A wave of wildfires is sweeping through Maui County in Hawaii, fueled in part by strong winds originating from a passing hurricane. This devastating situation has prompted hundreds of evacuations, left thousands without power, and caused significant structural damage in the historic Lahaina Town. The dire circumstances have even forced some residents to seek refuge in the ocean to escape the encroaching flames.
According to Mahina Martin, the County of Maui spokesperson, three areas of the island are under the wildfire’s impact. Lahaina, a bustling mix of residential and tourist spaces with a commercial district, is suffering along with Kula, a residential area situated in the inland and mountainous Upcountry region. Kihei, another affected area, houses a blend of residential homes, condominiums, short-term vacation rentals, and visitor facilities in South Maui.
Reports from Maui county officials confirm the destruction of multiple structures and the issuance of several evacuation orders as emergency crews valiantly battle both brush fires and structural blazes. However, the full extent of evacuations, fire size, and structural damage remains uncertain.
Mahina Martin admitted, “We have a lot that we will learn at daybreak. It’s been an unprecedented incident striking large areas of our island and it has been pretty much all hands on deck.”
In response to the crisis, Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen have taken the initiative to issue emergency proclamations. The Hawaii National Guard has been mobilized, assisting the Maui Police Department in managing traffic control points, as directed by the Hawaii Adjutant General.
Weather conditions have played a significant role, with Hurricane Dora’s passage 500 miles south of the island chain and a potent high-pressure system north of the state contributing to powerful and damaging winds throughout the night. The National Weather Service has sounded the alarm, issuing a red flag warning for leeward areas, emphasizing the critical fire weather conditions brought about by dry fuels, strong easterly winds, and low humidity.
The toll on human lives is heartbreaking. Burn victims are being transported to Oahu, with Shayne Enright, spokesperson for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, revealing that a woman in her 60s was airlifted to a Honolulu hospital burn center in critical condition. The gravity of the situation has left Maui’s hospitals inundated with burn patients and individuals suffering from smoke inhalation. Overwhelmed by the crisis, transporting these patients to alternate facilities has proven extremely challenging.
Lahaina Town is among the most affected areas. All roads into this town, home to around 13,000 people, and West Maui have been closed to the public, with exceptions only for emergency services. The town’s landscape has turned into an apocalyptic scene, with flames engulfing buildings and causing extensive damage. Desperate warnings have been issued, urging people to avoid Lahaina Town due to the imminent danger.
The island’s heritage has also suffered, as historic landmarks like Lahaina’s Waiola Church and Lahaina Hongwanji Mission temple have fallen victim to the flames. Waiola Church, dating back to 1823, is home to the first Christian cemetery in Hawaii, the resting place for early members of the Kingdom of Hawaii’s royal family.
Amidst the chaos, Martin shared that over 2,000 people remain stranded at Maui’s Kahului Airport. In an effort to ensure safety, the Hawaii Department of Transportation worked with airlines and the TSA to provide shelter to about 1,800 individuals overnight. However, highways on the island’s west side are still closed, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.
The educational sector has not been spared, with ten public schools in Maui closing their doors. In a remarkable show of community support, Lahainaluna High School’s student boarders were relocated to Maui High School, now functioning as an evacuation shelter. This movement aims to connect them with their families or emergency contacts while the Lahainaluna campus remains shut due to power loss, wind damage, and evacuations caused by the brush fires.
The escalating situation has also led to an evacuation scenario in Kihei, resulting in the closure of four public schools in South Maui, in addition to schools across West, Upcountry, and Central Maui.
The gravity of the situation has driven some residents to the ocean as a last resort, as smoke and fire conditions become untenable. The Coast Guard has swung into action, rescuing 12 people from the waters off Lahaina. The unimaginable chaos has left residents like Tiare Lawrence describing scenes that resemble something out of an apocalypse, with people fleeing for their lives.
Kula, another area facing the blaze, has witnessed the destruction of at least two homes in the fire that has consumed around 1,100 acres. About 80 individuals have been evacuated from 40 homes, according to Bissen of the Associated Press. In response, the Red Cross has opened multiple emergency shelters to accommodate those in need. Martin disclosed that one of these centers has already hosted over 1,200 individuals.
The consequences of the wildfires extend beyond immediate danger, with more than 14,000 customers in Maui County left without power. Downed power lines and restrictions along parts of Honoapiilani Highway have created obstacles for residents. The repercussions are more severe in West Maui, where 911 service has ceased due to the lack of cell coverage. Martin lamented the difficulty of managing evacuation orders without functional cell service, relying solely on landlines.
The situation has not spared Oahu, where power outages, downed lines, and traffic issues persist. Adam Weintraub, communication director for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, reported ongoing challenges on the island.
Strong winds continue to stoke the flames, particularly in Kula, where winds reaching 80 mph have greatly influenced the fire’s speed and movement. These gusts have made helicopter water drops impossible, hindering precise measurement of fire size. Additionally, firefighters confront obstructed roads due to downed trees and power lines in the midst of their battle against the fires.
A high wind warning and red flag warning for hazardous fire weather, issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu, are set to remain in effect through Wednesday. Fire officials on Maui have stressed the unpredictable nature of the wildfires, attributing it to erratic wind patterns, challenging terrain, steep slopes, and decreasing humidity. These factors, combined with the fire’s direction and location, create a complex scenario that hampers predictions of its path and speed. The wind’s ability to carry fire embers great distances, both upwind and downwind, further exacerbates the threat.
The fires have also spread to the Big Island, where officials are closely monitoring two brush fires in North and South Kohala. Evacuations and power outages have impacted these areas, necessitating a response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agency approved a disaster declaration request to offer aid for the wind-driven Kohala Ranch wildfire, which had already consumed over 600 acres of land by the time federal assistance was sought.
Despite immense challenges, efforts to protect homes and communities persist. Mayor Mitch Roth of the Big Island expressed determination in evacuating around 400 homes in the northern part of the island. As the winds make aircraft support impossible, firefighters grapple with the unrelenting flames on both the Big Island and Maui.
The situation remains fluid, and residents across the islands are enduring a trial of unimaginable proportions.
