Hawaii Urges Tourists to Avoid Maui as Wildfire Devastation Continues
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials are urging tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as the island faces a long recovery from a devastating wildfire that has demolished a historic town and claimed the lives of over 90 people.
Since the devastation in Lahaina became clear on Wednesday, approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The agency released a statement late Saturday, stating that the focus should be on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses. Tourists are encouraged to visit Hawaii’s other islands.
Governor Josh Green has announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced, while an additional 500 hotel rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some hotels will continue with normal business operations to help preserve jobs and sustain the local economy.
The state is also working with Airbnb to ensure that rental homes can be made available for locals. Green hopes that the company will be able to provide three- to nine-month rentals for those who have lost their homes.
As the death toll in Lahaina continues to rise, authorities have warned that the effort to find and identify the dead 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 stated on Saturday that crews with cadaver dogs have only covered 3% of the search area. He emphasized that the number of dead is likely to increase, and the full extent of the tragedy is still unknown.
Federal emergency workers are currently searching through the charred remains of Lahaina, marking the ruins of homes with a bright orange “X” to indicate an initial search, and “HR” when human remains are found.
Families are anxiously awaiting news about their missing loved ones. Lylas Kanemoto, whose cousin Glen Yoshino is missing, expressed her fear that he may be gone. The family plans to submit DNA to help identify any remains.
The devastation caused by the wildfire is extensive. At least 2,200 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in West Maui, with damage estimated at close to $6 billion across the entire island.
In addition to the wildfire in Lahaina, two other fires have been burning on Maui, with no reported fatalities. The Upcountry fire has affected 544 structures, mostly homes.
As many as 4,500 people are in need of shelter, according to county officials. The death toll from the wildfire has surpassed that of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, making it Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades.
The cause of the wildfires is still under investigation. Hawaii emergency management records do not indicate that warning sirens sounded before the fire hit Lahaina, although alerts were sent to mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations.
The wildfires on Maui were fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane. The firefighting efforts may have been hindered by limited staff and equipment.
Residents and volunteers are coming together to support those affected by the wildfire. Donations of water, food, and other essential supplies are being unloaded from boats and distributed to those in need.
The focus now is on reuniting people, providing housing and healthcare, and beginning the process of rebuilding. Governor Green emphasized the need to support those who are living and to turn to rebuilding once immediate needs are met.Title: Wildfire Devastates Historic Town in Maui, Hawaii, Leaving 90+ Dead
Date: [Insert Date]
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials are urging tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as the island faces a long recovery from a devastating wildfire that demolished a historic town and claimed the lives of over 90 people. Many hotels are now preparing to house evacuees and first responders.
Since the devastation in Lahaina became apparent on Wednesday, approximately 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The agency released a statement on Saturday, emphasizing the need for collective resources and attention from federal, state, and county governments, the West Maui community, and the travel industry to focus on the recovery of displaced residents.
Governor Josh Green has announced that 500 hotel rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced, while an additional 500 hotel rooms will be set aside for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers. Some hotels will continue with normal operations to preserve jobs and sustain the local economy.
Efforts are also being made to work with Airbnb to provide rental homes for locals who have lost their homes. Green hopes that the company will be able to offer three- to nine-month rentals for those in need.
As the death toll in Lahaina rises to 93, authorities have warned that the search and identification process is still in its early stages. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier stated that only 3% of the search area has been covered by crews with cadaver dogs. He anticipates that the number of casualties will continue to grow, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the scale of the tragedy.
The devastation caused by the wildfire has left a lasting impact on the island. At least 2,200 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in West Maui, with an estimated total damage cost of close to $6 billion. The fire is already the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century.
The cause of the wildfires is currently under investigation. The fires have become Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing the 1960 tsunami that claimed 61 lives. The state’s emergency management records do not indicate that warning sirens were activated before the fire hit the town, as power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.
Maui’s firefighting efforts have been hindered by limited staff and equipment. With no more than 65 county firefighters working at any given time, they are responsible for three islands: Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
The community has come together to support those affected by the tragedy. Volunteers have been unloading donations from boats and providing essential supplies to those in need. Emergency shelters have been set up to provide temporary housing for displaced residents.
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the focus now is on reuniting people, providing housing, healthcare, and rebuilding the affected areas. The state of Hawaii is determined to support its residents and restore the island’s vibrant communities.
[Insert Image Caption: A group of volunteers unloading donations from a boat on Kaanapali Beach in Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Members of a search-and-rescue team walking along a street in Lahaina, Hawaii, following heavy damage caused by the wildfire]
[Insert Image Caption: Aerial view of the devastation caused by the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Residents of Maui coming together to donate essential supplies to those affected by the wildfire]
[Insert Image Caption: Firefighters battling the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Volunteers providing support and assistance to those affected by the wildfire in Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Aerial view of the destruction caused by the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Residents of Maui receiving assistance and support from volunteers]
[Insert Image Caption: Aerial view of the wildfire-ravaged landscape in Lahaina, Maui]
[Insert Image Caption: Emergency shelters set up to provide temporary housing for displaced residents in Maui]
How are residents and volunteers supporting those affected by the wildfires in Lahaina, particularly in terms of providing essential supplies such as water, food, and other necessities
N of Lahaina, although alerts were sent through mobile phones, television, and radio stations.
The wildfires were fueled by the dry summer and strong winds caused by a passing hurricane, which may have hindered firefighting efforts due to limited staff and equipment.
In the face of this devastation, residents and volunteers are coming together to support those affected. Donations of water, food, and other essential supplies are being unloaded from boats and distributed to those in need.
Moving forward, the focus will be on reuniting people, providing housing and healthcare, and beginning the process of rebuilding. Governor Green emphasized the importance of supporting those who are currently displaced and turning towards the rebuilding process once immediate needs are met.
