Maui has almost “disappeared from the map” after 271 buildings burned down in the fierce wildfires that have already claimed six lives and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Authorities are struggling to provide shelter to the hundreds of displaced locals and tourists — while President Biden has granted federal aid and dispatched Black Hawks to help put out the relentless blazes fueled by high winds near Hawaii.
Democratic Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz announced that Lahaina was “almost completely burned down” as firefighters appeared to be making little headway in the fight.
One person said: “Total devastation left by the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.” “It’s no exaggeration to say Lahaina is off the map.”
Thousands of tourists vacationing in the popular tourist destination are still stranded on the island, seeking temporary shelter after being ordered to leave the country.
Images show desperate people throwing themselves into the sea to escape the fire that has engulfed the landscape.
Maui almost disappeared from the map after 271 buildings burned down in the fierce wildfires that have already claimed six lives and caused billions of dollars in damage
The hall of Lahaina’s historic Waiola Church and the nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission along Wainee Street are on fire
Officials anxiously await the president’s declaration of a state of emergency as the state faces billions in structural damage from the raging infernos
Drought and high winds from Hurricane Dora have sparked fires across Hawaii and prompted statewide evacuations
An aerial view of destroyed buildings as a wildfire burns in Lahaina, Hawaii
Officials anxiously await the president’s declaration of a state of emergency as the state faces billions in structural damage from the raging infernos.
There was no change as of midnight in the containment of three of the biggest fires to rage across the island – raising fears that many will wake up on Thursday with homes burned to ashes.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green warned that there was not enough shelter “to live long term” to help the hundreds of people who lost everything in the wildfires.
Around 2,000 tourists are currently in shelters near the island’s airport.
Overflights by the US Civil Air Patrol and Maui Fire Department investigating Lahaina revealed more than 271 buildings have been affected so far – but with no end in sight to the wildfire, that number is expected to rise by Thursday.
All of West Maui remains without power and without landline or cell phone service as the wildfires continue to burn down buildings for a day.
Democratic Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz announced that Lahaina was “almost completely burned down” as firefighters appeared to be making little headway in the fight
Authorities are struggling to provide shelter to the hundreds of displaced locals and tourists — while President Biden has granted federal aid and dispatched Black Hawks to help put out the relentless blazes fueled by strong winds near Hawaii
After hearing reports that her home had been destroyed and her pets killed, local Steff Baku-Kirkman puts her hands over her head. Wildfires caused by high winds devastated the city of Lahaina
Aerial views of the devastating effects of the wildfires on the island. You can see smoke rising into the sky
Pictured: The port has been badly hit — and the western Maui city is seeing widespread damage, according to federal forces called in to deal with the crisis
A mass evacuation of visitors by bus took place late Wednesday at the Sheraton Maui Resort in Ka’anapali, taking visitors directly to Kahului Airport, where travelers were desperate to board departing flights.
Housing at War Memorial High School in Wailuku, Maui High School in Kahului and the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani remain open, the state said in an update early Thursday morning.
Gov. Green told CNN, “What we’re trying to do right now is to make sure that anyone who doesn’t have to be in Maui for anything other than essential travel doesn’t go to Maui.”
“I’m calling on all the people of Hawaii right now: if you have an ADU on your property, if you have a rental property that is currently unoccupied, we will promote a program fairly quickly to get people back into housing.”
“We already have homelessness and a severe housing shortage in our state, which of course is compounding the problem.”
The port has been badly hit – and the western Maui city is suffering widespread damage, according to federal forces called in to deal with the crisis.
Four helicopters were used for waterdrops in Lahaina, while two Chinooks along with four Windward Aviation helicopters and Black Hawks fought all three fires with waterdrops.
Three U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy helicopters were conducting search and rescue operations along the coast of West Maui late Thursday evening.
Two images show the destruction of vegetation and structures on Maui
A man sits in a chair amid the utter destruction of the island. Joe Biden called for federal aid to reach Hawaii on Wednesday night
In addition to the six people pronounced dead, Maui Memorial Medical Center said it has treated seven patients for fire-related injuries, two of whom are in critical condition.
Some are being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Another seven patients were transferred to Oahu for special treatment.
Wade Ebersole, the hospital’s chief operations officer, said, “Our caregivers care deeply about the health and well-being of this community and they work to ensure that all of our patients’ needs are met.”
“Our hearts and support are with our community and first responders at this challenging time.”
Satellite images taken before and after the fires broke out showed the destruction of the landscape and infrastructure.
According to CNN, images showed the Lahaina Heritage Museum burned so badly that its roof collapsed.
The Baldwin Home Museum was also burned down in the travesty – as was the Wo Hing Temple Museum, which was a social and spiritual meeting place for Hawaii’s Chinese immigrant community.
On Wednesday afternoon, Joe Biden called for federal assistance to reach Hawaii Wednesday night, saying the US Coast Guard, Navy Third Fleets and US Marines would support the response and rescue efforts.
The utter devastation in the idyllic historic city of Hawaii was laid bare after massive wildfires ravaged the tourist hotspot and reduced everything in their path to rubble
The wildfires on Maui killed six people and seriously injured 20 people. It was an “unprecedented” disaster for Lahaina
Wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Tuesday caused some people to jump into the sea to escape the flames and smoke
There are currently 11,209 homes without electricity on Maui
Confirming the devastating death toll, Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said, “It is with regret that I report that just before this matter began, it was confirmed that there were six fatalities.” We are still in search and rescue mode.
“We’ve had a lot of homes – businesses, buildings – that have burned down, many of them to the ground.”
“Due to the three fires that are ongoing here on our island, there have been 13 evacuations from different neighborhoods and cities, 16 road closures and the opening of five emergency shelters.”
11,209 Hawaiians are left without power and the fires continue.
James Kunane Tokioka, the state’s director of business, economic development and tourism, said: “Local people have lost everything.”
“They’ve lost their home, they’ve lost their animals, and it’s devastating.”
The National Weather Service has warned that more destruction is imminent.
On Wednesday afternoon, a warning read: “Very dry fuels in combination with strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidity will lead to critical fire weather conditions in the afternoon hours.”
The city of Lahaina is all but destroyed. Devastating videos showed desperate residents jumping into the harbor to avoid the blazes last night
Thousands of Hawaiians are left without power and the fires continue
Smoke billows near Lahaina as wildfires caused by high winds destroy much of the historic town of Lahaina
US President Joe Biden said in a statement: “Jill and I offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Maui wildfires, and our prayers are with those whose homes, businesses and communities have been destroyed .”
“We are grateful to the brave firefighters and first responders who continue to face danger and put themselves at risk to save lives.”
“I have directed all available federal resources in the islands to help with the response.” The Hawaiian National Guard has mobilized Chinook helicopters to help with firefighting and search and rescue on the island of Maui.
“The U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy’s Third Fleets are supporting the response and rescue efforts. US Marines provide Black Hawk helicopters to help fight Big Island fires.
“The Department of Transportation is working with commercial airlines to evacuate tourists from Maui, and the Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture stand ready to support post-fire recovery efforts.”
“I urge all residents to continue to follow evacuation orders, listen to first responders and officials, and remain vigilant.”
Victoria Wayne-Bowley was born and raised in the historic town of Lahaina. This morning, the Hawaii native woke up to non-stop calls from distraught friends and loved ones claiming their homes had either burned down or were threatened by the devastating fires that have ravaged Maui.
“Everyone suffers from lack of sleep and doesn’t know where their loved ones are.” I never imagined such a catastrophe. “It is the most devastating disaster in Maui history,” Wayne Bowley told .
“All of Lahaina is a complete wasteland.” There were people whose only choice was to jump into the sea while the Coast Guard rushed to their rescue. It looks like Hiroshima.
“Last night people literally drove down to dinner like everything was safe, and in just a short amount of time, within 24 hours, that’s what happened,” said Wayne-Bowley, who lived in Lahaina for 25 years before moving to New Jersey moved, but still travels to Maui regularly for work.
Wayne-Bowley and her family run a popular islandwide clothing company called the Maui Clothing Company, which employs about 70 people. As of this afternoon, the use of mobile phones was problematic or no longer possible due to the fires.
Her father, Edward Wayne, founded the company in 1982, which has since grown to 14 stores. Three of them are under immediate threat.
“We still cannot reach our employees. “No one is available in the Lahaina area,” Wayne-Bowley explained. “I communicated via email, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
“I am 99% positive that our original store on Front Street in Lahaina burned down today.” My parents opened it in 1982, the year I was born. It was then called Lobster & Roses but changed to Maui Clothing Company.
“Our other two stores, Maui WaterWear and Cruise Maui Boutique, are located in another shopping district called Whalers Village in Kaanapali, which is also under threat.”
The city of Lahaina is all but destroyed. Devastating videos showed desperate residents jumping into the harbor to avoid the blazes last night
Both locations are Lahaina’s top tourist destinations for shopping.
“It’s really sad to see the level of devastation.” We have family and friends who opened restaurants and businesses decades ago only to be destroyed. “There are historical landmarks that have burned down.”
“We don’t know all the details, but these are nostalgic places that people have visited over the last 50 years that no longer exist.”
‘I’m sad. It’s devastating. It’s tragic and heartbreaking. “You feel like everyone on the island is family and everyone treats everyone like family.”
dr George Martin, a longtime friend and well-known dermatologist in Lahaina, narrowly escaped the deadly fire that broke out just a quarter mile from his hundred-animal ranch.
“Our close friend Dr. Martin has almost a hundred animals, horses, chickens, ponies. He had to evacuate them all last and luckily people from other parts of the island offered their help. That’s how people are here. “Everyone is helping and posting messages online saying they have land and should bring their animals.”
A discouraged local shared a heartbreaking Instagram post, saying, “My brother says there are dead bodies on the ground in Lahaina.”
Devastating aerial footage shows the extent of damage in Lahaina, where thousands of locals fled in the dead of night to avoid captivity.
Claire Kent, who was among those who took boats into the water, said she lost “everything”.
Joe Biden called for federal assistance to reach Hawaii on Wednesday night, saying the US Coast Guard, the Navy’s Third Fleet and the US Marines would support the response and rescue efforts
Plumes of smoke rise from a building on Maui
The worst fires occur on Maui, where Oprah and Steven Tyler are among the celebrities who have homes. The Lahaina fire was the most destructive, burning homes and businesses
“I left Lahaina and am safe with some friends in Waiehu. My home is gone, my city is gone, my job is gone. We lost everything.
“It’s the most horrifying thing I’ve ever experienced. So incredibly devastated.”
Patients with multiple burns were flown from Maui to Honolulu today for care as the “apocalyptic” fires continue to rage.
The fires, fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora, have burned down buildings, forced evacuations and caused power outages in several communities.
The worst fires occur on Maui. One is burning down parts of northern Wailea — where tourist hotels like the Four Seasons and Hilton dot the beach — and another has destroyed the city of Lahaina.
A Four Seasons Wailea employee told that the resort was unaffected aside from “some air quality issues.” The first season of The White Lotus was filmed at the $990-a-night hotel.
The fires, fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora, have burned down buildings, forced evacuations and caused power outages in several communities
In Lahaina, a city of about 12,000 people, desperate locals jumped into the water in the harbor to escape the flames. Twelve people were rescued from the waves by boats.
“This is an unprecedented disaster as a direct result of Hurricane Dora sweeping south of our island.” “It is truly devastating and my condolences go out to the residents of Maui and all those affected,” Lieutenant Governor Sylvie Luke said Wednesday morning.
A fire in Kula, in central Maui, is raging near where Oprah recently bought hundreds of acres of land.
“This is so unprecedented.” “An emergency during the night is terrifying … right now all hands are on deck and we’re awaiting daybreak,” Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin said in the early hours of Wednesday.
“We are already in talks with other hospital systems to reduce the burden. The reality is that we have to fly people out of Maui to assist with burns because the Maui Hospital cannot provide comprehensive burn treatment.”
“In addition to dealing with disasters, we are also dealing with major transportation issues,” she told CNN on Wednesday.
‘911 is out. Cellular service is down. Telephone service is down. That was part of the problem. Maui County was unable to communicate with residents on the west side, the Lahaina side.
Front Street in Lahaina was nearly leveled Tuesday night as the fires continued to rage
“We’re trying to deploy individuals to areas with satellite phone service.”
“We may have only had contact with one hotel because the managers at that one hotel have satellite phones.” That’s the only way you can connect.
“It’s interfering with communications.” “It’s interfering with residents’ evacuation efforts and we’re very concerned about that,” she said.
Fire chiefs yesterday warned residents to evacuate their homes before it was too late.
“The fire may be a mile or more from your house, but it could be in your home in a minute or two.” “Airborne combusting materials can start fires a long way from the main seat of the fire,” said Jeff Giesea, deputy Maui County Fire Chief.
Firefighters on Maui battled multiple fires that were concentrated in two areas: the popular tourist destination of West Maui and an inland mountainous region.
Footage taken from a yacht at Maui’s Lahaina Mooring Field shows the sky bruising as huge plumes of smoke billow from the fires.
The video also shows fires raging in a Maui residential area surrounded by grasslands, with black smoke billowing into the sky.