Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, December 14, 2024 75° Today's Paper


Top News

Identities of 5 more Lahaina victims released; death toll remains 114

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Survivors of the Aug. 8 tragedy on Maui take advantage of a Federal Resource Fair at the Ke Alahele Center in Kihei Saturday. The fair was organized, in part, to help those who lost official documents in the recent Lahaina wildfire.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM

Survivors of the Aug. 8 tragedy on Maui take advantage of a Federal Resource Fair at the Ke Alahele Center in Kihei Saturday. The fair was organized, in part, to help those who lost official documents in the recent Lahaina wildfire.

Editors’ Note: Please bookmark this page. This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.

———

UPDATE: 5:15 p.m.

Maui County released the identities of five more victims of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire as the death toll remains at 114, unchanged from Friday night.

The five identified victims, all from Lahaina, are: Conchita Sagudang, 75; Danilo Sagudang, 55; Rodolfo Rocutan, 76; Jonathan Somaoang, 76; and Angelita Vasquez, 88.

The county said that of the 114 confirmed victims, 11 have been identified and their families’ notified, while 16 have been identified but their families have not been located or notified, the county said in its Sunday evening update.

Twelve days after the firestorm, federal, state and county officials still do not have a full account of how many people are missing and who they are.

5 p.m.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are scheduled to arrive on Maui Monday just after 11 a.m.

They will be accompanied by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and plan to meet with federal, state, and local leaders, as well as survivors from the Aug. 8 wildfire catastrophe.

“The president and the first lady will see firsthand the impacts of the devastating wildfires as well as discuss the recovery effort. While in Maui, they will also talk to survivors and thank first responders,” according to a White House news release today.

The Bidens are expected to spend about 6 hours on Maui before returning to Lake Tahoe where they are vacationing this week.

1:57 p.m.

Hawaii County firefighters this afternoon reported the brush fire continues burning in the Kau district at South Point. As a result, road closures will remain in place through Monday, according to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

>> Closed: South Point Road at Ka Lea Road intersection.

>> Open to local traffic only: South Point Road below Kamaoa Road

1:55 p.m.

President Joe Biden said today that he looks forward to meeting first-responders, families and community members Monday when he and first lady Jill Biden visit Maui to see the devastation from the Aug. 8 wildfires.

“My heart, my prayers, and my focus are on the victims of the Maui wildfires and their families,” the president said in a statement released by the White House. “I know how profoundly loss can impact a family and a community and I know nothing can replace the loss of life. I will do everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy. And throughout our efforts, we are focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures, and traditions.”

Biden noted that he signed the major disaster declaration as soon as it was requested by Gov. Josh Green.

“My administration has mobilized a whole-of-government response effort with more than 1,000 federal personnel on the ground in Maui, including nearly 450 search and rescue team members. Jill and I are eager to meet with the brave first responders in Lahaina tomorrow, to spend time with families and community members, and witness firsthand what will be required for the community to recover,” the president said, adding, “We will be here as long as it takes for Maui.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Nearly all of the Lahaina disaster burn area has been searched for victims with the death toll remaining at 114 and an estimated 1,000 people still missing or unaccounted for.

Massive search and relief operations continue today, a day before two possible disruptions to those efforts: heavy rain and a presidential visit.

The Monday forecast for Maui calls for showers mainly starting after noon, possibly heavy at times and continuing into the night, according to the National Weather Service.

“With the possibility of heavy rains and flooding on the horizon, the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Transportation have worked to deploy storm drain inlet protection devices and absorbent booms in several areas impacted by wildfires, including eight storm drain outfalls entering the ocean within the impacted areas of Lahaina town,” Maui County officials said in their Saturday night update. (Read the full county update here.)

Also on Monday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are scheduled to travel to the Valley Isle, tour the devastated area, and meet with survivors and government officials.

The visit comes nearly two weeks after the Aug. 8 firestorm destroyed much of Lahaina, and also burned homes in Upcountry. Biden had said earlier that he would time the trip so it would not hamper the search and relief efforts.

Last week, Maui officials said they were hoping that 100% of the Lahaina disaster burn area would be searched by the end of the weekend. There are now over 40 search teams with cadaver-detecting dogs combing the burned-out rubble of over 2,200 structures in the seaside town with a population of about 13,000.

On Saturday night, Maui police said 85% of the disaster area had been searched, but the fatality count remained unchanged at 114 from Friday night. There were no new positive identifications of the deceased on Saturday, they said.

Twelve days after the firestorm, federal, state and county officials still do not have a full account of how many people are missing and who they are.

Maui Fire Department, meanwhile, reported Saturday night that the Olinda fire was 85% contained after burning about 1,081 acres; the Kula fire was 80% contained with 202 acres scorched; and the Lahaina fire was 89% after burning 2,170 acres.

Officials said 43 residents remain at the island’s emergency shelters, and that the Hannibal Tavares Community Center shelter will close today since no residents are using it.

Relief efforts throughout the island will continue today. On Saturday, U.S. Sen Brian Schatz released a comprehensive online guide to the resources that are available to survivors of the Aug. 8 tragedy. The guide will be regularly updated and is available at schatz.senate.gov/fires.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.