At least 114 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui, Hawaii, reducing much of the historic town of Lahaina to ash.
The County of Maui and the Maui Police Department have confirmed the death toll, but locals believe the actual number of deaths is closer to 500. Allisen Medina, a resident of Maui, expressed her frustration with the authorities, stating, "I know there are at least 480 dead here in Maui, and I don't understand why they're not saying that. Maybe it's to do with DNA or something." Authorities are urging people to provide DNA samples to help identify victims, and the FBI has announced the opening of a DNA matching site to expedite the process.
Medina also criticized the relief efforts of the Biden administration, claiming that not enough is being done to assist the affected residents. She questioned why the response has been lacking, especially considering the proximity of Oahu, which houses several military bases. Medina, who has been assisting burned-out residents, expressed her disappointment in the government and relief organizations, stating, "Why is nothing else being done?"
Medina specifically criticized Herman Andaya, the administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, who resigned without admitting fault. She condemned his decision not to sound warning sirens, which could have potentially saved lives. A part-time morgue worker, who had personally witnessed the devastation, revealed that authorities had only searched 13% of Lahaina as of last week. He described finding numerous children and families huddled together, burning to death. The morgue worker also disclosed that the morgue on the island was at full capacity, and containers were being used to hold the excess body bags.
Governor Josh Green stated that there are still an estimated 1,050 people unaccounted for. He acknowledged that search and recovery efforts in larger buildings could take weeks and that some remains may be impossible to recover due to the high temperatures at which the fires burned. Researchers and forensic anthropologists have warned that an accurate count of the death toll could take months or even years. Lynn Goldman, an epidemiologist and dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, explained that accounting for all the direct deaths would be challenging, as they could include individuals who were burned, drowned, or died from smoke inhalation.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier emphasized the unprecedented nature of the wildfires, stating, "No one has ever seen this that is alive today. Not this size, not this number, not this volume and we're not done." As officials continue to assess the extent of the tragedy, survivors are seeking answers regarding the cause of the wildfires. Several lawsuits have been filed, alleging that Hawaiian Electric, the primary electricity provider for the state, prioritized its shift to 100% renewable energy over the clearing of flammable vegetation and the maintenance of power lines.
The devastating wildfires in Maui have left a trail of destruction and loss. The death toll continues to rise, and the recovery efforts are expected to be lengthy and challenging. As the community mourns the lives lost and begins the process of rebuilding, questions remain about the factors that contributed to the severity of the wildfires. The lawsuits against Hawaiian Electric highlight the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the causes of this tragedy.
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