Maui fires – latest: California woman named as first tourist among victims as residents start returning home
A California woman has been named as the first tourist to have died in the devastating Maui wildfires.
Officials identified 72-year-old Theresa Cook from Pollock Pines in northern California as among the victims of the deadly blaze in the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina.
Some 115 deaths have been confirmed following the deadliest wildfire in more than a century in the United States. The unconfirmed list of missing people currently stands at 1,100 names.
Hawaiian officials also pleaded with relatives of those missing to come forward and give DNA samples, saying the low number provided so far threatens to hinder efforts to identify any remains discovered in the ashes.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden met with first responders and survivors on Monday and promised that the federal government would be with them “for as long as it takes” to rebuild the community.
Survivors were also voicing fears of a potential wave of land grabs by realtors and investors that could push Hawaiian locals from the island.
Key points
California woman identified as victim of Hawaii fires
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui wildfire devastation
How did Maui wildfires start?
Maui officials say 100 per cent of residential properties searched
Biden appoints new FEMA administrator to Maui
Hawaii governor thanks Joe Biden for visit to Hawaii
Tuesday 22 August 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio
Hawaii Governor Josh Green posted on Twitter, thanking President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for visiting Maui to survey the damage caused by fast-moving wildfires.
“Jaime and I want to deeply thank President Biden and Dr Jill Biden for their unwavering commitment of support to the people of LÄhainÄ as they heal and recover from the largest tragedy our state has ever experienced,” Mr Green wrote in a post.
He continued: “Hawai`i and the world will rally around the community of LÄhainÄ, and we will rise from this together - hand in hand.”
Jaime and I want to deeply thank President Biden @POTUS and Dr. Jill Biden @FLOTUS for their unwavering commitment of support to the people of Lāhainā as they heal and recover from the largest tragedy our state has ever experienced. pic.twitter.com/lkygMTHCOi
— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) August 21, 2023
In Photos: Biden’s trip to Hawaii
Tuesday 22 August 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio
PGA will play opening event in Maui
Tuesday 22 August 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio
Jay Monahan, the Professional Golf Association (PGA) commissioner said they plan to host their season-opening event in Maui, despite the wildfires.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Monahan said he hopes the PGA golf tour can be a “source of inspiration for the great people of Maui and Lahaina.”
The event, called The Sentry, is slated to happen in January, leaving some time for officials and residents to begin clean-up and rebuilding efforts.
When Mr Monahan was asked, on Tuesday, about hosting the event in Maui, he said “absolutely” would still host the event there.
“But I think at this point there’s so many unknowns, and we want to be respectful of the challenges. We want to help be a part of the revitalization. There are a lot of considerations. We’re committed, you know, if we’re allowed to, if we’re invited, if we’re embraced, given all that needs to be accomplished, we will be there 100 per cent,” Mr Monahan added.
Voices: How Biden’s response to Hawaii wildfire disaster went so wrong
Tuesday 22 August 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio
“An off-hand remark has landed the president in trouble – but occupants of the White House need to remember that they are always in the spotlight”
John Bowden writes:
How Biden’s response to Hawaii wildfire disaster went so wrong
FEMA numbers to date
Tuesday 22 August 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved about $8 million in aid to nearly 2,000 households in Hawaii.
They have also made $3.6 million in rental assistance available to households.
The agency has also made more than 50,000 meals available and some 75,000 liters of water.
More than 1,000 FEMA officials are on the ground in Hawaii to assist in recovery efforts.
Maui mother holds 15th memorial birthday party for son who died in wildfires
Tuesday 22 August 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio
Among the 114 victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui is Kenyero Fuentes, whose family was getting ready to celebrate his birthday before the fire engulfed his home.
Fuentes was relaxing at his family’s home with their dog in Lahaina on 8 August. He was getting ready for classes to start at Lahainaluna High School the next day, his mother, Luz Vargas, told NPR.
Maui mother holds 15th memorial birthday party for son who died in wildfires
Watch: Biden pets emergency response dog in Maui
Tuesday 22 August 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio
Biden compares Maui wildfires to a kitchen fire he experienced
Tuesday 22 August 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio
President Joe Biden tried to empathise with survivors of the Maui wildfires on Monday by sharing his own story of overcoming a small house fire where, luckily, nobody was hurt and nothing of considerable value was burned.
At the Lahaina Civic Center, Mr Biden addressed a crowd of residents who are still reeling from a raging wildfire that spread across their community on 8 August.
“I don’t want to compare difficulties but we have a little sense, Jill and I, what it’s like to lose a home,” Mr Biden told the crowd.
The President went on to share a story from 2004 when lightning struck a wire that ran underneath his home and caused a “small fire that was contained to the kitchen” according to an Associated Press report.
“To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my ‘67 Corvette and my cat,” Mr Biden said.
The President then clarified he was “kidding” and praised firefighters for their brave work to save his family during the 2004 kitchen fire.
“We were insured, we did not have any problem, but being out of our home for a better part of a year was difficult. I can only imagine what it’s like to lose your home completely. Burned to the ground. And more importantly, all the things that matter to you,” Mr Biden continued.
President Biden in Maui on Monday night relayed a story of a kitchen fire sparked by a lightning strike in 2004:
"I don't want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense, Jill and I ... Make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my '67 Corvette, and my cat." pic.twitter.com/XlKJkVMOit— The Recount (@therecount) August 22, 2023
Maui residents are still reeling from wildfire devastation. Now investors and relators are trying to cash in
Tuesday 22 August 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio
Days after wildfires ravaged Maui, investors and relators tried to take advantage of residents striking fear that towns will lose its history and roots.
Ariana Baio reports:
Days after wildfires ravaged Maui, investors and relators try to take advantage
Over 1800 Lahaina customers still without power
Tuesday 22 August 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio
The County of Maui said that over 1,800 customers in Lahaina were still without power as of Monday evening.
Hawaiian Electric crew were working to restore “critical circuits” in West Maui that served essential locations like grocery stores, pharmacies and a wastewater pumping facility.
“Once that circuit is restored, coordination between county response teams, individual businesses and private properties will determine next steps toward respective reopening at these commercial facilities,” the County said.
GOP under fire for trying to make news out of Biden petting a dog in Hawaii
Tuesday 22 August 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio
After a Republican National Committee social media account tried to make a big deal out of President Joe Biden petting a dog during his Hawaii visit, the White House bit back.
On Monday, RNC Research tweeted: “Biden gets distracted by a dog: “That’s some hot ground, man!” The tweet was posted alongside a video of the president petting a golden retriever while talking to a FEMA worker in Hawaii amid the fatal wildfires.
Kelly Rissman reports:
GOP under fire for trying to make news out of Biden petting a dog in Hawaii
Watch: Biden visits Maui to survey destruction from devastating wildfires
Tuesday 22 August 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio
Online posts spread misinformation about FEMA aid following Maui wildfires
Wednesday 23 August 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio
In the aftermath of the deadly Maui wildfires, some social media users are discouraging residents from accepting disaster aid by falsely claiming the Federal Emergency Management Agency could seize their property if they do.
“If you own land in Lahaina, do not sign anything for FEMA,” a woman says on a video circulating widely on social media. “That is why they’re holding back all of the donations and saying, Hey, you want food come sign this?”
But disaster recovery experts and lawyers stress accepting aid doesn’t give FEMA any such powers to take private lands and that the posts are misrepresenting federal law. Here are the facts.
CLAIM: FEMA can seize the private property of any Maui resident that signs up for disaster assistance.
THE FACTS: The federal agency says the claims are “absolutely false” and encourages Hawaiians to visit a website it launched recently to address rumors and frequently asked questions in the aftermath of the fires, which have claimed more than 100 lives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Pictured: Aftermath of Lahaina fires seen from the sky
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:42 , Louise Boyle
ICYMI: Mayor of Maui says 850 people are still missing
Wednesday 23 August 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio
Nearly two weeks after fast-moving wildfires engulfed several neighbourhoods in Maui, there are still 850 people missing.
Richard Bissen, the mayor of Maui, said in a Facebook video post that officials in the American Red Cross, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) based in Honolulu and Maui Police Department have combined and refined a list of names of the missing individuals.
The number is a decline from the 2,000+ names it contained when the search for missing residents first began last week.
Mr Bissen said he was both “saddened and relieved” about the numbers, saying that over 1,287 people have been located safe.
Of the original missing list, 11t have been declared deceased as of Monday morning, with most of those identifications pending.
Maui’s wildfire victims in full
Wednesday 23 August 2023 03:00 , Ariana Baio
Who are the Maui wildfire victims?
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui wildfire devastation
Wednesday 23 August 2023 05:00 , Ariana Baio
Joe Biden told Hawaii that the rest of the United States “grieves with you” as he and the first lady surveyed the devastation of the Maui wildfires.
Mr Biden, who has been criticised for his administration’s response to the historic blaze, met with first responders in Lahaina before making remarks next to the famed and still-standing banyan tree.
“The country grieves with you, stands with you and will help do everything to help you rebuild,” the president said.
Graeme Massie reports:
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui devastation
Officials take preventative measures over toxins spreading to ocean
Wednesday 23 August 2023 07:00 , Ariana Baio
Officials in Maui are preparing for mudslides or possibly flooding as remnants of tropical cyclone Fernanda is expected to hit parts of Hawaii.
The National Weather Service predicted parts of Maui could receive one to three inches and warned residents to be aware of flooding as burned land can not soak up rainwater.
But another issue is the potential of toxins, released from houses and businesses burning down, running off into the ocean.
Federal and local officials said they were trying to prevent the toxins from spilling into the ocean by using a glue-like material to bind ash and debris.
Fences will be built near the coast and hay bales will be placed near storm drains to reduce the spread of pollution as well.
Maui guest interrupts Steve Bannon broadcast to rail against politicisation of wildfire coverage
Wednesday 23 August 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio
Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast had an unexpected guest show up mid-broadcast when the former Trump aide’s interview subject was confronted by a Maui resident who accused him of politically exploiting the island’s wildfires.
Nick Sortor, an independent journalist who has been featured on Fox News, Newsmax and OAN, has been covering the Maui wildfires. While talking to Bannon, he was interrupted by a man who popped up behind him on camera.
Kelly Rissman reports:
Maui guest interrupts Steve Bannon show over politicisation of fires
Nearly 2000 residents taking shelter at various hotels
Wednesday 23 August 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio
More than 1,9000 Maui residents are currently sheltering at several different hotels around Maui.
Those hotels include the Hyatt Regency Maui, Outrigger Kaʻanapali Beach Resort, Royal Lahaina, Honua Kai Outrigger, Maui Seaside Hotel and the Westin Maui.
Concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires
Wednesday 23 August 2023 11:00 , Ariana Baio
More than 3,000 buildings in Lahaina were damaged by fire, smoke or both. Insured property losses alone already total some $3.2 billion, according to Karen Clark & Company, a prominent disaster and risk modeling firm.
With a housing crisis that has priced out many Native Hawaiians as well as families that have been there for decades, concerns are rising that the state could become the latest example of “climate gentrification,” when it becomes harder for local people to afford housing in safer areas after a climate-amped disaster.
Jennifer Gray Thompson is CEO of After the Fire USA, a wildfire recovery and resiliency organization in the western U.S., and worked for Sonoma County during the destructive Tubbs Fire in October 2017. Thompson said Maui is one of the “scariest opportunities for gentrification” that she’s seen because of “the very high land values and the intense level of trauma and the people who are unscrupulous who will come in to try to take advantage of that.”
Thompson predicted potential developers and investors will research who has mortgages and said Maui residents should expect cold calls. “You won’t be able to go to a grocery store without a flyer attached to your car,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
How to help victims of Hawaii wildfires
Wednesday 23 August 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio
Thousands of Hawaii citizens have been displaced following wildfires that devastated the historic town of Lahaina in Maui.
Hawaii’s governor Josh Green has estimated that billions of dollars will be needed to fully recover.
Here is a list of resources to help those impacted by the natural disaster.
How to help victims of Hawaii wildfires
Number of missing rises to 1,100
Wednesday 23 August 2023 12:49 , Rachel Sharp
The number of people still missing in the Maui wildfires has now risen to 1,100 – more than two weeks after a deadly blaze tore through the historic town of Lahaina.
Maui County officials announced on Tuesday that between 1,000 and 1,100 remain unaccounted for while 1,400 have been located.
At the weekend, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said around 850 people were still missing.
Steven Merrill, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Honolulu field office, said on Tuesday: “Every day the numbers will change.
“That being said, the number that we’re most concerned about is, obviously, trying to clear people from the list. And that has reliably gone down every day.”
Speaking with Maui survivors, Biden likens wildfires to almost losing his Corvette in small blaze at his home
Wednesday 23 August 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio
President Joe Biden drew criticism after tried to empathise with survivors of the Maui wildfires on Monday by sharing his own story of overcoming a small house fire where, luckily, nobody was hurt and nothing of considerable value was lost.
At the Lahaina Civic Center, Mr Biden addressed a crowd of residents who are still reeling from a raging wildfire that spread across their community on 8 August – causing at least 115 people to die and 80 per cent of the town’s structures to be damaged or destroyed.
“I don’t want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense, Jill and I, what it’s like to lose a home,” Mr Biden told the crowd.
Speaking with Maui survivors, Biden likens wildfires to a small kitchen blaze
FBI ask those submitting missing persons reports to follow-up
Wednesday 23 August 2023 13:30 , Ariana Baio
After the number of missing people in Maui rose to over 1,000, the FBI based on Honolulu are asking those who submitted complaints to follow up with authorities.
“If you have already submitted complaints to the Maui Police Department about a missing person, or to the FBI, or anyone else, please follow back up to ensure that they have the most up-to-date and accurate information, including dates of birth, what they look like, who they’re related to, further contact information,” Steven Merrill, the FBI Special Agent in charge, said.
GOP criticised for trying to make news out of Biden petting a dog in Hawaii
Wednesday 23 August 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio
After a Republican National Committee social media account tried to make a big deal out of President Joe Biden petting a dog during his Hawaii visit, the White House bit back.
On Monday, RNC Research tweeted: “Biden gets distracted by a dog: “That’s some hot ground, man!” The tweet was posted alongside a video of the president petting a golden retriever while talking to a FEMA worker in Hawaii amid the fatal wildfires.
In response, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates called out the Republican account in defence of Mr Biden, writing: “He’s petting one of the dogs that’s working hard searching for remains so survivors who’ve lost loved ones can have closure.”
“This criticism is classless and stupid,” Mr Bates added.
He's petting one of the dogs that's working hard searching for remains so survivors who've lost loved ones can have closure.
This criticism is classless and stupid. https://t.co/uJf99LxT1U— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) August 21, 2023
Eight more victim identified from Maui wildfires
Wednesday 23 August 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio
Officials in the County of Maui have identified eight more victims who were killed in the wildfires that broke out on 8 August.
Those people include Clyde Wakida, 74, Todd Yamafuji, 68, Antonia Molina, 64, Freeman Tam Lung, 59, Theresa Cook, 72, Joseph Schilling, 67, Narcios Baylosis Jr, 67, and Vanessa Baylosis, 67.
All of the victims were from Lahaina.
Maui residents are still reeling from wildfire devastation. Now investors and relators are trying to cash in
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio
Just days after fast-moving wildfires broke out in Maui, Hawaii, residents were heartbroken to see the remainder of their homes, businesses and lives turned to ash.
Thousands are without shelter and their possessions, as nearly 80 per cent of structures in the town of Lahaina have been damaged or completely destroyed.
Even worse are the scores of people forced to mourn the untimely loss of loved ones who were unable to escape the blazes before they engulfed neighbourhoods.
But the same people who are trying to grapple with the immense loss and figure out how to move forward, are reportedly being forced to defend what they have left of their land and grief as investors and relators try to captalise on the disaster.
Ariana Baio reports:
Days after wildfires ravaged Maui, investors and realtors try to take advantage
Who are the victims of the Maui wildfires?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:45 , Ariana Baio
More victims of the Maui wildfires are expected to publicly identified in the coming days as officials use DNA to match survivors and family members to those who have died.
Who are the Maui wildfire victims?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 16:25 , Ariana Baio
The chief of the Maui Police Department said that, realistically, not all of the people who died in the Maui wildfires will be able to be confirmed deaths in a news conference on Tuesday.
“When this is all said and done, realistically, let’s be honest here, we’re going to have a number of confirmed and we’re going to have a number of presumed,” Mr Pelletier said.
John Pelletier said that officials are still working to search every single building in Lahaina for those who died but requested public patience while they do so.
“I’ve said it before, I’m not going to stop saying it, we are going to do this right,” Mr Pelletier said. “We are not going to do it fast, we’re not going to be in a rush to judgment. We’ve got one chance.”
Officials have to be careful while searching for victims to ensure they don’t hurt themselves and can preserve the state of bodies as best as possible.
Maui residents who disobeyed barricades survived fire
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio
Before the Maui wildfires ravaged the town, officials closed Lahaina Bypass Road due to the fires – but one family is claiming that the road was one of the only ways out of the burning town.
Nate Baird and Courtney Stapleton told The Associated Press that they took their sons, Mr Baird’s mother and their dog to escape the fire on 8 August and reached the road where officials told them to turn around.
However, behind them, the town of Lahaina was already completely on fire.
Mr Baird and Ms Stapleton chose to ignore the warning and bypassed the cones escaping to a neighbouring town.
“Nobody realized how little time we really had,” Mr Baird said. “Like even us being from the heart of the fire, we did not comprehend. Like we literally had minutes and one wrong turn. We would all be dead right now.”
Several reports indicated those who used Front Street to try and escape the flames ended up in gridlock.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said during a news conference that officers never stopped people from leaving the area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Police says final searches of multi-layer structures is underway
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:45 , Ariana Baio
In a news conference on Tuesday, Maui police chief John Pelletier said officials were conducting searches in the “final division” of multi-level structures in Lahaina.
Pointing to a map, Mr Pelletier said, “Baker Hill, Sugar and Front are the final divisions, if you will, of multi-level structures.”
Teams are going into the structures starting from the top floor and working their way down to find victims of the wildfires that devastated the area on 8 August.
Watch: Joe Biden comments on how 'hot ground' is while touring Maui wildfire devastation
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio
Few DNA samples make it difficult to identify victims
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:45 , Ariana Baio
As of Wednesday morning, only 104 families have submitted DNA samples to Maui officials, which makes identifying victims much harder to process.
“The number of family members who are coming in to provide DNA samples is a lot lower than they’ve seen in other disasters,” Maui County prosecuting attorney Andrew Martin told CBS.
Officials, including the mayor and governor have called on people who are missing family members to submit their DNA to help match people.
Video of Joe Biden ‘sleeping’ in Maui is false, reports say
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio
Across Twitter, several right-wing people have shared a video of President Joe Biden visiting Maui and, appearing to, fall asleep while listening to a speech.
The video, slightly out of focus, shows Mr Biden with his head down appearing to have his eyes closed.
But NBC News, PolitiFact and Newsweek all fact-checked the video saying Mr Biden did not fall asleep but just put his head down for approximately 10 seconds.
A high-resolution version of the video from CSPAN shows Mr Biden looking down while listening to the speaker and nodding in agreement. His eyes are open the entire time.
Hawaii officials urge families of people missing after deadly fires to give DNA samples
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:37 , Louise Boyle
Authorities in Hawaii pleaded on Tuesday with relatives of those missing after the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century to come forward and give DNA samples, saying the low number provided so far threatens to hinder efforts to identify any remains discovered in the ashes.
Some 1,000 to 1,100 names remain on the FBI’s tentative, unconfirmed list of people unaccounted for after wildfires destroyed the historic seaside community of Lahaina on Maui. But the family assistance center so far has collected DNA from just 104 families, said Julie French, who is helping lead efforts to identify remains by DNA analysis.
Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin, who is running the center, said that the number of family members coming in to provide DNA samples is “a lot lower” than in other major disasters around the country, though it wasn’t immediately clear why.
“That’s our concern, that’s why I’m here today, that’s why I’m asking for this help,” he said.
Read more
Hawaii officials urge families of people missing after deadly fires to give DNA samples
Watch: Joe Biden comments on how ‘hot the ground is' while touring Maui wildfire devastation
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:02 , Louise Boyle
In deadly Maui fires, many had no warning and no way out. Those who dodged barricades survived
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:28 , Louise Boyle
As flames tore through a West Maui neighborhood, car after car of fleeing residents headed for the only paved road out of town in a desperate race for safety.
And car after car was turned back toward the rapidly spreading wildfire by a barricade blocking access to Highway 30.
One family swerved around the barricade and was safe in a nearby town 48 minutes later, another drove their 4-wheel-drive car down a dirt road to escape.
One man took an dirt road uphill, climbing above the fire and watching as Lahaina burned. He later picked his way through the flames, smoke and rubble to pull survivors to safety.Read more at The Associated Press
Pictured: Hawaiian workers craft lei
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:02 , Louise Boyle
FEMA website set up to debunk Maui wildfire conspiracy theories
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:30 , Louise Boyle
The US government’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established a website to help fight conspiracy theories in the wake of Maui’s wildfires.
“Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe after the Hawaii wildfires by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources,” it reads.
Misinformation has proliferated since the disaster including that the blazes were started by a “directed energy weapon”.
FEMA has previously created these websites to counteract myths including in the wake of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
Watch: Maui residents grapple with wildfire devastation
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:04 , Louise Boyle
Maui residents are still reeling from wildfire devastation. Now investors and realtors are trying to cash in
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:03 , Louise Boyle
Just days after fast-moving wildfires broke out in Maui, Hawaii, residents were heartbroken to see the remainder of their homes, businesses and lives turned to ash.
Thousands are without shelter and their possessions, as nearly 80 per cent of structures in the town of Lahaina have been damaged or completely destroyed.
Even worse are the scores of people forced to mourn the untimely loss of loved ones who were unable to escape the blazes before they engulfed neighbourhoods.
But the same people who are trying to grapple with the immense loss and figure out how to move forward, are reportedly being forced to defend what they have left of their land and grief as investors and realtors try to captalise on the disaster.
“I am so frustrated with inventors and realtors calling the families who lost their home offering to buy their land,” Lahaina resident Tiare Lawrence said in a video on KÄko’o HaleakalÄ.Read more
Days after wildfires ravaged Maui, investors and realtors try to take advantage
Pictured: The aftermath of a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:05 , Louise Boyle
Maui’s wildfire victims: First IDs released after Hawaii disaster
01:08 , Louise Boyle
Raging wildfires in Maui have left at least 106 people dead and thousands of others missing after they were forced to flee their homes.
“We are heartsick that we’ve had such loss,” Hawaii governor Josh Green said during a news conference on Tuesday.
Mr Green said he expects the death toll to rise every day as recovery teams and cadaver dogs search the burned area in Lahaina on Maui. Despite the number of deaths increasing, only a few of the 111 have been identified.
Part of this reason is due to the state that many bodies were found in after the blazing wildfires moved quickly through Lahania.
A mobile morgue unit arrived to help Hawaii officials identify the remains as teams continued to search for more in neighbourhoods that were reduced to ash.
Mr Green asked people who are missing loved ones to submit their DNA to help them identify the victims.Read more
Who are the Maui wildfire victims?
Watch: Warnings over Maui relief donation scams
02:06 , Louise Boyle
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui wildfire devastation
03:05 , Louise Boyle
Joe Biden told Hawaii that the rest of the United States “grieves with you” as he and the first lady surveyed the devastation of the Maui wildfires earlier this week.
Mr Biden, who has been criticised for his administration’s response to the historic blaze, met with first responders in Lahaina before making remarks next to the famed and still-standing banyan tree.
“The country grieves with you, stands with you and will help do everything to help you rebuild,” the president said.
Read more
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui devastation
How did the Hawaii wildfires start?
04:00 , Louise Boyle
At least 115 people are dead and hundreds are still missing after deadly wildfires raged through the Hawaiian island of Maui.
The fires, the deadliest in the US in the last century, erupted on three of Hawaii’s islands forcing visitors to flee and residents to seek emergency shelter.
Photos and videos from Maui show the destruction the fires have caused, with some neighbourhoods including the historic town of Lahaina, nearly burned to ash.
Search and recovery efforts then began as firefighters worked to contain and put out the fires.
On 21 August, President Joe Biden travelled to the Hawaiian island to meet with first responders and survivors as the state begins efforts to rebuild in the wake of the disaster.But a frenzy of questions still remain about how the fires started in the first place and how disasters like this can be prevented in the future.
Here’s everything we know about how the Hawaii wildfires started.
Read more
How did the Hawaii wildfires start?
GOP under fire for trying to make news out of Biden petting a dog in Hawaii
05:05 , Louise Boyle
After a Republican National Committee social media account tried to make a big deal out of President Joe Biden petting a dog during his Hawaii visit, the White House bit back.
On Monday, RNC Research tweeted: “Biden gets distracted by a dog: “That’s some hot ground, man!” The tweet was posted alongside a video of the president petting a golden retriever while talking to a FEMA worker in Hawaii amid the fatal wildfires.
In response, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates called out the Republican account in defence of Mr Biden, writing: “He’s petting one of the dogs that’s working hard searching for remains so survivors who’ve lost loved ones can have closure.”
Kelly Rissman reports.
GOP under fire for trying to make news out of Biden petting a dog in Hawaii
California woman identified as victim of Hawaii fires
05:54 , Stuti Mishra
A California woman has become the first tourist known to have died in the devastating Maui wildfires that have killed 115 people.
Maui County officials named 72-year-old Theresa Cook among the eight more people identified as victims this week.
Read more:
California woman becomes first tourist identified among 116 victims of Maui wildfire
Watch: Maui locals flee into ocean to escape Hawaii wildfires
06:11 , Louise Boyle
Second person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires, hundreds of structures burned
07:06 , Louise Boyle
A second person has died in wildfires in eastern Washington state that ignited on Friday during red flag conditions, burning hundreds of structures and closing a section of a major interstate for days, fire officials said.
A body was found in the area burned by the Oregon fire north of Spokane on Sunday afternoon, fire officials told The Associated Press on Monday.
Another person died in connection with the Gray fire that started Friday west of Spokane, officials said on Saturday.
Governor Jay Inslee visited the burned areas Sunday and declared a statewide emergency because of those fires — which have destroyed at least 265 structures — and others that combined have burned more than 53 square miles (137 square kilometers) around the state this year.
Inslee said Monday he had talked with President Joe Biden and Federal Emergency Management Administrator Deanne Criswell about securing federal dollars to help with firefighting efforts.
Read more
2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires, hundreds of structures burned
Pictured: The fire’s aftermath in Lahaina
08:03 , Louise Boyle
Maui residents are still reeling from wildfire devastation. Now investors and realtors are trying to cash in
09:09 , Louise Boyle
Just days after fast-moving wildfires broke out in Maui, Hawaii, residents were heartbroken to see the remainder of their homes, businesses and lives turned to ash.
Thousands are without shelter and their possessions, as nearly 80 per cent of structures in the town of Lahaina have been damaged or completely destroyed.
Even worse are the scores of people forced to mourn the untimely loss of loved ones who were unable to escape the blazes before they engulfed neighbourhoods.
But the same people who are trying to grapple with the immense loss and figure out how to move forward, are reportedly being forced to defend what they have left of their land and grief as investors and realtors try to captalise on the disaster.
“I am so frustrated with inventors and realtors calling the families who lost their home offering to buy their land,” Lahaina resident Tiare Lawrence said in a video on KÄko’o HaleakalÄ.Read more
Days after wildfires ravaged Maui, investors and realtors try to take advantage
Watch: Warnings over Maui relief donation scams
10:03 , Louise Boyle
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui wildfire devastation
11:03 , Louise Boyle
Joe Biden told Hawaii that the rest of the United States “grieves with you” as he and the first lady surveyed the devastation of the Maui wildfires earlier this week.
Mr Biden, who has been criticised for his administration’s response to the historic blaze, met with first responders in Lahaina before making remarks next to the famed and still-standing banyan tree.
“The country grieves with you, stands with you and will help do everything to help you rebuild,” the president said.Read more
Biden tells Hawaii that the US ‘grieves with you’ as he surveys Maui devastation
Watch: Maui residents grapple with wildfire devastation
12:04 , Louise Boyle
Maui’s wildfire victims: First IDs released after Hawaii disaster
13:03 , Louise Boyle
Raging wildfires in Maui have left at least 106 people dead and thousands of others missing after they were forced to flee their homes.
“We are heartsick that we’ve had such loss,” Hawaii governor Josh Green said during a news conference on Tuesday.
Mr Green said he expects the death toll to rise every day as recovery teams and cadaver dogs search the burned area in Lahaina on Maui. Despite the number of deaths increasing, only a few of the 111 have been identified.
Part of this reason is due to the state that many bodies were found in after the blazing wildfires moved quickly through Lahania.
A mobile morgue unit arrived to help Hawaii officials identify the remains as teams continued to search for more in neighbourhoods that were reduced to ash.
Mr Green asked people who are missing loved ones to submit their DNA to help them identify the victims.
Read more
Who are the Maui wildfire victims?
California woman identified as first tourist among victims
13:37 , Louise Boyle
A woman from California has been identified as the first tourist among the victims of the Maui wildfires, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Theresa Cook, 72, from Pollock Pines in northern California, was one of dozens of people who died in the blaze which ripped through the historic Hawaiian town of Lahaina.
Some 115 deaths have been confirmed following the deadliest wildfire in more than a century in the United States. The unconfirmed list of missing people currently stands at 1,100 names.
How did the Hawaii wildfires start?
14:04 , Louise Boyle
At least 115 people are dead and hundreds are still missing after deadly wildfires raged through the Hawaiian island of Maui.
The fires, the deadliest in the US in the last century, erupted on three of Hawaii’s islands forcing visitors to flee and residents to seek emergency shelter.
Photos and videos from Maui show the destruction the fires have caused, with some neighbourhoods including the historic town of Lahaina, nearly burned to ash.
Search and recovery efforts then began as firefighters worked to contain and put out the fires.
On 21 August, President Joe Biden travelled to the Hawaiian island to meet with first responders and survivors as the state begins efforts to rebuild in the wake of the disaster. But a frenzy of questions still remain about how the fires started in the first place and how disasters like this can be prevented in the future.
Here’s everything we know about how the Hawaii wildfires started.Read more
How did the Hawaii wildfires start?
Watch: California woman identified as first tourist killed in Maui fire
14:29 , Louise Boyle
Some Maui residents return to homes still standing
14:56 , Louise Boyle
Some Maui residents whose homes were spared by the devastating wildfires have returned to Lahaina.
But conditions on the ground are grim: there is no running water or electricity, and soot and smoke fill the air.
Some residents who spoke to NBC News explained that they were concerned about protecting their homes.
“There’s been some looting that’s been happening, so we’re just trying to keep the house protected,” said Todd Durrell, who returned home with his girlfriend after learning his property survived.
“We’re armed just in case. We don’t want to be victimized any further.”