Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
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A miraculous moment unfolded during the Maui wildfires rescue efforts this week when 60 survivors were found alive sheltering inside a single home.
The large group had taken refuge in the property in western Maui back on 8 August when the fires first swept through the Hawaiian island, Maui County Mayor Richard Bisset said.
But, they were cut off without electricity and mobile phone coverage since and so their whereabouts – and whether or not they had made it out alive – had been unknown.
Many residents were less fortunate however, with the death toll from the wildfires now climbing to 111 as officials estimate that around 1,300 residents still remain unaccounted for.
The official cause of the fires is still yet to be determined, but security footage of a tree falling on a power line at a Maui bird sanctuary is being investigated as a possible trigger. Others point to the role of downed power lines elsewhere on the island and flammable grasses.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden announced on Wednesday that they will travel to Maui on Monday 21 August – following criticism over the White House's response to the disaster.
Biden to visit Maui on Monday
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit Maui, Hawaii on Monday 21 August to meet with first responders, survivors and officials– nearly two weeks after devastating wildfires ravaged parts of the island.
Days after Mr Biden faced backlash from individuals who believed the President did not have enough of a public-facing approach to addressing the wildfires, the White House announced the trip.
“In Maui, the President and First Lady will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery efforts,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement.
Ariana Baio reports:
Nancy Pelosi describe Maui wildfire disaster as an example of ‘urgent’ task to ‘save our planet'
Hawaii governor vows to block land grabs
Hawaii governor Josh Green vowed "to keep the land in local people's hands" after the deadly wildfire incinerated the historic Maui community.
Mr Green said at a Wednesday news conference that he had instructed the state attorney general to work toward a moratorium on land transactions in Lahaina, which he acknowledged will come with legal challenges.
"My intention from start to finish is to make sure that no one is victimized from a land grab," Mr Green said.
"People are right now traumatized. Please do not approach them with an offer to buy their land. Do not approach their families saying they'll be much better off if they make a deal. Because we're not going to allow it."
How the Maui wildfires became fodder for conspiracy theorists
When Joe Biden announced the federal government’s latest aid package to families left homeless by the Maui wildfires on Monday, a seemingly innocuous turn of phrase sent conspiracists into meltdown, writes Bevan Hurley.
As with nearly every traumatic event, from natural disasters to school shootings, fake theories that sprung up immediately online followed a familiar narrative of climate change denial, government cover-up and in some cases antisemitic tropes.
Some suggest the United States military set off the blaze, or that it was part of an “elite land grab” possibly spearheaded by Oprah Winfrey herself.
Read more:
ICYMI: Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home
The large group had sheltered in an isolated residence in western Maui that had been without electricity and cell phone coverage since 8 August, Maui County mayor Richard Bisset said.
Read more:
Scenes of utter devastation as Maui residents return to charred remains of historic town
Governor Josh Green says 'mistakes happened' in wildfire response but defends efforts
From the decision to not use sirens to shortages of available water to fight the fire, state and local officials have faced public criticism over the response to the worst wildfire in US history in over a century.
The chaotic evacuation that saw many trapped in their vehicles on a jammed roadway as flames swept over them also led to several questions.
At a news conference, governor Josh Green was asked about that mistrust and how they can assure the public they will do all that's needed to help the community rebuild.
"Did mistakes happen? Absolutely," the governor said, adding: "You can look here to see who you can trust," referring to the police, fire, emergency and Red Cross officials standing behind him.
Herman Andaya, Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator, defended not sounding the sirens during the fire.
"We were afraid that people would have gone mauka," he said, using the Hawaiian directional term that can mean toward the mountains or inland. "If that was the case then they would have gone into the fire."
"I can't answer why people don't trust people," Maui mayor Richard Bissen said. "The people who were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes — 25 of our firefighters lost their homes. You think they were doing a halfway job?"
Schools start to reopen after devastating fire
Public schools in Maui started the process of reopening and traffic resumed on a major road in signs of recovery a week after wildfires demolished a historic town and killed at least 110 people.
At least three schools untouched by flames in Lahaina, where entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ash, were still being assessed after sustaining wind damage, Hawaii Department of Education superintendent Keith Hayashi said.
"There's still a lot of work to do, but overall the campuses and classrooms are in good condition structurally, which is encouraging," Mr Hayashi said in a video update. "We know the recovery effort is still in the early stages, and we continue to grieve the many lives lost."
A man on a bike carries a cross in the north side of Lahaina, Hawaii
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.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2NsaW1hdGUtY2hhbmdlL25ld3MvbWF1aS1maXJlcy11cGRhdGUtY2F1c2UtZGVhdGgtdG9sbC10cmF2ZWwtYWR2aXNvcnktYjIzOTQ0NDcuaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5
2023-08-17 09:09:57Z
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