by Ella Stone
As reported by the Washington Post, a video taken at the Maui Bird Conservation Center around 11pm August 7th, 2023 shows a faulty power line along with reported utility grid faults affected by strong winds from Hurricane Dora. Not long after, flames were seen.
These wildfires are reported to be the most fatal in modern U.S history, having killed more than 100 people, and causing billions of dollars worth of damage. Rescue crews are searching for over 1000 missing people, and the list continues to grow. Washington post shares that families of those missing are writing names on sticky notes along with a plea to contact loved ones if their whereabouts are known.
Hilton Raethel, CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, said hospitals and medical centers are filling up with burn victims. While many are ready to be released, some require more care or support from places where room is scarce, and officials are having trouble finding options. Patients are now being transferred to Oahu for care.
Luz Vargas, a woman living on Maui ran into flames looking for her son (Kenyero Fuentes) who was enjoying his last day of summer at home until it caught fire August 8th. The soles of her flip flops started to melt from the heat and she was held back by emergency responders before she made it to the house. She was told no one was left and to look in the surrounding areas. She checked in with police and called classmates of her son but still no word and for days, and no remains had turned up. On August 10th, two friends of Fuentes’ snuck into the house and found him deceased. PBS News quotes Vargas saying, “All of the furniture in the room was reduced to rubble and the boy was face down on the ground. The family dog was lying just a few inches away.” Vargas is now planning a gathering to honor and celebrate what would’ve been her son’s 15th birthday.
Maui residents are asking people to continue their planned travels to help support businesses and hotels because they could use any assistance they can get. The Aloha Spirit has really come in clutch with neighbors helping and the community all coming together. A Maui homeowner says victims of the fire are staying at her home while she is away along with their 87 year old neighbor they rescued from her home while fleeing the flames. The heart of Maui may be injured but it’s not broken.
beniciapaw.com 