Parishioners in Hawaii churches gathered on Sunday to mourn the dead and pray for the missing following last week’s devastating wildfire that destroyed a historic Maui town and claimed the lives of over 90 people. Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, which was spared from the flames, held Mass with the Bishop of Honolulu, Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva, presiding. During the service, Silva read a message from Pope Francis, who expressed his prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
The community is now focused on the long recovery ahead, with search-and-recovery efforts still ongoing. As the death toll climbed to 93, authorities warned that the effort to find and identify the dead was still in its early stages. Crews with cadaver dogs have covered just 3% of the search area, according to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier.
Meanwhile, Hawaii officials have urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels are preparing to house evacuees and first responders. Approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became clear. The Hawaii Tourism Authority stated that the focus should now be on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.
Governor Josh Green announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced, while an additional 500 rooms will be set aside for FEMA workers. The state is also working with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes, with hopes of offering three- to nine-month rentals. The recovery effort is expected to be a marathon, and Mayor Mitch Roth urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits rather than donating physical items at this time.
The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane fueled the flames. The fires have become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of a 1960 tsunami and a 1946 tsunami. The devastation caused by the wildfire has left the community in mourning and facing a long road to recovery.Title: Hawaii Communities Begin Recovery Efforts After Devastating Wildfire
Subtitle: Parishioners mourn the dead and pray for the missing as Maui town grapples with the aftermath
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The tight-knit community of Lahaina in Hawaii is reeling from the aftermath of a devastating wildfire that destroyed the historic town and claimed the lives of over 90 people. As the search-and-recovery efforts continue, parishioners gathered at Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina to mourn the dead and pray for the missing.
While the church itself was spared from the flames, its members attended Mass led by the Bishop of Honolulu, the Rev. Clarence “Larry” Silva, who offered words of comfort and hope. Taufa Samisoni, who lost several family members in the fire, expressed his belief that they will find strength in the face of tragedy, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Peter walking on water.
During the Mass, Silva read a message from Pope Francis, who expressed his prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. The Pope also conveyed his gratitude and prayers for the first responders.
The community is now faced with the daunting task of recovery, with Hawaii officials urging tourists to avoid traveling to Maui. Many hotels are preparing to house evacuees and first responders, while approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have already 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 locals who have been displaced, and an additional 500 rooms will be set aside for FEMA workers. The state is also working with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes.
As the death toll continues to rise, authorities warn that the effort to find and identify the dead is still in its early stages. Crews with cadaver dogs have covered only 3% of the search area, highlighting the magnitude of the task at hand.
The recovery effort will be a long and arduous one, with Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth emphasizing that it will be a “marathon, not a sprint.” 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, but the dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane fueled the flames. The devastating blaze in Lahaina is already the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century, surpassing the death toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in California.
As the community mourns its losses and begins the process of rebuilding, the support and unity of its members will be crucial in overcoming this tragedy.
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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 is the PAA supporting the recovery efforts in Maui following the devastating wildfire?
Rebuilding and recovering from the devastating wildfire. Search-and-recovery efforts are still underway, with authorities warning that the process of finding and identifying the dead is still in its early stages.
In light of the ongoing recovery efforts, Hawaii officials have urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels are being used to accommodate evacuees and first responders. Thousands of residents and visitors have already fled the area since the devastation hit Lahaina. The focus now is to support the recovery of those who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.
To assist the displaced locals, Governor Josh Green has announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available, while an additional 500 rooms will be set aside for FEMA workers. The state is also working with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes, with plans to offer rentals for three to nine months. Mayor Mitch Roth has encouraged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits instead of donating physical items at this time.
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. This wildfire has become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of previous tsunamis. The community is in mourning and facing a long road to recovery.
My heart goes out to the families and community affected by this tragic event. Stay strong, Maui.