Image: HANDOUT (Carter Barto)
“Everyone I know and love, everyone I’m related to, everyone I interact with, my colleagues, friends, family – we’re all homeless,” said Dustin Kaleiopu. At least 36 people have died in the devastating bush and forest fires so far.
All victims died in the most affected coastal city of Lahaina in northwestern Maui, the district of Maui County said late Wednesday evening (local time). In addition, there were dozens injured, reported the broadcaster Hawaii News Now. The historical place popular with tourists has been largely destroyed. “We don’t have the Lahaina anymore, it’s gone,” reports Kaleiopu. It is an unspoken fact that the death toll is much higher.
Celebrities born or living in Hawaii were shocked. “It’s hard to see some of the images coming out of Hawaii – a place that is special to so many of us,” wrote former US President Barack Obama (62) on Twitter. “Michelle and I send our hearts out to everyone who has lost a loved one or whose life has been turned upside down.” Under the post he linked the page of a fundraising organization. The “Game of Thrones” actor Jason Momoa (44) wrote that he was “shattered and heartbroken” and called for donations.
Hundreds of families lost their homes
Huge clouds of smoke hung over the otherwise paradisiacal palm beaches, residents and tourists fled to safety from the flames. According to the authorities, several hundred families lost their homes. In addition, people with burn injuries and smoke poisoning were taken to hospitals. Hawaii News Now reported late Wednesday that the Lahaina fire remains active and out of control. There are also two other large fires on the island that are not under control. Fires also raged on the neighboring island of Hawaii to the east, the largest island in the state of the same name. A state of emergency has been declared for the two districts of Maui and Hawaii.
Thousands of people were left without power for the time being. On Thursday night (4:00 a.m. local time/4:00 p.m. CEST), around 11,000 households were still affected by power outages, according to data from the PowerOutage.us website. This corresponds to about 15 percent of households on the island. The power supplier Hawaiian Electric asked the population for patience. Employees worked to repair several power poles that had fallen due to high winds.
Eyewitnesses described apocalyptic scenes in Lahaina, usually a scenic tourist destination. People jumped into the sea to flee from the rapidly spreading flames. The Coast Guard later announced, according to the US broadcaster CNN, that more than a dozen people were rescued from the water. Large parts of the historic town with around 10,000 inhabitants had been destroyed, and the port and surrounding area had also suffered damage, the Maui district wrote in a further statement on Wednesday. More than 271 buildings were caught by the flames and damaged or destroyed.
Natural disasters in paradise – the islands in the chain in the Pacific, which are about 3,800 kilometers from the US west coast, are not spared anyway. The 50th state with its approximately 1.4 million inhabitants is frequently hit by hurricanes, storm surges and volcanic eruptions. The cause of the now raging fires was not initially known. Hurricane Dora, which is passing south of the islands, is partly responsible for the rapidly spreading fires, according to the authorities.
Biden agrees to help
US President Joe Biden promised aid to Hawaii. The National Guard and the Navy would support the response teams. The Department of Transportation will help fly vacationers out of Maui, a statement said. Up to ten million tourists visit the archipelago every year. “These wildfires and all the severe storms we keep seeing are definitely a result of rising temperatures around the world,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby said Thursday.
Hawaii’s governor Josh Green spoke of a “terrible disaster”. Travel to Maui has been discouraged. “This is not a safe place,” Deputy Governor Sylvia Luke warned. Tourists should be kept away by emergency declaration. The County of Maui on Wednesday called on travelers to leave the island as soon as possible. There are seats available on flights from Kahului Airport in the north of the island. However, travelers would have to call and reserve the airlines beforehand. In West Maui, however, there is still no electricity and no mobile or landline connections.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna is only aware of a handful of Austrians who are currently on Maui. “So far, our consulate general in Los Angeles has been able to support an Austrian citizen leaving Maui,” said spokeswoman Gabriele Juen when asked by APA. “We recommend travelers who are in the regions affected by forest fires to avoid dangerous situations and to follow the instructions of the US authorities at all times.” Citizens in a dangerous situation can contact the Austrian Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was emphasized.
Source: Nachrichten
