Return to a burned-out home: A few weeks after the fires on Maui, the first residents are allowed to enter parts of the coastal town of Lahaina again. But the reconstruction will still take time. 3,000 buildings were destroyed.
Almost seven weeks after the devastating fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, residents are allowed to enter parts of the coastal town of Lahaina again for the first time. According to the Maui County, residents will gradually be allowed to return to their properties in the largely burned area. Until now, access was only permitted to rescue workers and other helpers.
At the same time, the authorities warned the returnees about possible dangers in the disaster zone, such as toxins in the ruins from melted lead, asbestos or chemicals. They were advised to wear protective clothing.
Regardless of the dangers, returning to the destroyed place means a lot to people: They just have to see the destruction with their own eyes, said local resident Tawni Katayama, according to Hawaii News Now. This is important in order to be able to conclude it.
Almost 100 dead
The forest and bush fires broke out on August 8th in several places on Maui and the neighboring island of Hawaii. Around 3,000 buildings were destroyed on Maui and property damage is estimated at more than five billion dollars. Lahaina is the worst affected city. Around 13,000 people lived in the historic port city, which was also very popular with tourists. The death toll was last given as 97. At one point the authorities had reported 115 deaths. But people are still missing.
Reconstruction will take a long time. Maui’s economy must be rebuilt and residents must be guaranteed jobs, said Hawaii Governor Josh Green. Residents and business owners in the region should receive tens of millions of dollars in support to get back on their feet. Travel restrictions are also to be lifted and western Maui is to be reopened to tourists.