LAHAINA, Hawaii. The destructive wildfires that tore through Maui have left hundreds of homes reduced to ashes, forcing survivors to confront the ruins of their once peaceful neighborhoods. As emergency responders work tirelessly to find temporary housing for the fortunate survivors, the grim reality of the disaster has begun to emerge, with the death toll currently standing at 80 lives lost.
The speed and ferocity with which the wildfires spread across the Hawaiian island of Maui took many by surprise. The scale of the destruction became even more evident as communication remained challenging, with 30 cell towers still offline. Power outages are anticipated to persist for several weeks on the island’s western side. Authorities are cautioning that the death toll is likely to increase as search and rescue efforts continue.
Amidst the devastation, those who managed to escape the flames are counting their blessings, deeply grateful for their lives as they mourn the loss of friends and family members who didn’t make it.
Geoff Bogar, a retired fire captain, and his longtime friend Franklin Trejos initially stayed behind in Lahaina to assist others and save Bogar’s home. However, as the flames drew nearer on a Tuesday afternoon, they realized their only option was to flee. Both men escaped in their respective vehicles. While Bogar’s car failed to start, he broke a window to make his escape and was later rescued by a passing police patrol. Tragically, Trejos was not as fortunate. Upon returning the following day, Bogar discovered the remains of his 68-year-old friend and his beloved 3-year-old golden retriever, Sam, in his car.
Bill Wyland, who owns an art gallery in Lahaina, managed to escape on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, maneuvering through empty sidewalks to avoid the congested roads. Riding through strong winds that he estimated reached speeds of at least 70 miles per hour, Wyland described the scene as surreal, akin to something from a horror movie.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed by emergency managers in Maui, particularly in the town of Lahaina, where about 13,000 people reside. Efforts are underway to provide shelter for the approximately 4,500 individuals displaced from their homes. The Sheraton Hotel is being considered as a potential location to house survivors and disaster responders, offering 200 available rooms, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Aerial surveys have revealed that nearly 1,692 structures, primarily residential, were destroyed by the wildfires. Tragically, the wildfires have become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii in decades, surpassing the toll of the 1960 tsunami.
Fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the wildfires blazed through the parched landscape of Maui. Lahaina’s historic downtown, previously bustling with life, now lies in ruins, a stark contrast to the serene ocean and lush green surroundings.
As survivors grapple with the aftermath of the disaster and the community begins its path to recovery, the full extent of the impact of these devastating wildfires continues to unfold.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
