Hawai On Fire:A historic Hawaiian town has been devastated by raging fires, forcing residents to leap into the ocean to escape the flames.
Minimum 6 people died, dozens were wounded and 271 structures were damaged or destroyed as wildfire through Mauri.
Under the cover of darkness on Wednesday, a wildfire swept through Maui's Hawaiian island, leaving a historic town in ruins and compelling individuals to seek refuge in the ocean to escape the inferno. Tragically, at least six lives were lost, numerous people sustained injuries, and 271 buildings suffered damage or complete destruction.
Throughout Wednesday afternoon, the fires raged on, propelled by powerful winds from Hurricane Dora, which was passing far to the south of the Hawaiian islands. Authorities expressed concerns that the number of casualties might increase.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen remarked, "Today is marked by profound sadness. The loss of any life is a heart-wrenching tragedy. As we share in the sorrow of the affected families, we extend our prayers for solace during this incredibly difficult period."
With a reduction in wind intensity, certain aircraft were able to return to the skies, allowing pilots to gain a comprehensive view of the extensive devastation. Mahina Martin, a spokesperson for Maui County, noted that flyovers conducted by the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department over the coastal town of Lahaina revealed the scale of the devastation.
From the skies, the aerial footage unveiled a grim scene in Lahaina, with numerous residences and establishments reduced to rubble, even along the bustling Front Street where tourists typically gathered for shopping and dining. Piles of smoking debris stood as somber monuments along the waterfront, while the harbor's boats bore the scars of scorching flames. Above, a shroud of gray smoke clung to the skeletal remains of once-vibrant trees.
In the words of Richard Olsten, a seasoned helicopter pilot with 52 years of experience in these skies, "It's nothing short of chilling. Throughout my five decades of flying here, I've never witnessed anything even remotely comparable. The tears welled up in our eyes, not only mine but those of fellow pilots and mechanics aboard with me."
Acting Governor Sylvia Luke emphasized that the fires had obliterated entire communities and strongly advised travelers to steer clear. She made it clear, saying, "This is not a secure location to be in."
Maui authorities pressed visitors to vacate Lahaina, with the island mobilizing a large-scale bus evacuation effort on Wednesday afternoon, directing individuals straight to the airport, as reported by the county. In West Maui, the absence of cell or landline phone connectivity and the absence of electricity persisted, leaving residents and tourists without these essential services, according to county reports.
While the precise origin of the inferno could not be pinpointed, a combination of factors, including strong winds, low humidity, and parched vegetation, were likely contributing elements, as stated by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the adjutant general for the Hawaii State Department of Defense. Furthermore, experts pointed out that climate change is intensifying the likelihood of more extreme weather events.
Erica Fleishman, who serves as the director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at Oregon State University, highlighted the global impact of climate change on increasing vegetation dryness, primarily due to rising temperatures. She explained, "In various regions around the world, climate change is elevating the dryness of vegetation, largely driven by higher temperatures. Even if the precipitation levels remain consistent, elevated temperatures accelerate the drying process."
With the force of the wind propelling it forward, the wildfire descended upon the region with astonishing velocity and an unrelenting fierceness. It tore through intersections and vaulted over wooden structures in the heart of Lahaina, a town steeped in history dating back to the 1700s, proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tiare Lawrence vividly described the harrowing experience, recounting the accounts of her 14 cousins and uncles who managed to escape the town's chaos and sought sanctuary at her residence in Pukalani, situated east of Lahaina. "The way they described it was.
Keʻeaumoku Kapu, a Lahaina resident and the operator of a local cultural center, was in the midst of securing loose objects due to the increasing winds when his wife arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, urgently informing him of the need to evacuate. Kapu recalled that the situation quickly escalated as the wind intensified. He emphasized that they managed to leave just in the nick of time.
Just two blocks away, they were met with a frightening sight of fire and thick smoke. Without hesitation, Kapu, his wife, and a friend swiftly entered his pickup truck. He vividly described how, in a matter of moments, their building became engulfed in flames.
Maui County's spokesperson, Mahina Martin, reported that firefighting crews were actively engaged in battling three separate fires across Maui, which included locations in Lahaina, the Kihei area in south Maui, and the mountainous Upcountry communities.
In the Upcountry community of Kula, a fire had consumed approximately 1.7 square miles (4.5 square kilometers) on Tuesday, resulting in the unfortunate destruction of at least two homes, according to County of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Jr.
On Hawaii's Big Island, Mayor Mitch Roth reassured the public that there were no reports of injuries or homes lost due to the three wildfires burning there. Firefighters successfully extinguished a few roof fires in the affected areas.
The National Weather Service indicated that Hurricane Dora, positioned approximately 500 miles (805 kilometers) south of the Hawaiian island chain, played a role in the strong gusts exceeding 60 mph (97 kph). These gusty winds led to power outages, home disturbances, and the grounding of firefighting helicopters on Maui.
In response to the dire situation, the Coast Guard conducted a successful rescue operation on Tuesday, saving 14 individuals, including two children, who had sought refuge in the ocean to escape the fires and smoky conditions, as reported by the county.
Tragically, the fires on Maui claimed the lives of six people. Mayor Bissen noted that search and rescue efforts were ongoing, and the casualty count might increase as the operation progressed.
On Tuesday night, six patients were transported from Maui to Oahu, as confirmed by Speedy Bailey, the regional director of Hawaii Life Flight, an air-ambulance company. Among these patients, three suffered critical burns and were urgently transported to the burn unit at Straub Medical Center. The remaining individuals were admitted to different hospitals in Honolulu. Additionally, a total of at least 20 patients were transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center for medical care.
In a statement made on Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden declared that he has directed the deployment of "all available Federal assets" to provide assistance to Hawaii during this crisis. He highlighted that the Coast Guard and Navy are actively involved in supporting response and rescue operations, with the Marines contributing Black Hawk helicopters to combat the ongoing fires.
While an exact count of evacuees was unavailable, officials confirmed the operation of four shelters, accommodating a total of 2,100 individuals who sought refuge from the emergency.
Kahului Airport, Maui's primary airport, provided shelter for 2,000 travelers affected by flight cancellations or those who had recently landed on the island, as reported by the county. Concurrently, authorities were preparing the Hawaii Convention Centre in Honolulu to accommodate as many as 4,000 displaced tourists and local residents.
James Tokioka, the director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, expressed the devastating loss experienced by local residents who had seen their homes and possessions vanish in the fires, including their beloved animals.
Keʻeaumoku Kapu, owner of the Na Aikane o Maui cultural center in Lahaina, shared the heartbreaking reality that he and his wife had no opportunity to gather any of their years' worth of research materials and precious artifacts before being compelled to evacuate.
Alan Dickar expressed uncertainty regarding the fate of his Vintage European Posters gallery, a fixture on Front Street in Lahaina for 23 years. While evacuating alongside three friends and two cats, Dickar recorded a video capturing the devastating moment when flames consumed the main strip of shops and restaurants frequently visited by tourists.
In his own words, Dickar stated, "Every significant thing I owned burned down today," highlighting the profound loss he experienced.
While Lahaina is often perceived primarily as a Maui tourist destination, Lawrence emphasized the presence of a resilient Hawaiian community within the town. She expressed her heartbreak, observing how memories and homes, as well as the lives of everyone affected, had tragically shifted within the past 12 hours.
