Devastating Maui Wildfire
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Above: damage to the West Maui town of Lahaina; Lahaina Banyan Court Park pictured. Below: Coast Guard image of Lahaina harbor during rescue operations
(Please click on red links & note magenta)
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The devastating wildfires in Maui, with flames fueled by strong trade winds, intensified by Hurricane Dora, engulf the Hawaii island, leading to the death of at least three dozen people. Thousands of Hawaii residents on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii are forced to abandon their homes, pets, and belongings. Communication pathways are affected and airports are packed. Several shelters are open to assist and several local organizations are collecting donations. 150 trained Red Cross responders are en-route to support relief operations in Hawaii. For more details about the 2023 Hawaii wildfires, please refer to the excerpt from wikipedia, in italics, below:
In early August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Affecting the island of Maui, and to a lesser extent Hawaiʻi (also known as the Big Island), the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and killed at least 36 people in the town of Lahaina. The proliferation of the wildfires was attributed to dry, gusty conditions created by a strong high-pressure area north of Hawaii and Hurricane Dora to the south.[2]
An emergency proclamation was signed on August 8, authorizing several actions, including activation of the National Guard, appropriate actions by the director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of Emergency Management, and the expenditure of state general revenue funds for relief of conditions created by the fires.[3] By August 9, the state government of Hawaii issued a state of emergency for the entirety of the state.[2] On August 10, President Biden issued a federal major disaster declaration.[4]
Emergency Proclamation For Maui Air Travel and Hurricane Dora, By Office of the Hawaii Governor, in italics, below:
HONOLULU — Due to the ongoing wildfires on Maui caused by Hurricane Dora, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke issued an emergency proclamation to extend the state of emergency to all counties, discourage non-essential air travel to Maui, and to order all affected state agencies to assist with the evacuation.
“This is an unprecedented disaster as an indirect result of Hurricane Dora passing just south of our islands,” said Lieutenant Governor Luke. “It is truly devastating and my heart goes out to the residents of Maui and all those impacted.”
As the wildfires continue, visitors with current and planned lodging at West Maui hotels may not have accommodations.
“This proclamation is to discourage travel to the affected areas so we can prioritize our scarce resources for Maui residents who desperately need assistance,” Lieutenant Governor Luke said.
The proclamation encourages visitors in West Maui to depart the island as soon as safe and practicable.
This follows the first emergency proclamation signed Tues., Aug. 8 authorizing several actions including activation of the National Guard, authorizes appropriate actions by the director of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of Emergency Management, as well as the expenditure of state general revenue funds for relief of conditions created by Hurricane Dora.
American Red Cross of Hawaii is sending team to Maui to help folks in Hawaii
If you would like to donate to American Red Cross of Hawaii, to help folks in Hawaii, please click HERE.
Hawai’i Department of Health Maui Community Mental Health Center is offering emergency services to wildfire victims: WAILUKU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Maui Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) is offering crisis mental health services and expanding hours to those experiencing emotional or psychological distress as a result of the Maui wildfires. To receive the emergency services, contact Maui CMHC at (808) 984-2150 or via email at mauiwellness@doh.hawaii.gov or read more.
Smoke and Dust Advisory Due To Brush Fires on Maui and Hawai’i Island: The wind-fueled brush fires that scorched large acres of land on Maui and Hawai‘i Island are generating dense smoke and ash which could result in increased levels of smoke, ash and dust in surrounding areas, especially during high winds. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Clean Air Branch is advising residents and visitors in read more.
US President Joe Biden has issued a “major disaster declaration” after 36 are dead from wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The US president’s action makes federal funds available to aid in recovery efforts on the island. The wildfires began on Tuesday and spread quickly, fueled by strong winds generated by Hurricane Dora. Authorities say it’s too early to know the extent of the damage, but at least 270 buildings have been destroyed, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by BBC News, as “Hawaii wildfires declared an emergency as land is scorched ‘like an apocalypse’ – BBC News“, below:
At least 36 people have been killed as wildfires fueled by hurricane winds tore through the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials said. Satellite images showed the scale of destruction in the popular tourist town of Lahaina, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by WSJ News, as “Maui Wildfires: Destruction Revealed in Satellite Images | WSJ News“, below:
Brenda Ekwurzel, senior climate scientist and director of climate science for the Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, detailed why the wildfires in Maui are different from other fires that have happened across the country, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by MSNBC, as “Hurricane winds, dry land are ‘lethal combination’ in Hawaii wildfires says scientist“, below:
Thousands of people on Maui are waiting to learn if their homes are still standing as uncontrolled wildfires fueled by winds from Hurricane Dora created a deadly firestorm and tourists are being told to stay away, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by FOX Weather, as “Hawaii Wildfires Deadliest To Scorch The US In Years“, below:
Team coverage of deadly fires across Maui as multiple blazes continue to burn, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by KPIX| CBS NEWS BAY AREA, as “Scope of destruction, death toll from deadly fires in Maui grows“, below:
Raging wildfires burned several neighborhoods to the ground in Maui, leaving at least 36 people dead. Many were forced to sleep in emergency shelters or cars, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023, by NBC News, as “Hawaii wildfires leave dozens homeless“, below:
ABC News correspondent Will Carr is in Maui, reporting on the devastation on the ground from wildfires that have claimed many lives, in the video published on Aug 10, 2023,, by Good Morning America, as “The latest on the wildfires in Hawaii“, below:
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
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