The Maui wildfire, recognized as the deadliest fire storm in the United States in over a century, continues to take a devastating toll. The death count has risen to 99 in the last hour, and officials warn it will grow higher. The fire has resulted in the destruction of more than 2,000 buildings, most of them homes, marking it as the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history.
Nathon Holder, owner of the popular VigiLatte coffee shop on Front Street in Lahaina, witnessed the horrifying onslaught of the wildfire. Holder’s business and home, along with his employees’ homes, were destroyed in the fire. He described the wildfire as a blowtorch to the face, with thick smoke obstructing vision and breathing.
As the death toll continues to rise, countless people are still searching for missing family members and loved ones. Others are dealing with the heart-wrenching news that their family and friends were among the victims.
In light of new information about what sparked the fire in Lahaina, the state has initiated a formal review of the emergency response, revealing that fire hydrants were not providing water during the incident.
Specialized rescue and recovery teams, including a K-9 team from Los Angeles, are working relentlessly to recover victims’ bodies. Hawaii Governor Josh Green has stated that crews have only searched 3% of the burned areas so far and anticipates they will find 10-12 bodies per day over the next 10 days.
For those wishing to assist in the recovery efforts, a fundraiser has been set up to aid Holder and his employees in rebuilding their lives. Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-vigilatte-rebuild.
This catastrophic incident serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters and the critical importance of preparedness, resilience, and community support in their aftermath.