Hawaii Fire Now Deadliest In Modern US History
Crews Search Rubble As Residents Question Why Sirens Didn't Go Off
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Good Morning!
Georgia on our minds this week… as we gear up for yet another possible indictment of former President Trump — complete with text messages and emails allegedly found by state prosecutors. This is related to the efforts by him and his team to overturn 2020 election results in the state. This would mark his fourth criminal indictment in five months.
As always, we’ll have any breaking news on our Instagram feed throughout the day.
Have a good one!
Mosheh, Jill, & Courtney
🎙The Mo News Podcast: Listen to today’s episode to get more information and insight on the top news stories.
🗞 MAUI FIRES NOW DEADLIEST IN 100 YEARS
Hawaii's Lahaina fire is now the deadliest in modern U.S. history. As of late Sunday, there are 93 people confirmed dead and more than 1,000 missing.
SEARCH AND RESCUE UNDERWAY
So far only 3% of the disaster zone has been searched by police and cadaver dogs.
As more bodies are found, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier called on people to submit DNA samples to help identify remains.
He warned that identification would be slow due to how badly many victims are burned. As of Sunday only 2 of the 93 victims have been identified.
As of Friday, 1,418 people were at emergency evacuation shelters across the state and county.
At least 4,500 others still need long-term shelter.
WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE?
Authorities still don’t know and it's looking like it could be months before we get answers. Meanwhile, the state attorney general has opened a “comprehensive review”.
The one thing we do know is the rapid spread of the flames was fueled by low humidity, and strong winds brought on by Hurricane Dora in the Pacific Ocean. To make matters worse, the west coast of the mainland US and Hawaii have also been facing a drought.
BUT RESIDENTS HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS
Residents have been pointing the finger at the state’s utility company Hawaiian Electric.
Four days before the fires began weather forecasters warned authorities that the high winds could knock down lines and trigger fires.
Hawaiian Electric responded with some preemptive steps but stopped short of shutting down the power.
The company has pushed back, saying they followed proper protocol.
Two residents already filed a lawsuit seeking class action Saturday against the state’s electric utility, which faces scrutiny for not shutting down power when dangerous winds were predicted. [Electric companies are typically reluctant to purposely cut power to areas, though it has become more common in recent years in California to help with fire prevention.]
WHAT ABOUT THE FAMED EMERGENCY SIREN SYSTEM?
Maui residents also want to know why their famed emergency warning system never went off. Residents say the sirens were not used to warn people and that officials gave no evacuation notices.
Here’s more about Hawaii’s “All Hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System”—
It includes 400 sires spread throughout the islands
80 of the sirens are in Maui county alone
The siren system is used to warn residents about terrorist events, and natural disasters like tsunamis.
It is the largest, single integrated outdoor siren warning system for public safety in the world.
A spokesman for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said while the sirens were not activated, other alerts, like those sent to cell phones were. Unfortunately, by the time those alerts were sent most residents had lost power and cell service.
HISTORIC TOWN HIT HARD
Lahaina, a town on the western coast of Maui, has been one of the worst hit areas. Officials say about 80% of the area has been destroyed— including about 2,200 homes and buildings.
Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said Sunday that the recovery may take years. Federal officials estimate it would take at least $5.5 billion to rebuild the town of Lahaina.
The town had just under 13,000 residents
2,179 acres have been destroyed so far
FEDERAL AND STATE RESPONSE
Local residents are increasingly frustrated in a response they say is slow and lackluster. They are also struggling to get access to the aid pouring in.
State and federal authorities are coordinating on the ground. On Thursday, the federal government granted Hawaii’s request for a disaster declaration to make more aid accessible. The following groups are now on the ground alongside the state’s own emergency teams:
FEMA
Coast Guard
U.S. Marines
U.S. Department of Transportation
Hawaii’s distance (five hours from the US west coast) and the lack of assets of the state had in place—in advance—are slowing the speed of aid to the thousands now homeless due to the fires.
Maui County has set up donation points and there are online fundraisers in an effort to help those affected. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced a $100 million donation. Oprah Winfrey, a part-time Maui resident, has visited shelters multiple times in recent days to donate items and help volunteers.
⏳ SPEED READ
🚨 NATION
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📌 Raid of small Kansas newspaper raises free press concerns (NY TIMES)
📌 School attendance has plummeted in US, with millions chronically absent since pandemic (VOA NEWS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
📌 Family of American prisoner moved to house arrest in Iran is incredibly nervous about what happens next (CBS NEWS)
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📌 Ukraine’s civilian death toll mounts as Russia strikes Kherson (FINANCIAL TIMES)
📌 Taiwan leader vows not to back down on China during controversial visit to US (GUARDIAN)
📱BUSINESS & TECH
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📌 Apple plans major ‘Watch X’ overhaul for device’s 10-year anniversary (BLOOMBERG)
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📌Ebay recognizes its first union (THE VERGE)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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📌 Idina Menzel still feels weird about playing Lea Michele’s mom on ‘Glee’ (THE WRAP)
📌 Taylor Swift is hero to food banks from coast to coast (CNN)
📌 Hollywood studios preparing new offer for striking writers (BLOOMBERG)
📌 Golfer Phil Mickelson wagered over $1 billion, tried to bet on Ryder Cup (ESPN)
📌 Women’s World Cup Quarterfinals: Teams to Watch (WASHINGTON POST)
🗓 ON THIS DAY: AUGUST 14
1935: FDR signs the Social Security Act into law, guaranteeing income for the unemployed and retirees.
1945: V-J Day. Japan surrenders unconditionally to end World War II
1947: Pakistan became a sovereign state, bringing an end to British rule there.
1985: Michael Jackson outbid Paul McCartney to buy the Beatles music catalog for $47 million.
1989: Sega Genesis gaming system released in US.