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Maui fires live updates: Hawaii's Lahaina blaze now the deadliest in modern U.S. history as toll climbs to 93
The Lahaina fire on Hawaii became the most deadly in modern U.S. history as the toll rose to 89, surpassing the 2018 Camp Fire in California that killed 85.
Local
Emergency efforts to get displaced Hawaii residents essentials are underway across the island.
In addition to food and clothing, the Lahaina Gateway Center has a tanker of potable water as a water advisory remains in place for Upper Kula and Lahaina.
"West Maui residents have requested coolers, slippers, underwear, flashlights and generators," the county said in a press release.
Donated Wi-Fi trucks where people can also charge their devices will be located at Napili Park and Honokowai Park, free of charge to the public.
Volunteers opened a department of motor vehicles office to help reissue drivers licenses and state identification cards to roughly 180 people staying in emergency evacuation centers. The fees were waived and evacuees were taken to the office free of charge by Department of Transportation buses.
Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, said she walked through Lahaina with FEMA on Saturday to see firsthand the extent of the loss.
As she walked through the destroyed town, Hirono said she passed a line of charred cars by the ocean where it was clear to her the occupants had fled quickly — likely into the water.
“We are in a period of mourning and loss,” Hirono said.
Hirono said the attorney general has launched a review into why there were not warning sirens alerting people to the danger and allowing them to flee before wildfires quickly consumed the town.
Hirono said the tragedy showed that Hawaii has just as much of a wildfire threat as Western states and more attention needs to be paid to wildfire prevention on the island.
“There is not enough recognition that we are going to have to combat these kinds of wildfires,” Hirono said.