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, the congregation received a message from Pope Francis, who expressed his prayers for those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. He also extended his prayers to the first responders who have been working tirelessly in the recovery efforts.
The community is particularly concerned about the well-being of the children who have witnessed the tragedy and are experiencing anxiety. Rev. Silva emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for the children, allowing them to be with their peers, learn, and have fun.
As the recovery efforts begin, Hawaii officials have urged 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 devastation became apparent.
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 reserved for FEMA workers. Some hotels will continue their normal operations to support the local economy and preserve jobs.
Efforts are also underway to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes. The state is working with Airbnb to secure three- to nine-month rentals for affected residents.
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, according to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. The death toll has now surpassed that of the 2018 Camp Fire in California, making it the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century.
The recovery process is expected to be a long and arduous one, with Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth likening it to a marathon. 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 community, once a vibrant town of 13,000, now lies in ruins, leaving its residents to grapple with the immense loss and devastation.
As Lahaina and other affected areas begin the long road to recovery, the spirit of unity and support among the community remains strong. Together, they will rebuild and find solace in each other’s presence, knowing that they are not alone in their grief and struggles.
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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 assisting residents who have been displaced by the wildfire in Lahaina?
Ave been displaced by the wildfire, while an additional 500 rooms will be set aside for FEMA workers. The state is also in talks with Airbnb to provide rental homes for those who have lost their homes, with plans to offer three- to nine-month rentals.
The recovery effort is expected to be a long and challenging process. Mayor Mitch Roth urged residents to contribute money to established nonprofits rather than donating physical items at this time, emphasizing the need for financial support to aid in the recovery.
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. These fires have become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the death toll of both a 1960 tsunami and a 1946 tsunami.
The community of Lahaina is in mourning and grappling with the aftermath of this devastating wildfire. As recovery efforts begin, the focus is on supporting the affected residents and providing them with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.
Sending prayers to all those affected by the devastating wildfire in Hawaii. May they find strength and healing during this difficult time.
Maria: My thoughts are with the people of Hawaii and the churches praying for healing and recovery. Let’s stand together and support one another during this challenging situation.