Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
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At least 111 people have died as a result of the fast-moving Hawaii wildfires that caused widespread destruction in the town of Lahaina.
As search efforts are underway, residents of Maui are reporting that investors and realtors are trying to capitalise on the wildfires to purchase land from locals.
Governor Josh Green said in a press conference that he intends to “make sure that no one is victimised from a land grab” and called on investors and relators to not approach Maui residents with an offer.
“We’re not going to allow it,” Mr Green said.
The Hawaii governor said he expects re-building the burned area of Maui to cost $5 billion or more. Already, federal, state and local relief aid has been directed twoard Maui.
Rebuilding will begin once search teams finish conducting searches for the bodies of victims – only 35 per cent of the burned area has been probed.
Mr Green believes the death toll will increase each day as more people are found.
The official cause of the fires is still yet to be determined.
Biden declines to respond when asking about Hawaii trip
President Joe Biden declined to comment when reporters asked him to share details about his trip to Hawaii, just as the President is facing backlash for his response to the wildfires.
“Can you tell us about your Hawaii trip, sir?” One reporter asked.
Mr Biden hesitated for a moment before saying, “No, not right now.”
The President reiterated that he would be in Maui on Monday alongside First Lady Jill Biden.
Maui wildfire survivors face new threat from chemical contamination that could linger
Maui residents have been warned that wildfires burning since 8 August have contaminated water, air and soil and could pose health risks for months to come.
The deadly wildfires have claimed at least 99 lives, and destroyed an estimated 2,700 buildings around Lahaina containing hazardous household wastes, treated wood, paints and other toxic materials, officials said.
The Hawaiian Department of Health has warned that ash and dust from burned homes and businesses could contain deadly toxic chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic and lead.
They also advised residents to wear surgical masks such as N95s and goggles, gloves, and closed-toed shoes to avoid skin contact with ash.
They also warned people to avoid washing ash into drains or using vacuums that will stir up carcinogenic particles into the air.
Maui officials defend decision to not sound outdoor sirens as wildfires approached
Officials in Maui, Hawaii believe sounding the local alarm system before the wildfires engulfed several neighbourhoods would not have been useful, they said in a press conference on Wednesday.
As the death toll in Maui rises each day, questions have been raised over the officials who chose not to activate their emergency alert system and have sirens go off near coastal towns like Lahaina before the fast-moving fires reached populated areas.
Ariana Baio reports:
Ron DeSantis deploys K9 units to Maui
Florida governor Ron DeSantis said he offered resources to Hawaii governor Josh Green in the wake of the Maui wildfires, including K-9s and handlers.
“Florida has deployed specialised K-9s and handlers from Florida’s USAR Teams to Maui,” Mr DeSantis tweeted on Thursday.
It is unclear what the K-9s will be used for but cadaver dogs are currently being utilised to search for the bodies of those who perished in the fire.
“Florida stands with the people of Hawaii,” Mr DeSantis wrote.
Pilot vacationing in Hawaii took day off to fly Maui visitors off island
Vince Eckelkamp, a line training manager at United Airlines from Denver, was wrapping up his vacation in Hawaii with his family when the fires began last week.
When his own flight got delayed then cancelled due to the fires, Mr Eckelkamp said he decided to step up to help out other pilots to fly visitors off the island in the middle of the crisis.
He told USA Today that he texted another pilot who was scheduled to fly out to ask if he needed help who accepted his offer.
Mr Eckelkamp flew the plane from Maui to San Francisco to get 330 people off the island in the midst of the disaster.
‘If I hadn’t stepped up, or if I wasn’t there [the flight would have been canelled],” Mr Eckelkamp told USA Today.
“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and was able to do the right thing.”
Pilot vacationing in Hawaii took day off to fly people out of Maui
Vince Eckelkamp, a line training manager at United Airlines from Denver, was wrapping up his vacation in Hawaii with his family when the fires began last week.
When his own flight got delayed then cancelled due to the fires, Mr Eckelkamp said he decided to step up to help out other pilots to fly visitors off the island in the middle of the crisis.
He told USA Today that he texted another pilot who was scheduled to fly out to ask if he needed help who accepted his offer.
Mr Eckelkamp flew the plane from Maui to San Francisco to get 330 people off the island in the midst of the disaster.
‘If I hadn’t stepped up, or if I wasn’t there [the flight would have been canelled],” Mr Eckelkamp told USA Today.
“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and was able to do the right thing.”
Maui Fire Department promotes fire drill safety plans
Children in Maui are returning to school and in the wake of the devastating wildfires are undergoing fire drills to make sure they can evacuate safely.
The County of Maui Fire Department posted on Facebook reminding people to have a fire evacuation plan in their homes and inform all residents of what to do in the event of a fire.
Jason Momoa issues stern warning to holidaymakers travelling to Maui amid deadly wildfires
Jason Momoa has issued a stern message to holidaymakers hoping to still travel to Maui amid the fatal wildfires.
Two days after sharing his “heartbreak” about the wildfires that have devastated the Hawaiian island, Momoa shared a post stating: “Maui is not the place to have your vacation right now. DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI.”
He continued: “Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply.
“Mahalo to everyone who has donated and shown aloha to the community in this time of need.
In Photos: Lahaina after the fire
Destroyed buildings and cars are pictured in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 16, 2023
The Flag of Hawaii waves by a sign reading "Tourist Keep Out" in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 16, 2023.
This handout image courtesy of the US Army shows damaged buildings and structures of Lahaina Town destroyed in the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, August 15, 2023
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiX2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2NsaW1hdGUtY2hhbmdlL25ld3MvbWF1aS1maXJlLWNhdXNlLW1hcC1oYXdhaWktbmV3cy1iMjM5NTAwNy5odG1s0gEA?oc=5
2023-08-18 00:00:33Z
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