Wildfires likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii's state history, governor says
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green described the impact of the wildfires in Maui as likely the "largest natural disaster in Hawaii's state history," during a news conference Thursday.
"What we've seen today has been catastrophic," he said.
Green said that there will be a big team effort to "bring our state back."
"We are seeing loss of life here. As you know, the number has been rising, and we will continue to see loss of life," the governor said, adding that "many hundreds of homes" have been destroyed.
"That's going to take a great deal of time to recover from. But that's why we come together. We come together to give comfort to people," he said.
"Anything in the town center here is completely devastated," CNN correspondent describes scene in Lahaina
Smoke obscures the old Lahaina courthouse as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 9, 2023. Dustin Johnson/Handout/Reuters
"It looks like a bomb went off in Lahaina town," Bill Weir, CNN's chief climate correspondent, reported from the scorched Maui town on Thursday.
"All the iconic buildings are either flattened or just scorched skeletons of their former self," he said as he was among the first journalists to set their eyes on the aftermath of a natural disaster that has claimed at least 53 lives, according to officials.
"Flames came so fast, entire structures went up in a matter of minutes," Weir said that people told him.
The scene reminded him of the deadly 2018 Paradise wildfires, the deadliest and most destructive in California's history.
Anything in the town center here is just completely devastated," Weir said as he walked toward Front Street. "The fire was so hot, it burned everything all the way to the ground."
There were emergency rescue and cleanup crews in the town.
Otherwise, Weir said, it was " just lifeless, smoky, and sooty devastation where Lahaina town used to be."
Some background: Lahaina Town is a historic whaling village and tourism center that was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Front Street has been ranked as one of the “Top Ten Greatest Streets” by the American Planning Association.
Earlier Thursday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said as many as 1,700 buildings were probably destroyed in the fire and it looked like “about 80% of Lahaina is gone."
9:02 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
Maui County official says it's unrealistic to expect fire victim identifications "anytime soon"
From CNN's Paul P Murphy
Identification of Maui fire victims is not imminent as the wildfire death toll continues to climb, according to a county official.
"We’re talking about burn victims," the Maui county official told CNN. "It would be unrealistic to expect identifications anytime soon."
As to whether identification would be done on the island, or whether it would happen elsewhere, the official said all options were being discussed.
"I can tell you that we’re actively assessing that," the official said.
8:41 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
It's just after 1 p.m. in Maui. Here's what we know about Hawaii's devastating wildfires
Burned-out homes in Lahaina, Hawaii, are seen in this aerial photo on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Rick Bowmer/AP
Catastrophic wildfires have ravaged the island of Maui, destroying communities and killing at least 53 people, according to county officials. Others remain unaccounted for.
Gov. Josh Green, speaking to CNN, cited a previous natural disaster, the 1960 tsunami that caused 61 deaths. "This time, it's very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that, I'm afraid," he said.
The historic town of Lahaina, a hub for tourism and Maui's economy on the west side of the island, has borne the brunt of the firestorm.
Here's where things stand Thursday:
Devastation on the ground: The fires, fueled in part by strong winds associated with faraway Hurricane Dora, burnt most of Lahaina to the ground and destroyed homes and businesses in other communities on Maui. The fires caused explosions at gas stations and harbor fuel depots, burning boats down to the water line. Satellite images show the extent of the damage. Residents — many of them caught off-guard — made desperate escapes, with little time to gather belongings. Some even jumped in the water to survive. Nearly 11,000 residents are still without power this afternoon.
Firefighters are making progress: The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina is now 80% contained, Maui County officials said late Thursday morning local time (Hawaii is six hours behind ET). Firefighters battling two other major fires on the island are also making progress, including on the Pulehu fire — located further east in Kihei — which is now 70% contained. The other fire is located in the hills of Maui's central Upcountry, and it is still being assessed.
Many people are displaced: More than 1,300 residents and tourists stayed in emergency shelters overnight, before many of them were taken to the airport to leave the island, according to county leaders. Another roughly 1,400 people slept at the airport Wednesday night. Airlines are adjusting their schedules to help people get off the island.
Others are missing, and cell service is down: Given the chaotic evacuation and widespread communications issues, it has been difficult to account for everyone. California is sending a search and rescue team to aid crews from the US Coast Guard, Navy and other agencies, which already searching on the ground, by sea and by helicopter. Residents told CNN they're checking the registry at shelters and hoping unanswered messages are a result of the communications outage. It could take days or even weeks to fix networks, and officials have had to rely on satellite phones to communicate emergency information.
Scramble for resources: President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii to ramp up the level of federal aid for areas affected by wildfires. The island's isolated nature presents a uniquely difficult situation for relief agencies like FEMA trying to deploy their teams. A Hawaii lawmaker praised the federal response but said the island needs even more help — and faster.
How to help: Help is desperately needed for people displaced by the fires, and residents CNN interviewed Thursday urged viewers and readers to contribute if they can. You can support relief efforts here.
1:29 a.m. ET, August 11, 2023
Maui resident recalls chaotic wildfire evacuation: “The apocalypse was happening”
From CNN’s Andy Rose
May Wedelin-Lee appears on CNN on August 10, 2023. Correction: An earlier version of this post included the wrong photo of May Wedelin-Lee. CNN
One of the thousands of people evacuated from devastating wildfires in Maui says she is haunted by the chaotic evacuation of Lahaina.
“The apocalypse was happening,” said May Wedelin-Lee, a resident who lost her home.
Wedelin-Lee said the wind shifted and flames approached the community so quickly that people had less than 10 minutes to prepare.
“It was just panic. People were crying on the side of the road and begging,” she told CNN’s Erin Burnett Thursday.
“Some people had bicycles, people ran, people had skateboards, people had cats under their arm. They had, you know, a baby in tow, just sprinting down the street,” Wedelin-Lee said.
Although she currently finds herself with no home and no job, Wedelin-Lee said she can’t think too far into the future yet.
“Thinking about tomorrow is not even an issue right now,” she said. “It's just finding our friends, finding our families, finding our loved ones.”
7:29 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
At least 53 people killed in Hawaii wildfires, Maui county says
From CNN’s Taylor Romine
At least 53 people have now been killed by the Lahaina fire, Maui County said in a statement Thursday.
“As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 53 people,” the statement said.
7:23 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
More than 14,000 people relocated from Maui, state agency says
From CNN’s Sara Smart
Residents carry their belongings in suitcases on Thursday, August 10, after wildfires swept through Lahaina on Wednesday. Kuëu Kauanoe/Civil Beat/ZUMA Press
More than 14,000 people were moved off the island of Maui on Wednesday amid raging wildfires, with additional individuals still being moved today.
An additional 14,500 people are expected to be moved off by the end of the day Thursday, according to a news release from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.
The relocated individuals were either sent elsewhere in Hawai’i to finish their vacation or were sent back home, the release says.
7:41 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
Lahaina resident had to abandon his car and run toward the ocean as wildfires closed in
From CNN’s Jillian Sykes
Steven Potter was among those stuck near Front Street as fire surrounded him and trapped his vehicle. Courtesy Steven Potter
Steven Potter was trapped in his car near Front Street in the Maui town of Lahaina as the wildfires closed in on Tuesday.
“You had to get out of your car and run for your life,” Potter told CNN. “People fled toward the water. We ended up waiting down on the rocks for eight hours until firefighters came to rescue us.”
Despite covering his face with a wet shirt, Potter still breathed in a heavy amount of smoke. “I was coughing up black,” he said.
Potter said he saw cars exploding around him and suffered a burn above one of his eyes.
He was eventually evaluated by a doctor and is feeling better, but still shaken up after the close call.
“I was starting a new life for my family. I had a rental property starting next month and a car, but both burned away in the fire.”
Potter has a flight back home to Oregon to be reunited with his wife and five children on Saturday.
“Our move to Hawaii will be postponed for quite some time.”
Caroll Alvarado contributed reporting.
7:10 p.m. ET, August 10, 2023
Number of people killed in Hawaii fires expected to rise, governor says
The number of people killed by wildfires in Hawaii is set to climb, the governor said Thursday.
"You'll see the number go into the forties today, at the least," Gov. Josh Green told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Late Wednesday, officials gave a confirmed death toll of 36 from the devastating wildfires on Maui.
Green is set to hold a news conference with Maui Mayor Richard Bissen later today when officials are expected to provide the latest toll.
"In 1960, we had 61 fatalities, when a large wave came through the island. This time, it's very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that, I'm afraid," Green told CNN, referring to a tsunami.
As many as 1,700 buildings were probably destroyed in the fire, the governor said, adding that it looked like “about 80% of Lahaina is gone."
"I'll tell you, by the time this disaster is all described, I'm sure there will be dozens of people that lost their lives and billions of dollars of property that was destroyed," Green said.
The governor said most buildings are completely flattened, some of them still smoldering. Only some stone buildings are still standing, Green said.
“We also are only now getting some of our search and rescue personnel into other houses,” Green said, adding that helicopters are also surveying the area.
