Anger as Hawaii wildfire death toll climbs to 80; residents confront devastation
- Authorities said they were opening an investigation into the handling of the fire as congresswoman acknowledges that officials had underestimated the dangers
- Celebrities with Hawaii connections raised awareness of the fire, with Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Jason Momoa and Pierce Brosnan promising to help
The death toll from a horrific wildfire in Hawaii climbed to 80 as residents confronted the devastation and criticisms grew on Saturday over the emergency response.
More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed in the fire, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said, estimating that it would cost some US$5.5 billion to rebuild affected communities.
Hawaiian authorities said they were opening an investigation into the handling of the fire as a congresswoman from the state’s Big Island acknowledged that officials had underestimated the dangers.
In the historic resort city of Lahaina on the island of Maui, resident Anthony Garcia said the fire had gutted the flat he was renting and destroyed all his belongings and memories.
“It took everything, everything! It’s heartbreaking,” the 80-year-old California native, who has lived in Lahaina for three decades, said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
The town of 12,000, once the proud home of the Hawaiian royal family, has been reduced to ruins, its lively hotels and restaurants turned to ashes.
A majestic banyan tree that has been the centre of the community for 150 years has been scarred by the flames, but still stands upright, its branches denuded of green and its sooty trunk transformed into an awkward skeleton.
