Title: Historic Maui Town Devastated by Wildfire, Community Begins Long Recovery
Subtitle: Parishioners mourn the dead and pray for the missing as Hawaii communities come together in the aftermath of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The tight-knit community of Lahaina, Maui, is reeling from the devastating wildfire that tore through the historic town, leaving destruction and loss in its wake. As the death toll rises to over 90, parishioners gathered in churches on Sunday to mourn the dead and pray for the missing.
Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, spared from the flames that engulfed the surrounding community, held Mass with the Bishop of Honolulu, the Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva, presiding. The congregation sought solace in Silva’s reference to the Bible story of Peter walking on water, finding hope in the midst of tragedy.
Taufa Samisani, who lost several family members in the fire, expressed his belief that the community will find strength to overcome this disaster. Silva read a message from Pope Francis, offering prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, as well as for the first responders.
The recovery efforts are just beginning, and the community is concerned about the well-being of its children, who have witnessed the tragedy and are experiencing anxiety. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for the children, allowing them to be with their peers and engage in learning and fun activities.
As the search-and-recovery efforts continue, authorities have urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui, as many hotels are now housing evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation 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 search for and identification of the deceased is still in its early stages, with only 3% of the search area covered by cadaver dogs. Families anxiously await news about their missing loved ones, submitting DNA samples to aid in the identification process.
The Lahaina community is rallying together to support those in need, with as many as 4,500 people requiring shelter. J.P. Mayoga, a cook at the Westin Maui, has been providing meals for approximately 200 hotel employees and their families who have sought refuge at the hotel.
However, challenges persist as water officials have warned residents not to drink running water due to possible contamination. Residents are advised to take short, lukewarm showers in well-ventilated rooms to avoid exposure to chemical vapors.
Maui Mayor Mitch Roth emphasized that the recovery effort will be a marathon, not a sprint. He 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 under investigation, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane fueled the flames. The devastation caused by the wildfire surpasses that of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.
As Lahaina and other parts of Maui begin the long road to recovery, the community remains resilient, supporting one another in their grief and determination to rebuild their lives.
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Associated Press journalists Jennifer Kelleher in Honolulu; Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Andrew Selsky in Bend, Oregon; Bobby Caina Calvan and Beatrice Dupuy in New York; Ty O’Neil in Los Angeles contributed to this report.Title: Hawaii Mourns Wildfire Victims and Begins Long Road to Recovery
Subtitle: Historic Maui town devastated, over 90 lives lost
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The community of Lahaina in Hawaii is in mourning as parishioners gathered in churches on Sunday to remember the victims and pray for those still missing after a devastating wildfire tore through the historic town. The fire claimed the lives of over 90 people and left the community in ruins.
While Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina was spared from the flames, its members attended Mass at a different location, led by the Bishop of Honolulu, Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva. During the service, Silva read a message from Pope Francis, offering prayers for those who lost loved ones and homes, as well as for the first responders.
Taufa Samisani, who lost several family members in the fire, found solace in Silva’s reference to the Bible story of Peter walking on water. He said, ”If Peter can walk on water, yes we can. We will get to the shore.”
The recovery efforts are still in their early stages, with search-and-recovery teams covering only 3% of the search area. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as more victims are found and identified. The wildfire has already become the deadliest in the United States in over a century.
As the community grapples with the tragedy, concerns have been raised about the well-being of children who have witnessed the devastation. Rev. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy and support for the children, allowing them to be with their peers and engage in learning and fun activities.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Hawaii officials have urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui, as many hotels are now housing evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the extent of the devastation became clear.
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 residences.
The recovery effort is expected to be a long and challenging process. Maui Mayor Mitch Roth described it as a “marathon, not a sprint.” He 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, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane are believed to have fueled the flames. The Lahaina fire, which destroyed nearly every building in the town, is the most serious of the blazes on Maui.
As Lahaina mourns its losses and begins the journey towards recovery, the community remains resilient, supporting one another in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
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Associated Press journalists Jennifer Kelleher in Honolulu; Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho; Andrew Selsky in Bend, Oregon; Bobby Caina Calvan and Beatrice Dupuy in New York; Ty O’Neil in Lahaina, Hawaii; Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut; and Lisa J. Adams Wagner in Evans, Georgia, contributed to this report.
What challenges are residents facing in the aftermath of the wildfire, and how are officials addressing the issue of water contamination
Who witnessed the devastation and are experiencing anxiety. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for the children, allowing them to be with their peers and engage in learning and fun activities.
In the aftermath of the wildfire, tourists have been urged to avoid traveling to Maui, as many hotels are now accommodating evacuees and first responders. Governor Josh Green announced plans to make 500 hotel rooms available for displaced locals and an additional 500 rooms reserved for FEMA workers. Some hotels will continue their operations to support the local economy and preserve jobs. The state is also collaborating with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their residences.
The recovery effort is expected to be a long and challenging process. Challenges such as water contamination have emerged, leading officials to advise residents not to drink running water. Mayor Mitch Roth encouraged residents to donate money to established nonprofits rather than physical items, as the distribution system is not yet fully established.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the wildfires, but the dry summer and strong winds fueled the flames. The devastation caused by the wildfire surpasses that of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.
Despite the devastation, the Lahaina community remains resilient and united in supporting one another during this difficult time. As they begin the long road to recovery, the community’s determination to rebuild shines through.
This is devastating news. My heart goes out to all those affected by the wildfire.
Sending thoughts and prayers to the families and communities affected. Stay strong, Maui.