The death toll from the fires in Hawaii, the deadliest in more than a century in the United States, has now reached 99 dead and “could double” this week, authorities warned on Monday, criticized for their handling of the tragedy. “Over the next ten days, that number could double,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green told CNN, announcing the discovery of three additional bodies, bringing the total to 99 dead.
The town of Lahaina, almost razed by the flames
Because the rescuers and sniffer dogs searching the rubble of the city of Lahaina, almost razed by the flames, still have a lot of ground to cover: only 25% of the area has been examined so far, authorities explained Monday evening. “We are burdened by the circumstances of climate change and tragedy at the same time,” Mr Green lamented.
Relatives of missing persons encouraged to take DNA test
In Lahaina, 12,000 inhabitants and former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the fire was so intense that it melted the metal.
Relatives of missing persons are encouraged to take a DNA test to help identify dead bodies. Because so far, only three victims “could be identified with their fingerprints,” according to police chief John Pelletier.
Authorities plan to restrict access to Lahaina during any search, due to the potential presence of chemicals and out of respect for the dead. “I am happy that we reject you (…) because otherwise you would have trampled on our deceased neighbors”, launched the governor to the press Monday evening. The authorities still identify 1,300 missing, according to Mr. Green. A figure that is falling as communications are gradually restored on the island of Maui and residents are able to locate their loved ones.
Trump denounces management
The circumstances of these dazzling fires, the cause of which is not yet known, remain unclear. They took the population by surprise. This fuels resentment among residents, who are not all allowed to return to the area around Lahaina, controlled by roadblocks. “The lack of communication is abysmal, people are very angry and frustrated, and the situation is only getting worse,” Pastor Stephen Van Bueren, whose church was destroyed, told AFP.
During fires, official alerts on television, radio and telephones proved useless for many residents without electricity or network. The alarm sirens remained silent. An investigation was opened to examine the crisis management. “We believe the mermaids were essentially immobilized by the extreme heat” that prevailed on Maui, Green said.
His management was criticized by Donald Trump on the Truth Social network. He “doesn’t want to do anything but blame climate change,” said the former US president.
dry fire hydrants
Two other controversies emerged. In Lahaina, some firefighters were delayed by dry or very low flow hydrants.
The electricity supplier Hawaiian Electric is also the subject of a complaint which accuses it of not having cut the power, despite the high risk of fire and the strong winds fed by a hurricane passing southwest of Maui, likely to knock down electric poles. “In Lahaina, electricity powers the pumps that provide water,” company boss Shelee Kimora retorted Monday evening, adding that any power outages could also harm the elderly or sick.
5.52 billion dollars to rebuild the island
Multiple fires that broke out last week, aided by strong winds and drought on the island, are still burning, despite firefighters’ efforts to contain them. However, the authorities do not seem worried about the tropical storm which is expected to pass south of the archipelago overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. It should have “virtually no impact”, according to the US Weather Services (NWS).
These fires come in the middle of a summer marked by extreme events on the planet, linked to global warming, according to experts, including mega forest fires in Canada. Maui must now feed and house thousands of survivors.
In Kahului, on the north coast of the island, several renowned chefs prepare 9,000 meals a day, helped by an army of volunteers. “Some of our cooks lost their homes (in the fire) and they are there with us, cooking for people. It gives you an idea of what it is, this ‘Aloha’ spirit”, confided to the AFP one of them, Sheldon Simeon, referring to the Hawaiian philosophy of life.
According to the governor, the authorities are in the process of opening around 2,000 accommodations (hotel rooms, Airbnb or private accommodation) to house the survivors. A program that must last at least 36 weeks. The reconstruction will take a long time. The cost of the Lahaina fire alone is estimated at $5.52 billion by federal authorities.