Maui police revised the death toll of the individuals killed in the Aug. 8 wildfire to 97, down from previous reports of 115; and say the number of individuals unaccounted for has also dropped to 31, down from 66 last week.
Interim Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator Darryl Oliveira said, now that the ground search is complete, the next step is EPA hazardous waste removal. After that has been completed, crews will start the “Return to Lahaina phase,” which is a re-entry effort.
Former Fire Chief and Civil Defense Director for Hawaiʻi County, Darryl Oliveira was named the interim Administrator at the Maui Emergency Management Agency during a press conference on Friday evening. He fills the spot left vacant by the resignation of Herman Andaya on Aug. 17, 2023, who cited health concerns as the reason for his departure. “We are honored to […]
County and federal officials joined in discussing the process involved in accounting for individuals who have been reporting missing, as well as the process involved in identifying remains recovered in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire disaster. View the full press conference at our Maui Now Facebook page.
During a stop at the inundation zone, President Biden said, “I want you to know, that on behalf of the United States of America and all the nation, the American people stand with you… To my left is the banyan tree, beloved by this community for over 150 years. Here in the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, where it stood for generations as a sacred spot of exceptional significance.”
“Today it is burned but it is still standing. The tree survived for a reason. I believe it’s a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis. For this, as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you. The whole country will be with you,” he said.