Lahaina, a historic town on the west coast of Maui island, was engulfed by flames on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, as a series of wildfires swept across Hawaii. The town, which is home to about 12,000 people and attracts millions of visitors every year, was reduced to ashes in a matter of hours. At least 53 people have been confirmed dead, and hundreds more are missing or injured. The fire also destroyed more than 1,700 buildings, including homes, hotels, shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks.
The fire started around noon on Tuesday, when strong winds from Hurricane Dora fanned the flames of a small brush fire near Lahaina. The fire quickly spread out of control, jumping over highways and rivers, and reaching the town by 2 p.m. The residents and tourists had little time to evacuate, as the fire cut off the main roads and created a thick smoke that reduced visibility. Some people tried to escape by boat or by swimming in the ocean, but many were trapped by the flames or drowned.
The fire department and the National Guard were overwhelmed by the scale and speed of the fire, and could not reach many areas in time. They focused on rescuing as many people as possible, using helicopters, boats, and trucks. They also tried to protect some of the historic buildings in Lahaina, such as the Lahaina Banyan Court Park, which has a giant banyan tree that is over 150 years old. However, they could not save most of the town’s heritage, which dates back to the 19th century when Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Other parts of Maui and Hawaii islands also affected by wildfires
Lahaina was not the only place that suffered from the wildfires in Hawaii. Other parts of Maui island also experienced fires that burned thousands of acres of land and damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings. The fires threatened several communities, such as Kaanapali, Napili, Kahului, and Kihei. They also affected some of the natural attractions on the island, such as Haleakala National Park and Iao Valley State Park.
The wildfires also spread to other islands in Hawaii, such as Hawaiʻi (also known as the Big Island), where they burned more than 2,000 acres of land and forced evacuations in some areas. The fires were fueled by dry vegetation and strong winds from Hurricane Dora, which passed south of Hawaii on Tuesday. The hurricane brought heavy rain to some parts of the state, but also created gusty conditions that worsened the fire situation.
State and federal governments declare state of emergency and offer assistance
The state government of Hawaii declared a state of emergency for the entire state on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, authorizing several actions to respond to the wildfires. These included activating the Hawaii National Guard, mobilizing the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), and allocating state funds for relief efforts. The state government also requested federal assistance from President Joe Biden, who issued a major disaster declaration on Wednesday, August 9.
The federal government sent additional resources and personnel to Hawaii to help with firefighting, rescue operations, damage assessment, and recovery efforts. These included teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the American Red Cross (ARC). The federal government also offered financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the wildfires, such as grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans for property losses, and unemployment benefits for workers who lost their jobs due to the fires.
The state and federal governments also received support from other states and countries that offered to send firefighters, equipment, supplies, or donations to Hawaii. These included California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Canada, and France.
Residents and visitors cope with loss and trauma amid ongoing fires
As of Thursday, August 10, 2023, some of the wildfires in Hawaii were still burning or smoldering in various locations. The fire officials said that they had contained most of the fires on Maui island but warned that there was still a risk of flare-ups or new ignitions due to hot spots or embers. They also said that they were monitoring the weather conditions closely for any changes that could affect the fire behavior or spread. They advised residents and visitors to stay alert and follow evacuation orders if necessary.
Meanwhile, many residents and visitors who survived the fires were coping with loss and trauma amid the devastation. Some were searching for their missing loved ones, pets, or belongings. Some were trying to salvage what they could from their burned homes or businesses. Some were seeking shelter, food, water, or medical care from relief centers or agencies. Some were mourning the deaths of their friends, family members, or neighbors. Some were expressing gratitude for being alive or for being helped by strangers.
Many people also expressed sadness and anger over the destruction of Lahaina, which was not only a historic town but also a vibrant and diverse community. They said that Lahaina had a rich cultural heritage that reflected the history and identity of Hawaii, as well as a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that attracted people from all over the world. They said that Lahaina was more than just a tourist destination, but a place where they lived, worked, played, learned, and loved. They said that they hoped to rebuild Lahaina and restore its spirit, but they also acknowledged that it would never be the same again.