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 displaced.
Governor Josh Green announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for locals who have lost their homes, and 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 been displaced. Green estimates that the wildfire has caused an estimated $5.6 billion in damages.
The search and recovery efforts are still in the early stages, and the death toll is expected to rise. Crews with cadaver dogs have covered only 3% of the search area, highlighting the immense task ahead.
Lylas Kanemoto, who is awaiting news about her cousin, expressed her fear that he may be among the deceased. The family has already lost four other relatives in the fire. Kanemoto emphasized the unbearable loss and heartbreak that many are experiencing.
The recovery effort is expected to be a long and challenging process. Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits rather than 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 devastation caused by the wildfire surpasses that of the 2018 Camp Fire in California and is Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades.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, a message from Pope Francis was read, expressing prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, as well as gratitude for the first responders.
The devastating wildfire has prompted Hawaii officials to urge tourists to avoid traveling to Maui, as many hotels are now being used to house evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have already flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the extent of the destruction 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 normal operations to support the local economy and preserve jobs.
Efforts are also underway to provide rental homes for those who have lost their residences. The state is working with Airbnb to secure three- to nine-month rentals for affected individuals.
The scale of the devastation is immense, with over 2,700 structures destroyed in Lahaina and an estimated value of $5.6 billion lost. However, the focus remains on finding and supporting those affected by the tragedy.
As the death toll continues to rise, authorities warn that the search and identification process is still in its early stages. The wildfire has already become the deadliest in the United States in over a century.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier revealed that search teams with cadaver dogs have only covered 3% of the designated search area, highlighting the immense challenges faced in the recovery efforts.
Families anxiously await news about their missing loved ones, submitting DNA samples to aid in the identification process. The grief is palpable, with many families already mourning the loss of multiple relatives.
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, as there is currently no reliable distribution system in place for physical donations.
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.
The destruction caused by the wildfire has surpassed that of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, which claimed 85 lives and destroyed the town of Paradise. These wildfires mark Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people.
As the community comes to terms with the immense loss, the focus remains on supporting one another and working towards recovery and rebuilding.
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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.
What resources are being provided to ensure emotional support and a sense of normalcy for the children who witnessed the devastation caused by the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui
Ting the residents who have been displaced by the wildfire. The search and recovery efforts are still ongoing, with crews using cadaver dogs to cover the vast search area. The death toll is expected to rise as the search continues.
The emotional impact on children who witnessed the devastation is also being acknowledged. Rev. Silva emphasized the importance of providing support and a sense of normalcy for the children during this difficult time.
As the recovery efforts continue, Hawaii officials are urging residents and tourists to contribute to established nonprofits rather than donating physical items, as there is currently no reliable distribution system in place. The cause of the wildfire 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.
Communities in Hawaii are uniting in mourning and recovery efforts. Despite the unbearable loss and heartbreak that many are experiencing, there is hope that the community will find a way to overcome this tragedy and rebuild their lives in Lahaina, a historic Maui town.
My thoughts and prayers are with the communities affected by this tragic wildfire. Stay strong, Hawaii.