Communities Stand Strong in the Aftermath of Historic Wildfire in Maui, Hawaii

f Lahaina, a historic Maui town. The wildfire has claimed the lives of over 90 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century.

Parishioners gathered at Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina to mourn the dead and pray for the missing. The church was spared from the flames, but its members attended Mass at a different location, led by the Bishop of Honolulu, Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva. During the Mass, Silva read a message from Pope Francis, offering prayers for those who lost loved ones and homes.

Taufa Samisoni, a member of the church, shared the tragic news that his uncle, aunt, cousin, and cousin’s 7-year-old son were found dead inside a burned car. Despite the devastation, Samisoni’s wife, Katalina, found comfort in Silva’s reference to the Bible story of Peter walking on water and being saved from drowning. She expressed hope that they too would find a way to overcome this tragedy.

The community is not only dealing with the loss of lives and homes but also the emotional impact on children who witnessed the devastation. Rev. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy and support for the children during this difficult time.

As recovery efforts continue, Hawaii officials have urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui. Many hotels are now housing evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have already flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the wildfire began. The Hawaii Tourism Authority stated that the focus should be on the recovery of residents who have been forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.

Governor Josh Green announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for displaced locals, while an additional 500 rooms will be reserved for FEMA workers. The state is also working with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes. The devastation caused by the wildfire is estimated to be worth $5.6 billion, with over 2,700 structures destroyed.

The search and recovery efforts are still in the early stages, and the death toll is expected to rise. Crews with cadaver dogs have only covered 3% of the search area, according to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. Families are anxiously awaiting news about their missing loved ones and are preparing for the worst.

The recovery effort is expected to be a long and challenging process. Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth emphasized the need for a coordinated and thoughtful approach. He urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits instead of donating physical items, as there is currently no reliable distribution system in place.

The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation. The dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The wildfires have become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of a 1960 tsunami and a 1946 tsunami. The community of Lahaina and the entire island of Maui will need significant support and resources to recover from this devastating event.Title: Historic Maui Town Devastated by Wildfire, Death Toll Rises to 90

Subtitle: Communities in Hawaii unite in mourning and recovery efforts

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Parishioners gathered in churches across Hawaii on Sunday to mourn the dead and pray for the missing, as the community begins the long process of recovery from a devastating wildfire that destroyed a historic Maui town and claimed the lives of over 90 people.

While Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina was spared from the flames that engulfed the surrounding community, its members attended Mass led by the Bishop of Honolulu, the Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva, who offered words of comfort and hope. The congregation drew strength from the biblical story of Peter walking on water, finding solace in the belief that they too will reach the shore.

During the Mass, Silva read a message from Pope Francis, who expressed his prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, as well as for the first responders. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for the children who have witnessed tragedy and are now grappling with anxiety.

As recovery efforts continue, Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui, as many hotels are being prepared to accommodate evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have already flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became apparent.

Governor Josh Green announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for displaced locals, while an additional 500 rooms will be reserved for FEMA workers. Some hotels will continue their normal operations to support the local economy and preserve jobs. The state is also working with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their residences.

The scale of the destruction is immense, with over 2,700 structures destroyed in Lahaina alone, resulting in an estimated loss of $5.6 billion. However, the focus remains on finding and supporting the affected individuals and families.

The death toll has now reached 96, making this wildfire the deadliest in the United States in over a century. Authorities cautioned that the search and identification process is still in its early stages. Crews with cadaver dogs have covered only 3% of the search area, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams.

Families are anxiously awaiting news about their missing loved ones, with many fearing the worst. DNA samples are being submitted to aid in the identification process. The grief is overwhelming for those who have already lost family members, such as Lylas Kanemoto, who expressed gratitude for closure but acknowledged the unbearable heartbreak.

The recovery effort is expected to be a marathon rather than a sprint, according to Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth. He urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits instead of donating physical items, as a reliable distribution system is not yet in place.

The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane fueled the flames that rapidly spread across the parched brush covering the island.

As the community mourns and begins the arduous process of rebuilding, the spirit of unity and support shines through. The people of Hawaii are determined to overcome this tragedy together, offering solace and assistance to one another during this challenging time.

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Associated Press journalists Haven Daley in Kalapua, Hawaii; Ty O’Neil in Lahaina, Hawaii; Bobby Caina Calvan and Beatrice Dupuy in New York; Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.

How are residents of Lahaina and the entire island of Maui being encouraged to contribute towards the recovery efforts following the devastating event?

Se, with an estimated $5.6 billion worth of devastation and over 2,700 structures destroyed. The search and recovery efforts are ongoing, and the death toll is expected to rise as crews with cadaver dogs continue to comb through the affected area. Families anxiously await news about their missing loved ones, preparing for the worst outcome.

Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth emphasized the need for a coordinated and thoughtful approach to the recovery process. He urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits instead of donating physical items, as there is currently no reliable distribution system in place. The community of Lahaina and the entire island of Maui will need significant support and resources to rebuild and recover from the devastating event.

The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The wildfires have become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of both a 1960 tsunami and a 1946 tsunami.

As Lahaina and its surrounding communities unite in mourning and recovery efforts, the road to rebuilding will be long and challenging. The community will need the support and resources of both local and national entities to overcome this unprecedented tragedy.