Angry scenes erupted on the road to Lahaina on Friday as police reopened the artery for the first time since the devastating wildfires — and 100 people opposed officers trying to control access.
Footage shared on social media showed a long line of cars entering the fire-ravaged city after the road opened at midday.
People had to show either proof of residency in the West Maui area or proof that they were staying at a hotel in the zone.
But by 5pm the road was closed in both directions and police said distraught and angry local residents had caused chaos, with one officer saying riots were inevitable.
One officer told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that people were parking along the freeway and moving into areas not yet considered safe, and reacted “emotionally” when police asked him to leave the area.
A long line of cars pours into Lahaina on Friday after the road into town reopened at noon. Only those who can show proof of residence or hotel in the zone have access
People can be seen walking through the apocalyptic scenes in Lahaina on Friday
Lahaina was devastated by the wildfire and the popular 19th-century wooden buildings went up in smoke
Cars were allowed to leave at 6 p.m., but the road to Lahaina remained closed.
Maui County officials confirmed unrest had broken out and urged people to respect orders to avoid certain areas.
They said anyone found in a closed part of the city could face arrest.
“The road to Lahaina has been opened to residents to provide medicine and supplies to their families who live in homes on the west side and need such assistance outside of the fire/biohazard zone,” the local authority said in a statement.
“Many people are parking on the Lahaina bypass and walking into the Makai areas of the bypass, which is closed due to hazardous conditions and biohazards.”
“This zone has been designated as an authorized personnel area only by Mayor Bissen, and those caught in this zone will be taken out and are subject to arrest.”
“This area is an active police scene and we must uphold the dignity of the lives lost and respect their surviving families.”
Local officials asked people to understand that police and other search and rescue teams needed time and space to do their jobs.
“Unauthorized entry into these areas increases their danger to themselves and delays our operations as MPD and National Guard personnel have to halt their search efforts and escort individuals out,” they said.
“If people continue to disobey orders, access to Lahaina will be closed again and only open to emergency personnel.”
The death toll from Tuesday and Wednesday’s fires rose to 67 on Friday.
Josh Green, the governor of Hawaii, warned those returning to their homes: “You will see destruction like you have never seen in your life.”
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is seen in Lahaina on Friday to assess the damage
Members of the Hawaii National Guard are seen combing the destroyed city on Friday
Rescue workers search the charred ruins of Lahaina in western Maui
Two people stand near a destroyed building in the city of Lahania on Thursday
The burned city is shown from the air. People jumped into the sea to escape the flames
Hospice workers cared for people and counseled those struggling with the trauma of destruction.
“If there’s a clinical team that’s prepared for that, I would say it’s our hospice clinical team, and maybe teams that are in emergency rooms because they deal with trauma and death on a daily basis,” said Kathleen Hogarty, Director of Advancement at Hospice Maui.
“So that’s not to say my team isn’t affected, but that’s what they do professionally and they didn’t even ask, they just jumped on.” [and said] ‘What can we do?’ And they’re out there doing it.’
As the extent of the devastation became clearer and cadaver dogs searched for bodies, striking new photos showed even boats in the harbor being ravaged by the fire.
The ships’ burnt-out hulls rocked in the water on Friday, showing that nowhere was safe.
Many people jumped into the sea to escape the blaze, and the US Coast Guard said it rescued 17 people who escaped to the Pacific Ocean.
They also recovered a body.
The charred wreck of a boat is seen rocking off Lahaina
People jumped into the sea to escape the fires, but the waves even swamped boats
The still-smoldering debris of a building in Lahaina Harbor
A partially submerged boat hull can be seen off the coast of Lahaina, Maui
The Coast Guard rescued 17 people from the sea, but many more are feared to have died
The docks and berths were destroyed by the fire that swept across Lahaina Tuesday and Wednesday
Waves pound over a burned boat lying in the waters off Lahaina on Friday
A whale-watching boat has melted and deformed from the heat of the fires
The port of Lahaina was destroyed by the fire
“They encountered casualties who were in the water and also on the seawall,” said Captain Aja Kirksey, the Honolulu section commander.
There have been no further rescue operations since early Wednesday, she said.
Coast Guard forces — including three cutters and two small boat crews — patrolled about 500 square miles of the harbor for more than 15 hours in search of survivors, Kirksey said.
“The Coast Guard Command Center in Honolulu broadcast an urgent informational broadcast to all Sailors regarding a mass rescue that resulted in a response from eight Good Samaritan ships,” Kirksey said.
“Our crews have been really heroic in their response.”