Lahaina fire may be state’s ‘worst natural disaster,’ governor says

Crews make progress as Lahaina fire 80% contained, Pulehu fire 70% contained

WAILUKU -- The West Maui fire that killed at least 55 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings across Lahaina town is "likely the worst natural disaster in Hawaii state history," Gov. Josh Green said Thursday as the federal government declared a disaster for Maui and promised more aid.

"It's heartbreaking without a doubt," Green said during a news conference in the Maui County Mayor's Conference Room on Thursday afternoon. "What we've seen today has been catastrophic. But we tell you there is going to be a team effort to bring our state back."

Other islands have seen their share of deadly, destructive natural disasters.

In 1960, a tsunami hit the state and claimed 61 lives on Hawaii island, Green said. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai as a Category 4 storm, causing six deaths and destroying more than 14,000 homes, according to the federal government's report on the storm.

The scope of the Lahaina fire is still being gauged as the death toll continues to climb.

"The number has been rising and we will continue to see loss of life," Green said. "We've also seen many hundreds of homes destroyed."

Maui County said the Lahaina fire was about 80 percent contained as of Thursday morning, the first time it had publicly confirmed the containment progress of the fires. Officials had said they were focused on fighting the fires and protecting lives and structures, and that assessment would come later.

The Maui Fire Department's assessment at first light on Thursday showed that 70 percent of the Pulehu fire had been contained after heavy equipment was used to create firebreaks through the night.

A containment percentage for the Upcountry fire, which burned over 1,000 acres and destroyed multiple structures, was pending further assessment.

When asked what specific housing developments and areas had been destroyed in West Maui, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said, "It's all gone. From Puamana to the Chart House."

A helicopter flyover on Thursday with The Maui News and other media outlets showed near-total destruction of homes and businesses lining Front Street and several housing developments mauka of Honoapiilani Highway, but pockets of houses and businesses managed to survive, including some completely surrounded by burned-down structures.

Access to Lahaina remained closed to all but emergency crews as the county continued mass bus evacuations of residents and tourists from Kaanapali.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said that he knew people were anxious to get back to Lahaina and check on their homes. He said people would be allowed to return "just as soon as we can provide the certainty that we have recovered those that have perished.

"We're hoping to find people that might just be injured," he said during the news conference. "But please allow us to complete this process before we allow people back into homes. There's no power, there's no water on that side."

State and county officials also asked for patience in public notifications, saying they were being "conservative" in reporting loss of life and homes.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden approved Hawaii's request for a disaster declaration to send more aid to people impacted by the fires. Green said this would open the door to assistance for people and businesses who suffered losses in the fire.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton Jr. said during the news conference that FEMA can provide direct grants to individuals to help with home repair or replacement and certain uninsured personal property losses, "so keep any receipts you incur during this time." He also encouraged people to reach out to insurance companies.

FEMA can also provide support for public entities and some essential nonprofits to help with rebuilding of public facilities.

He said those who are impacted by the fires can contact FEMA at (800) 621-3362 (FEMA) or visit disasterassistance.gov.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said that federal disaster relief will also allow up to 75 percent reimbursement of eligible firefighting costs under the Fire Management Assistance Grant program.

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.