Over 100 deaths have been confirmed in the ongoing Hawaiian wildfires, and local officials warn that the death toll may double. Drawing from various U.S. media reports, the count stands at 106 fatalities, with an unknown number of individuals missing. Many of these victims were found outdoors, in vehicles, or in water.

Communications have been sporadic, partly because many fleeing the fires left their belongings behind, including mobile phones that may have been destroyed.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green anticipated that the death toll might double, estimating that a more accurate count could take around 10 days. "Every day, we might find 10 to 20 victims," he said. By Tuesday morning, only about 32% of the scorched area had been searched. Maui's Police Chief John Pelletier hoped to extend the search to 85-90% by the weekend.

President Biden vowed to visit Hawaii "soon" and reiterated strong federal support for ongoing recovery efforts. However, some locals are losing faith in government aid and have begun forming their own rescue networks. Concerns about the public alert system's failure are also rising.

 

A Century's Worst Blaze

The National Fire Protection Association confirmed this is the worst fire in over a century, ranking as the fifth deadliest in U.S. history. Starting on August 8, the wildfire rapidly consumed properties, leaving the historic town of Lahaina almost leveled. Governor Green reported over 2,200 structures destroyed or damaged, costing nearly $6 billion.

Analysts anticipate Maui's economic loss could peak at $7 billion, pushing the area into a "short but severe recession." Residential property losses alone total $1.3 billion.

While firefighters have largely contained the Lahaina fire, complete containment doesn't signify the blaze is entirely out. Instead, it means the fire is "fully surrounded."

Amidst the devastation, the U.S. Coast Guard is transitioning from search and rescue to managing potential hazardous materials in the ocean due to the fire. Health risks may linger for residents due to polluted air, water, and debris.

Identifying the deceased has been a challenge. Only three victims have been identified by fingerprints so far. Mobile morgues have been dispatched to assist in body identification.

Electricity is slowly being restored. About 80% of Maui's customers had power by Tuesday, with some schools and public facilities regaining power the day before.

Root Cause Yet Undetermined

While the exact cause of the blaze remains unclear, initial blame was on natural factors. With time, scrutiny on human errors, particularly systemic failures, has increased.

A class-action lawsuit suggests that Maui's wildfire began when power lines, managed by the Hawaii Electric Company, were toppled by strong winds. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the company's part, accusing them of failing to cut power under high wind and fire risk conditions. The company's stock has plummeted by approximately 47%.

If found at fault, the Hawaii Electric Company could face massive compensation claims, reminiscent of PG&E's multibillion-dollar settlements after the 2018 Camp Fire in California.

Local alarm systems have also been criticized. Some Lahaina residents said they received no warnings before the fire swept across highways. Spokesperson Adam Weintraub admitted that around 400 alert networks were not activated on August 8 due to extreme heat.

Other concerns included grounded National Guard helicopters due to wind conditions and reported water shortages in fire hydrants.

Governor Green mentioned long-standing water resource conflicts on Maui. The Hawaii Attorney General's Office announced a comprehensive review of decisions made before, during, and after the wildfire.

Wary survivors on Maui, reluctant to evacuate, have started their own relief networks. A local taxi driver described the situation as chaotic. Soccer coach Kanamu Balinbin set up a relief camp for those who remained.

Remaining residents are concerned about land being bought out cheaply or seized, expressing fears about property speculators. A local resident voiced concerns about post-disaster reconstruction, fearing that "only ordinary residents will suffer in the end."