Officials confirmed on Monday that at least 99 people have died in the Maui fires in Hawaii, with state leaders outlining ongoing efforts and the latest figures. Only about a quarter of the affected area has been saved so far, and responders continue to work through charred debris and obstructed routes as relief efforts expand. During a public briefing, Governor Josh Green acknowledged the gravity of the situation and apologized for the pace of rescue operations, but he pledged that the response would speed up in the days ahead. — Reuters
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier reported that rescuers have completed sweeps of roughly 25% of Lahaina, the town hardest hit by the fires. Authorities also announced that names of the deceased will be released gradually, beginning as families are notified in advance. — Reuters
Green noted that the total death toll is expected to rise as rescue work continues over the coming days, aided by approximately 20 search dogs and personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Officials from FEMA and the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) estimated on Saturday that rebuilding Lahaina could cost at least 5.52 billion dollars, underscoring the immense scale of the rebuilding challenge ahead. — Reuters
The fires have been described as the deadliest disaster in the United States this century, with hundreds still unaccounted for as search and recovery operations persist throughout the region. As communities assess the damage, state and federal agencies are coordinating housing, healthcare, and long-term recovery resources for affected residents and business owners. — Reuters