August 13, 2023 Maui wildfire news

By Amir Vera, Matt Meyer and Helen Regan, CNN

Updated 5:40 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

What we covered

The official death toll from the wildfires in Maui thas reached 96 and there are warnings it could rise further. The blaze that devastated the historic town of Lahaina is now the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years, officials said.
US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii told CNN she won't make "any excuses" for the tragedy as the state launches a formal review of its emergency response, including why it did not activate an extensive warning siren system.
With communications down around the island, some families are still anxiously waiting to hear from residents. But there are stories of hope: A grandfather finally reached his family Sunday, three days after they last heard from him.
Here's how to help victims of the wildfires in Hawaii.
In an area with limited connectivity? Get the latest news here.

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2:19 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

As Maui reels from deadly wildfires, it's unclear how many people remain missing

From CNN's Nouran Salahieh

Destroyed homes and cars are seen in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 13. Rick Bowmer/AP

Crews in West Maui are continuing the heart-wrenching work of sifting through the ashes of what used to be homes and beloved landmarks wiped out by the deadliest US wildfire in more than 100 years.

So far, at least 93 deaths have been confirmed and there’s still people unaccounted for as search teams look for remains in decimated neighborhoods.

The devastation is what’s left behind after multiple, simultaneous wildfires began spreading erratically Tuesday, suddenly jumping onto and engulfing homes, forcing harrowing escapes and displacing thousands.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Saturday said it was premature to assign even an approximate dollar amount to the damage done on Maui, the governor estimated “the losses approach $6 billion.”

Even as authorities take stock of the losses and work gets underway to identify lost loved ones, the firefight hasn’t stopped.

Lahaina is hardest hit: Around 2,200 structures have been destroyed or damaged by the fires in western Maui, where the hard-hit historic town of Lahaina is located, according to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green. About 86% of the structures were residential, he added. The devastation has displaced thousands of people. As of Friday night, a total of 1,418 people were at emergency evacuation shelters, according to Maui County officials.
Identifying all the victims won't be easy: Of the dozens found dead across the burn area, only two people had been identified as of Saturday, according to Maui County. “The remains we’re finding is through a fire that melted metal. We have to do rapid DNA to identify everyone,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said Saturday. He urged those with missing family members to contact authorities to coordinate a DNA test to assist in the identification process.
People are still missing: As searches of the burned ruins continue, officials warn they do not know exactly how many people are still missing in the torched areas. As of Saturday night, just 3% of the fire zone had been searched with cadaver dogs, Pelletier said, adding, “None of us really know the size of it yet.” While some have turned up in shelters, there are still families desperately searching for loved ones.

Read more here.

2:07 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

Power restored to more than 60% of Hawaiian Electric customers, company says

From CNN's Michelle Watson

Power has been restored to more than 60% of Hawaiian Electric customers, the company said in a news release Sunday.

"Hawaiian Electric restoration crews have brought back online more than 60% of customers who have been without electricity since Tuesday and are continuing work to restore approximately 5,000 customers in West Maui and Upcountry," the release said.

Hawaiian Electric warned customers to expect some intermittent outages once the power comes back on.

"All Maui customers are asked to be mindful of their use of electricity and conserve by limiting non-essential uses," the company said.

At height of the outage, more than 14,000 customers were without power, CNN previously reported.

1:59 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

Most schools on Maui to begin reopening Monday but West Maui remains closed

From CNN’s Amanda Jackson

School buses used as emergency shuttles are seen at the Maui airport in Kahului, Hawaii, on August 10. Claire Rush/AP

Staff at most of Maui’s public schools will return to campus Monday for the first time since wildfires devastated the island.

Hawaii's Department of Education is beginning phased reopenings but schools in West Maui and the King Kekaulike High in Upcountry will remain closed.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the strength, leadership and courage you’ve shown throughout this tragedy that has shaken Lāhainā, our Maui communities and all of Hawai‘i,” said Superintendent Keith Hayashi in a letter to staff and students Sunday. “The loss you are experiencing is unimaginable — the loss of loved ones, of homes and neighborhoods, of a school and a community.”

Staff at public schools in Upcountry, South and Central Maui will report to campus on Monday with students returning Wednesday.

“This staggered schedule will allow school teams time to assess damage and staffing capacity to ensure a safe reopening,” the education department said in a news release Friday.

Hayashi said one school on Front Street in Lahaina was "damaged beyond repair."

"While assessments are being made about the closed campuses, we are looking at other options for our students who remain in West Maui including our King Kamehameha III Elementary students," Hayashi said.

With West Maui schools closed, Hawaii's education department and Hayashi encouraged displaced families to reenroll their students in the nearest school, even temporarily.

“When children are in school, we can provide support including meals and mental health support,” Hayashi said.

1:00 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

It's evening in Hawaii. Here's the latest on the devastating Maui wildfires

From CNN staff

Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 12. Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty Images

The official death toll from the wildfires on Maui remains at 93, but there are warnings it could rise further. The blaze that devastated the historic town of Lahaina is now the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years, officials said.

If you are just joining us, here's the latest:

Worst in a century: According to research from the National Fire Protection Association, the fire in Lahaina is the fifth deadliest in US history and the worst since the 1918 Cloquet fire in Minnesota. But officials warn the death toll is expected to rise further. “None of us really know the size of it yet,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said.
Containing the flames: Firefighters have made some progress on the three largest wildfires that crews have been combating on Maui. The deadly fire in hard-hit Lahaina is 85% contained, while the Upcountry-Kula fire is 60% contained. The Pulehu-Kihei fire remains 100% contained but is not yet extinguished, according to the Maui County government.
Legal action filed: A lawsuit filed against Hawaii’s main electric provider alleges that electrified power lines blown over by high winds during Hurricane Dora led to the spread of the deadly Lahaina wildfire. The complaint was filed by three law firms on behalf of a couple living in Lahaina against Hawaiian Electric Industries and three subsidiaries, including the power utility that services Maui. The new lawsuit does not state exactly how the power lines allegedly ignited the wildfire and an official cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
Speed of wildfire: The Lahaina wildfire on Maui traveled at an extraordinary speed of "one mile every minute," Hawaii's governor said Sunday. "When the winds rose up... fires spread rapidly,” Gov. Josh Green said.
Housing for displaced: Green said work is being ramped up to get displaced Lahaina residents into temporary residences, with more than 500 hotel rooms obtained with government subsidies. The governor said rental homes, including with Airbnb, will also be employed to help evacuees find temporary homes. The fires have displaced thousands of people. More than 1,400 people are at emergency evacuation shelters, according to Maui County officials.
Disaster response under review: US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii told CNN she won't make "any excuses" for the tragedy as the state launches a formal review of its emergency response, including why it did not activate an extensive warning siren system. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez will lead the review of officials’ response to the catastrophic wildfires. “My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review,” Lopez said in a statement.

12:52 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

Access placards will be distributed "to expedite travel" in West Maui, police say

From CNN's Norma Galeana

Access placards will be distributed Monday "to expedite travel" in West Maui, the police department said on Facebook Sunday.

The placards will "ensure efficient traffic management and prioritize the safety of all road users," the post said.

"Residents must show proof of residency through a driverʻs license or state identification card with a West Maui address. Identification cards without a street address will require an accompanying utility bill as proof of West Maui residency."

Police said by 5 p.m. local time Tuesday, "no entrance into West Maui will be allowed without a placard."

12:18 a.m. ET, August 14, 2023

Lawsuit alleges electric power lines blown over during high winds led to wildfire spread

From CNN’s Andy Rose

The Hawaiian Electric Industries logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

A lawsuit filed against Hawaii’s main electric provider alleges that electrified power lines blown over by high winds during Hurricane Dora led to the spread of the deadly Lahaina wildfire.

The complaint was filed Saturday by three law firms on behalf of a couple living in Lahaina against Hawaiian Electric Industries and three subsidiaries, including the power utility that services Maui.

Attorneys are asking a judge to certify the case as a class action suit covering everyone who lost property or was physically hurt in the Lahaina fire.

“These power lines foreseeably ignited the fast-moving, deadly, and destructive Lahaina Fire, which destroyed homes, businesses, churches, schools, and historic cultural sites,” the lawsuit alleges.

Wildfire cause remains unknown: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged Thursday that power lines that were “still energized” had fallen on the roads, but the new lawsuit does not state exactly how the power lines allegedly ignited the wildfire. An official cause of the wildfire has not yet been determined.

The fires on Maui started spreading widely Tuesday — fueled in part by violent winds from Hurricane Dora, churning more than 800 miles away — decimating homes and businesses, launching urgent rescue missions, knocking out power and communication services, and even forcing some people into the ocean to avoid being burned.

The allegations: The suit alleges that Hawaiian Electric Industries "chose not to deenergize their power lines during the High Wind Watch and Red Flag Warning conditions for Maui before the Lahaina Fire started," despite knowing the risks.

The company and subsidiaries "also chose not to deenergize their power lines after they knew some poles and lines had fallen and were in contact with the vegetation or the ground," the suit alleges.

Utility's response: Hawaiian Electric vice president Jim Kelly told CNN Sunday via email that, "as has always been our policy, we don’t comment on pending litigation.”

“Our immediate focus is on supporting emergency response efforts on Maui and restoring power for our customers and communities as quickly as possible. At this early stage, the cause of the fire has not been determined and we will work with the state and county as they conduct their review," Kelly said.

Government officials in Hawaii repeatedly declined to say last week what could have been done to prevent the wildfire spread, saying that will be determined by a “comprehensive review” ordered by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.

This post has been updated with additional information.

10:16 p.m. ET, August 13, 2023

Lahaina wildfire traveled "1 mile per minute," governor says

From CNN’s Andy Rose

Gov. Josh Green speaks in a video statement in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 13, 2023. Hawaii Governor's Office

The Lahaina wildfire that has killed at least 93 people on Maui traveled at an extraordinary speed, Hawaii's governor said Sunday.

“When the winds rose up — winds gusting as high as 81 miles per hour — fires spread rapidly,” Gov. Josh Green said in a video statement.
“We believe between 60 miles per hour and 81 miles per hour across that part of the island, and that meant that fire traveled one mile every minute.”

The governor said work is being ramped up to get displaced Lahaina residents into temporary residences, with more than 500 hotel rooms obtained with government subsidies.

“Some of the first individuals will go into hotels today, and then large numbers tomorrow and the days subsequent to that,” Green said.

The governor said rental homes will also be employed to help evacuees find temporary homes.

“Airbnb is going to offer us hundreds of typically short-term rentals in a longer term capacity, so we can put people into a place for months," he said.

10:13 p.m. ET, August 13, 2023

Here's the latest update on the Maui wildfires

From CNN's Andy Rose

The Maui County government issued an update on the state of the wildfires on Maui, the deadliest the US has seen in more than 100 years.

The official death toll remains at 93, but there are warnings it could rise further.

Here's where things stand as of 3 p.m. local time:

Lahaina fire: The fire that has devastated Lahaina is 85% contained and is estimated to stretch across 2,170 acres. The search and recovery effort is ongoing.
Upcountry/Kula fire: The fire is now 60% contained and is estimated to stretch across 678 acres. Hot spots in gulches and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make this a difficult fire to contain, the county said.
Pulehu/Kihei fire: The fire remains 100% contained, the county said.
Puʻukoliʻi/Kaanapali fire: Initially reported on August 11, the fire was extinguished on August 12.

Some context: When a fire is 100% contained, it means firefighters have fully surrounded its perimeter. Only once a fire is declared “extinguished,” then it’s over, according to the Maui County government.