Death toll in Hawaii wildfire rises to 99; hundreds remain uned for

LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHNL/Gray News) - The death toll from the ferocious wildfire in Hawaii that destroyed Lahaina town rose by three to 99, the governor announced Monday night during a briefing.

Gov. Josh Green said hundreds remain uned for as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued to search the hardest-hit areas.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said about 25% of the town has been searched so far. He also announced the county would begin the painful process of releasing the identities of those who have died. The identities of three people have been confirmed so far, though family have reported their own deaths based on eyewitness sightings.

“Right now, we’re at 99 souls, families,” Pelletier said, adding that 20 cadaver dogs are now on the ground with search teams looking for remains. “We’re going to do this right.”

During Monday’s briefing, the governor said work is underway to transition evacuees out of evacuation shelters and into hotels or vacation rentals.

Gov. Green added that approximately 2,000 housing units have been secured, pledging that at least 36 weeks of housing would be provided.

“The scale of destruction is incredible,” Green said, adding the recovery will take time.

Utility crews are working to restore power to West Maui and make repairs to the power grid.

Officials said about 400 of the 750 power poles in West Maui have been damaged or destroyed. Additionally, more than 300 transformers were damaged or destroyed.

With hundreds of people uned for on Maui, federal authorities are still calling their response in Lahaina a search-and-rescue operation.

As the search for missing loved ones continues, federal authorities believe that significant issues with communication may still be prohibiting some people from reconnecting with their families.

The Red Cross is assisting in reunification efforts and the county has established a resource center so people can report loved ones missing and provide DNA samples for possible identification.

A Red Cross spokesperson said the agency has received more than 2,500 calls from people looking for loved ones. About 800 of those cases have been resolved.

Meanwhile, thousands of evacuees remain in shelters on Maui. FEMA says about 3,000 people have ed so far for disaster assistance, which includes cash aid.

FEMA Deanne Criswell, who is on Maui, spoke at the White House briefing Monday to encourage evacuees to seek FEMA disaster assistance.

Assistance checks of $700 are available for evacuees to help cover the costs of food, water and medical supplies. There are also additional aid programs for property loss.

“As residents mourn the loss of their friends, their loved ones, their neighbors, the loss of their homes and their way of life, we want to let them know that we are mourning with them,” Criswell said. “Nothing can prepare them for the emotional toll this severe event has taken on them.”

FEMA has estimated damage from the fire at $5.6 billion. That number is also expected to rise.

The federal agency is also istering the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, which enables survivors to stay in hotels for a limited amount of time as government works to develop a housing plan. FEMA pays for these hotel rooms, so there’s no out of pocket expenses for survivors.