Rome declared an open city
  • Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award longlist announcement

Here are events happening on the islands this weekend:

Oahu

  • What: Paula Fuga
  • Where: Blue Note Hawaii | Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu | 808-777-4890
  • Details: Hear the rich voice and soulful melodies of Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning singer/songwriter Paul Fuga in four performances, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Aug. 12-13. Tickets.

Maui

  • What: Drop off donations for evacuees
  • Where: War Memorial Complex | 700 Halia Nakoa St., Wailuku
  • Details: Donations of non-perishable Non-perishable food, bottled water and hygiene items being accepted. Clothing is not being accepted at this time. Those wishing to donate should enter the complex through Kanaloa Avenue and drop off donations at the field on the left. The dropoff center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 12.

Hawaii Island

  • What: Imiloa Astronomy Center Pop-up Events
  • Where: Various KTA Super Stores 
  • Details: Imiloa Astronomy Center, with the support of KTA Super Stores, will host pop-up events featuring fun crafts focused on Hawaii’s coral reef systems. Drop by to create your own uhu shrinky-dink keychain and take home a packet for the ohana. Events are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates and KTA locations: Aug. 13 at Puainako (Hilo); Aug. 27 in Kailua-Kona; Sept. 10 in Waimea; and Sept. 17 in Kealakekua.

Kauai

  • What: Downtown Lihue Night Market
  • Where: At Kress St. and Rice St., Lihue
  • Details: Rice Street Business Assoc. and Alakoko present the Downtown Lihue Night Market, 4-8 p.m. Aug. 12 (every second Saturday). It’s a fun gathering of crafts and gift vendors, food trucks and live entertainment, plus fresh produce and baked goods.

For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.

In Case You Missed It
 

A bright Perseid meteor streaks down on Aug. 7, 2010, over buildings at the Stellafane amateur astronomy convention in Springfield, Vt. (Sky & Telescope/Dennis di Cicco)
A bright Perseid meteor streaks down on Aug. 7, 2010, over buildings at the Stellafane amateur astronomy convention in Springfield, Vt. (Sky & Telescope/Dennis di Cicco)

The Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend

One of the best meteor showers of the year peaks this weekend. And, unlike last year, we won’t have a full moon making the sky too bright.

The Perseid meteor shower peaks Saturday night into Sunday morning. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be after midnight.

As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus–where the meteors appear to originate — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.

Hopefully clouds don’t get in your way! Check your local forecast here. But if clear skies aren’t in the cards Saturday night, don’t worry. That’s when they should be most active, but the Perseids don’t suddenly start and stop; you can try looking any time around the peak.