Historic Town Destroyed

County officials in Hawaii confirmed late Thursday local time that at least 55 people have died in devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, the state’s second-largest island.

One of the areas significantly affected by the blaze is Lahaina, a historic town reduced to ashes. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who surveyed the damage, reported that the fire in Lahaina is now 80% contained but remains active. The city is currently without power.

Lahaina holds great cultural importance to Hawaiians, having been the capital during the islands’ days as an independent kingdom. In the early 19th century, King Kamehameha I established Lahaina as his royal residence while unifying the islands into a single state.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking. The recovery process will be long, but we’re committed to these families and communities,” Schatz shared on social media.

Thousands Left Homeless

During a press conference on Thursday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green revealed that thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds of homes destroyed by the wildfires. The fires were sparked by strong winds and exacerbated by drought conditions.

President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Hawaii and pledged immediate federal assistance. He instructed Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell to accelerate aid to survivors without delay. Criswell will visit Maui on Friday to assess the situation.

“The disaster response will be challenging due to Maui’s remote and isolated location,” Criswell noted in an interview with NPR. “We’ll need to work closely with the governor and his team and find creative solutions to provide both immediate and long-term support.”

Recovery Efforts and Assistance

Criswell explained that the disaster declaration enables the federal government to offer reimbursement and cash assistance for home repairs. Affected individuals are encouraged to contact their insurance companies. The government will also provide aid to those who are underinsured or uninsured.

In the immediate aftermath, FEMA has dispatched search and rescue teams to locate missing individuals. The agency is also supplying communication equipment due to widespread outages.

“Our priority at the moment is saving lives,” emphasized Criswell. “Alongside the financial support, we’re providing crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance.”