Maui fire live updates: Death toll hits 106 as new footage depicts potential cause of wildfires

The death toll from the devastating Maui wildfires was over 100 as of Monday evening, with at least 106 people dead, making them the deadliest wildfire in the US since 1918.

How the wildfires started remains a mystery but security footage shared by a bird sanctuary in Maui may point to some answers.

The video shows, what some believe, to be a tree falling on a power line resulting in a bright flame that continued to burn.

Wildfires, which first broke out on 8 August were fast-moving leaving little time for people in Lahaina to evacuate.

Over 2,000 buildings and homes have been burned and 1,000 people are still missing.

With only 35 per cent of the burned area searched, Hawaii governor Josh Green said he expects the death toll to rise in the coming days.

As recovery efforts are underway, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said they will travel to Maui on Monday, 21 August to meet with local, state and federal officials as well victims.

Key points

• Maui wildfires death toll reaches 106

• First victims of Hawaii wildfires publicly named

• Biden says he will visit Hawaii ‘soon’ amid backlash over response

• How did the Hawaii wildfires start?

How the Maui wildfires became fodder for conspiracy theorists

08:30 , Stuti Mishra

When Joe Biden announced the federal government’s latest aid package to families left homeless by the Maui wildfires on Monday, a seemingly innocuous turn of phrase sent conspiracists into meltdown, writes Bevan Hurley.

As with nearly every traumatic event, from natural disasters to school shootings, fake theories that sprung up immediately online followed a familiar narrative of climate change denial, government cover-up and in some cases antisemitic tropes.

Some suggest the United States military set off the blaze, or that it was part of an “elite land grab” possibly spearheaded by Oprah Winfrey herself.

Read more:

Space lasers and boat burnings: Bizarre Maui wildfire conspiracies

ICYMI: Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home

08:00 , Stuti Mishra

Sixty survivors of the Mauiwildfires have been rescued from a single home that had been cut off since wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island, officials say.

The large group had sheltered in an isolated residence in western Maui that had been without electricity and cell phone coverage since 8 August, Maui County mayor Richard Bisset said.

Read more:

Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home as search enters ninth day

Scenes of utter devastation as Maui residents return to charred remains of historic town

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

Governor Josh Green says 'mistakes happened' in wildfire response but defends efforts

07:00 , Stuti Mishra

From the decision to not use sirens to shortages of available water to fight the fire, state and local officials have faced public criticism over the response to the worst wildfire in US history in over a century.

The chaotic evacuation that saw many trapped in their vehicles on a jammed roadway as flames swept over them also led to several questions.

At a news conference, governor Josh Green was asked about that mistrust and how they can assure the public they will do all that's needed to help the community rebuild.

"Did mistakes happen? Absolutely," the governor said, adding: "You can look here to see who you can trust," referring to the police, fire, emergency and Red Cross officials standing behind him.

Herman Andaya, Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator, defended not sounding the sirens during the fire.

"We were afraid that people would have gone mauka," he said, using the Hawaiian directional term that can mean toward the mountains or inland. "If that was the case then they would have gone into the fire."

"I can't answer why people don't trust people," Maui mayor Richard Bissen said. "The people who were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes — 25 of our firefighters lost their homes. You think they were doing a halfway job?"

Schools start to reopen after devastating fire

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Public schools in Maui started the process of reopening and traffic resumed on a major road in signs of recovery a week after wildfires demolished a historic town and killed at least 110 people.

At least three schools untouched by flames in Lahaina, where entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ash, were still being assessed after sustaining wind damage, Hawaii Department of Education superintendent Keith Hayashi said.

"There's still a lot of work to do, but overall the campuses and classrooms are in good condition structurally, which is encouraging," Mr Hayashi said in a video update. "We know the recovery effort is still in the early stages, and we continue to grieve the many lives lost."

Maui wildfire survivors face new threat from chemical contamination that could linger

06:00 , Ariana Baio

Maui residents have been warned that wildfires burning since 8 August have contaminated water, air and soil and could pose health risks for months to come.

The deadly wildfires have claimed at least 99 lives, and destroyed an estimated 2,700 buildings around Lahaina containing hazardous household wastes, treated wood, paints and other toxic materials, officials said.

The Hawaiian Department of Health has warned that ash and dust from burned homes and businesses could contain deadly toxic chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic and lead.

They also advised residents to wear surgical masks such as N95s and goggles, gloves, and closed-toed shoes to avoid skin contact with ash.

They also warned people to avoid washing ash into drains or using vacuums that will stir up carcinogenic particles into the air.

Horror drone footage shows historic town of Lahaina burned to ground after devastating wildfires

05:00 , Ariana Baio

Chilling drone footage captured over the weekend showed what was left of Lahaina, the historic town that was incinerated when wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui.

All that was left of the razed neighbourhoods were smouldering ruins as some residents returned to survey the destruction.

Andrea Cavallier reports:

Horror drone footage shows Lahaina burned to ground after devastating wildfires

Airbnb.org teams up with Hawaii governor to house victims

04:00 , Ariana Baio

Airbnb.org, a nonprofit organisation that connects victims of crises to temporary housing, has teamed up to help house victims of the Maui wildfires that lost all of their belongings and homes.

The company will provide, free temporary stays for at least 1,000 displaced Maui residents.

“We are so incredibly appreciative of the outpouring of community support for Maui in offering their properities to house those deeply affected by the Maui fires. This is aloha in action,” governor Green said.

Those with homes that have a spare room can sign up to house another person on Airbnb.org or other people can donate on their website.

Are downed power lines possible cause of deadly Maui wildfires?

03:00 , Ariana Baio

Awakened by howling winds that tore through his Maui neighborhood, Shane Treu went out at dawn and saw a wooden power pole suddenly snap with a flash, its sparking, popping line falling to the dry grass below and quickly igniting a row of flames.

He called 911 and then turned on Facebook video to livestream his attempt to fight the blaze in Lahaina, including wetting down his property with a garden hose.

“I heard ‘buzz, buzz,’” the 49-year-old resort worker recounted to The Associated Press. “It was almost like somebody lit a firework. It just ran straight up the hill to a bigger pile of grass and then, with that high wind, that fire was blazing.”

Mr Treu’s video and others captured the early moments of what would become the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century. Now the footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause. Hawaiian Electric Co. faces criticism for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and keeping it on even as dozens of poles began to topple.

A class-action lawsuit has already been filed seeking to hold the company responsible for the deaths of at least 99 people. The suit cites the utility’s own documents showing it was aware that preemptive power shutoffs such as those used in California were an effective strategy to prevent wildfires but never adopted them.

The Associated Press contribute to this report

Spam sends food to Maui amid devastating Hawaii wildfires: ‘We see you and love you’

02:00 , Ariana Baio

Canned meat brand Spam, a beloved Hawaiian staple, has announced its intention to help bring food to the island amid the devastating wildfires.

In a statement shared to Facebook on 10 August, Spam, which is owned by Hormel Foods, announced it is partnering with humanitarian organisation Convoy of Hope to send more of the product to residents that have been affected by the wildfires across the state. The most recent death toll has reached 106 and is expected to rise as only 32 per cent of the burned area of Lahaina has been searched.

Brittany Miller reports:

Spam sends food to Maui amid devastating Hawaii wildfires: ‘We see you and love you’

Mick Fleetwood issues warning over land developers with eye on fire-stricken island of Maui

01:00 , Ariana Baio

Mick Fleetwood has spoken out about the “catastrophic” wildfire disaster that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui last week.

Fleetwood lives in Hawaii, though was out of the state when the fires began. When the news broke, the Fleetwood Mac musician, who owned a restaurant on Maui, immediately flew back to help provide aid and supplies.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “These hills were ablaze and I wasn’t there... I was feeling helpless, and switches were going on and off as to what to do.”

While Fleetwood’s house was not damaged by the fire, his restaurant, Fleetwood’s on Front St, in the town of Lahaina, was completely destroyed.

“It’s an incredible shock for everyone,” Fleetwood said. “The whole town of Lahaina is no more. That in itself is a statement that leads you immediately to the people who lived there.”

“Selfishly, I haven’t lost a family member. I didn’t lose my house. Yeah, it could have happened, but it didn’t happen... I’m really lucky. Now, what the hell can I do? The immediacy is finding people. The immediacy is communicating and knowing who’s here and who’s safe.”

The British drummer went on to implore people to “pay attention” to the situation in Lahaina, and warned of land developers who would seek to profit from the aftermath of the disaster.

“The thought of it becoming some form of playground with no reference to the dignity of that town, to me, would be abhorrent,” he continued.

Watch: Governor Josh Green provide update on Maui wildfires

00:30 , Josh Marcus

Maui wildfire survivor reveals harrowing details of dead babies in ocean

00:00 , Ariana Baio

A man who escaped the Maui fires by spending hours in the ocean has revealed harrowing details of how he survived one of the most terrifying natural disasters the country has seen in years.

Local resident Mike Cicchino, who lived in one of Lahaina’s inland neighbourhoods with his wife, has spoken out about his terrifying escape from the deadly fires last week.

Mr Cicchino was driving to the hardware store last Tuesday for a generator when he was suddenly caught in a desperate fight for his life.

The neighbourhood quickly became engulfed in flames and it was “like a continuous bomb going off,” Mr Cicchino told NewsNation host Natasha Zouves.

Mr Cicchino raced back to his house and gathered his wife and the dogs they were watching and attempted to flee the area. The smoke was so thick and black, they eventually lost some of the dogs, he said.

“Behind us, straight ahead, beside us, everywhere was on fire,” Mr Cicchino said.

Their only option, as they could tell, was to jump into the ocean.

For the next five or six hours, Mr Cicchino said that he and his wife moved back and forth between the ocean and shore. When flames fell from the sky, they ducked beneath the surface of the water.

“There are points where we were starting to pass out and we were about to drown,” Mr Cicchino said. “Then, we got to come to shore. The cars parked next to shore caught on fire or were exploding. It was a leapfrog of fire. Go out, we’re getting burned. Come in, go out. Everywhere, we were getting burned or we couldn’t breathe.”

Mr Cicchino broke down as he recounted seeing death unfold before his eyes while desperately trying to keep himself and his wife above water.

They saw several bodies slumped against a wall at the shoreline, he said.

Other people in the ocean desperately clung to their babies and small children as the water whipped them around for hours. When Mr Cicchino later returned with the US Coast Guard to help pull people out of the water, the babies were gone.

“I saw babies out there that I never saw again,” Mr Cicchino said, his voice breaking. “When I came back, when I was doing a headcount of the kids, the babies weren’t there anymore.”

How flammable grasses fueled Maui’s wildfires

23:30 , Josh Marcus

Highly flammable grass is believed to have fuelled the rapid spread of the deadly wildfires in Maui that have killed at least 106 people and destroyed the island’s historic town of Lahaina.

Experts say the invasive, non-native grassland that covers a quarter of the Hawaii islands has been a major fire risk they have been warning about for years.

The types of grass, including guinea grass, molasses grass and buffel grass, originated in Africa but were brought to Hawaii for livestock because it proved drought-resistant.

“These grasses are highly aggressive, grow very fast and are highly flammable,” Melissa Chimera, who coordinates the Pacific Fire Exchange, a Hawaii-based project sharing fire science among Pacific island governments, told The New York Times.

Andrea Cavallier reports.

Highly flammable grass in Hawaii fueled spread of deadly Maui wildfires, experts say

Maui wildfire survivors face new threat from chemical contamination that could linger for months

23:00 , Ariana Baio

Maui residents have been warned that wildfires burning since 8 August have contaminated water, air and soil and could pose health risks for months to come.

The deadly wildfires have claimed at least 99 lives, and destroyed an estimated 2,700 buildings around Lahaina containing hazardous household wastes, treated wood, paints and other toxic materials, officials said.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Maui wildfire survivors face new threat from chemical contamination

Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home as search enters ninth day

22:31 , Josh Marcus

Sixty survivors of the Maui wildfires have been rescued from a single home that had been cut off since wildfires swept through the Hawaiian island, officials say.

The large group had sheltered in an isolated residence in western Maui that had been without electricity and cell phone coverage since 8 August, Maui County mayor Richard Bisset said.

Mr Bisset revealed details of the extraordinary rescue as the death toll from the deadly wildfires rose to 106.

“We discovered yesterday that there was a family that was housing 60 people at a home on the west side, and many of those folks were unaccounted for, and they’ve now been reunited with their families,” Mr Bisset said.

Bevan Hurley reports on this shocking development.

Sixty survivors found alive sheltering in Maui home as search enters ninth day

Federal agencies provide aide and packages to Hawaii victims

22:00 , Ariana Baio

Several US government agencies have compiled packages and aid to people in Hawaii who were affected by the wildfires.

“Through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), deployed 25 additional experts from the National Disaster Medical System’s (NDMS) Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) and a Victim Identification Center (VIC) Team to Hawaii to augment state and local mortuary resources in the wildfire response.”

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also announced a package of waivers to accelerate residents’ recovery.

This includes suspending a Community Development Block Grant, so more funding can be given, providing flexibility in HOME INvestment Partnerships, extending the period of time that individuals can receive temporary assistance and more.

Wildfires in California: Evacuations ordered as Head wildfire spreads

21:30 , Ariana Baio

An intensifying wildfire in northern California has forced locals to evacuate a nearby town.

Some residents of Siskiyou County, California — just south of Hamburg and the state’s northern border — were ordered to flee their homes as the Head Fire in the nearby Klamath National Forest began threatening the region. The fire was estimated to cover between 3,000 and 4,000 acres, according to local forest authorities.

“The #HeadFire has increased in intensity and rate of spread and has been spotted across the Klamath River due to thunderstorm downdrafts in the area,” officials wrote on Facebook just before 8pm PST on Tuesday.

“The evacuation warning has been elevated to an order. PLEASE LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY.”

Graig Graziosi reports:

Evacuations ordered as Head wildfire spreads in northern California

Watch: Maui survivor reveals harrowing details of dead babies in the ocean

21:00 , Ariana Baio

Invasive grasses may have contributed to rapid wildfire spread

20:30 , Ariana Baio

An invasive grass covering approximately 25 per cent of the land in the Hawaii islands is thought to have contributed to the outrageous wildfires that swept across parts of Maui last week.

The grasses, which are fast-growing, combustible vegetation, made Hawaii “more vulnerable to these destructive fires,” a 2021 report said.

The species of grass include fountaingrass and Guinea grass which were introduced to feed cattle and provide ornamentation.

The report says during the wet season, the grasses grow tall very quickly. But then during the dry season in Hawaii, which it is currently, the grasses turn from green to yellow to brown “pretty quickly.”

Voices: Biden got a ‘3am phone call’ moment on Hawaii – he swung and he missed

20:00 , Ariana Baio

“Joe Biden’s “3am phone call” moment happened this weekend, at around 7pm on a Sunday evening.

The president and first lady were enjoying a weekend of waves and sun in Mr Biden’s favourite beach getaway, Rehoboth Beach, when he was asked by ever-present pool reporters for his thoughts on the unfolding devastation in Maui, where wildfires have left dozens confirmed dead and more missing.

“Will you come talk about the Hawaii response Mr President?” shouted a reporter from the ropeline.

“No comment,” Mr Biden responded quickly.

It was a quick, offhanded remark. And one that immediately sparked its own news cycle, as Republicans and other critics jumped on him to insist that the president was unconcerned about the death and destruction.”

John Bowden writes:

Biden got a '3am phone call' moment on Hawaii – he swung and he missed

Who are the victims of the Maui wildfires?

19:35 , Ariana Baio

The US Department of Health and Human Services deployed a team of coroners, pathologists and technicians along with exam tables, X-ray units and other equipment to identify victims and process remains, said Jonathan Greene, the agency’s deputy assistant secretary for response.

“It’s going to be a very, very difficult mission,” Greene said. “And patience will be incredibly important because of the number of victims.”

Maui mayor Richard Bissen offered his “deepest condolences” to the families who have received news about their loved ones.

Maui wildfire victims include music-loving local and family of four

Watch: Falling tree striking power line ahead of Maui wildfires

19:00 , Ariana Baio

Karine Jean-Pierre defends Joe Biden’s efforts in Hawaii on CNN

18:30 , Ariana Baio

New video reveals possible cause of Maui wildfires

18:00 , Ariana Baio

Devastating wildfires that have claimed more than a hundred lives and destroyed swaths of the Hawaiian island of Maui may have been caused by a tree falling on power lines.

Security video shared by a bird sanctuary in Maui captured a flash of light around 11 p.m. local time on August 7, followed by a bright flame that continued to burn.

The new footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause of the wildfires, The Associated Press reported.

1,000 still missing in Maui as survivor reveals harrowing details of dead babies in ocean

17:40 , Ariana Baio

A man who escaped the Maui fires by spending hours in the ocean has revealed harrowing details of how he survived one of the most terrifying natural disasters the country has seen in years.

Local resident Mike Cicchino, who lived in one of Lahaina’s inland neighbourhoods with his wife, has spoken out about his terrifying escape from the deadly fires last week.

Mr Cicchino was driving to the hardware store last Tuesday for a generator when he was suddenly caught in a desperate fight for his life.

Andrea Cavallier reports:

1,000 still missing in Maui as survivor reveals account of dead babies in ocean

Lahaina bypass road opens today

17:20 , Ariana Baio

Spam sends food to Maui: ‘We see you and love you’

17:00 , Ariana Baio

Canned meat brand Spam, a beloved Hawaiian staple, has announced its intention to help bring food to the island amid the devastating wildfires.

In a statement shared to Facebook on 10 August, Spam, which is owned by Hormel Foods, announced it is partnering with humanitarian organisation Convoy of Hope to send more of the product to residents that have been affected by the wildfires across the state.

We’ve been at a loss for words seeing the devastation that is happening on Maui,” the canned meat’s statement on Facebook began. “To our ‘ohana on Maui, we see you and love you. We’ve been working with our trusted partners on how we can help.

Fire containment update

16:30 , Ariana Baio

The County of Maui posted on Facebook updating people on their efforts to contain the fires in Maui.

The fire in Upcounty/Kula which was initially reported on 8 August is 75 per cent contained as of Tuesday.

“Hot spots in gulches, forests and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make establishment of complete control lines difficult,” the County wrote.

The Lahaina fire is 85 per cent contained. Fire crews are working to address flareups.

The Pulehu/Kihei fire is 100 per cent contained. The County of Maui said that while the fire is contained, it is not extinguished.

Dramatic video shows family narrowly escaping Maui wildfires by fleeing to the ocean

16:00 , Josh Marcus

A Maui family is sharing their experience of narrowly escaping wildfires that killed at least 99 people last week by jumping into the waters off Lahaina.

Noah Tomkinson, 19, and his family were fleeing the fires in their car on Tuesday when they became stuck in a traffic jam as numerous residents sought to escape the rapidly approaching blaze.

“It was starting to shoot embers down on the grass and light the very dry grass on fire,” he told CNN Monday.

“We had fires on both sides of our car.”

That’s when Noah, his brother Milo, 13, and their mother jumped into the ocean.

Read more:

Dramatic video shows family narrowly escaping Maui wildfires by fleeing to the ocean

Conspiracy theorists are claiming a 'space laser beam' started the Hawaii wildfires

15:40 , Ariana Baio

Conspiracy theorists have managed to go viral after spreading false claims that the devastating wildfires that have torn through the island of Maui in Hawaii were started by a ‘space laser.’

Over 100 people have died as a result of the fires making it the deadliest in modern US history and destroying most of the beautiful island’s natural habitat.

Yet, whenever the climate is related to a tragic story it doesn’t take long for conspiracy theorists to try and spin the narrative to make others think what they are seeing isn’t really about the state of the planet.

Conspiracy theorists are claiming a 'space laser' started the Hawaii wildfires

Only five of 106 victims identified

15:20 , Ariana Baio

Hawaii governor Josh Green is asking those with missing family in Maui, Hawaii to submit a DNA test to help identify the victims.

Just five of the 106 victims that have been found thus far have been identified. Due to the severe burns that many people faced during the deadly wildfires, many of the remains are unrecognisable.

“We’re asking all of our loved friends and family in the area who have any concern to go get swabbed at the family support center so that we can match people genetically,” Mr Green said on The Source with Kaitlin Collins.

Watch: Drone footage shows aftermath of devastating Lahaina wildfires

15:00 , Ariana Baio

Joe Biden will visit Hawaii on Monday 21 August

14:40 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will visit Maui, Hawaii on Monday 21 August to meet with first responders, survivors and officials– nearly two weeks after devastating wildfires ravaged parts of the island.

Days after Mr Biden faced backlash from individuals who believed the President did not have enough of a public-facing approach to addressing the wildfires, the White House announced the trip.

“In Maui, the President and First Lady will be welcomed by state and local leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating loss of life and land that has occurred on the island, as well as discuss the next steps in the recovery efforts,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement.

In their statement, the White House said the Mr Biden was in close contact with Hawaii governor Josh Green, senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanna Criswell who said they expected “to be at a stage early next week to allow for a presidential visit.”

WATCH: K9 teams sift through ashes in desperate search for missing

14:20 , Rachel Sharp

Hawaii wildfires: K9 teams sift through ashes in desperate search for missing

Map of Maui wildfires

14:00 , Ariana Baio

Biden says he will visit Hawaii ‘soon’ amid backlash over response

13:20 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden said he is working with the government to find a time to visit Hawaii after the devastating wildfires – following blowback over his previous comments about the disaster.

Ariana Baio reports:

Biden says he will visit Hawaii ‘soon’ amid backlash over response

Lahaina local helped California family survive wildfires

13:00 , Ariana Baio

Jubee Bedoya, a man living in Lahina, helped a family of seven from Fresno, California survive the wildfires in Maui when the group ran into the ocean to escape the flames.

Mr Bedoya and the family held onto a piece of plywood while wadding in the ocean for two to three hours, according to NBC Los Angeles.

During that time, the family’s two-year-old child held onto Mr Bedoya’s neck.

While speaking with relatives of the family, Mr Bedoya said the little boy “was hanging on so tight to my neck. He was so terrified. I’m so happy they got out alive.”

Maui police chief says ‘dust and debris’ is victims’ remains

12:40 , Rachel Sharp

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier spoke in harrowing detail about the state of the remains of victims of the wildfires as he revealed that the “dust and debris” is likely locals and residents who didn’t make it out of the blaze.

Chief Pelletier told NBC’s “TODAY” show on Tuesday that the search for victims was not only slow but is also taking its toll on the search and rescue teams.

“I don’t think anybody is prepared to have this type of situation,” he said.

“And let’s realise this. When folks are shifting through burn debris, and dust is on you, it’s not just dust on you.

“It’s our dead. And I don’t think anybody really is used to that when they go home and they take off the uniform. And it’s really somber to think about that.”

Read: White House releases latest update from FEMA

12:20 , Rachel Sharp

FEMA continues to work closely in Hawaii with state, county and federal partners to aid active response efforts and to help survivors jumpstart their recovery. More than 190 search and rescue team members and over 380 FEMA employees are deployed to assist Hawaii residents in their greatest time of need, including 100 Disaster Survivor Assistance staff on Maui to help survivors register for assistance and identify and report any critical needs.

In the coming days, we will set up a joint disaster recovery center where survivors can speak to FEMA specialists, get in touch with voluntary organizations and have access to other federal and state resources.

To meet survivors’ immediate needs, the state of Hawaii and FEMA activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) and Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) programs for wildfire survivors in Maui County. These programs provide relief by supplying shelter (TSA), or money to cover urgent needs like food, water or medical supplies (CNA). Those who have already applied for disaster assistance will be notified of their eligibility by the method of communication they selected when they applied for assistance.

Hawaii Governor Green and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) launched the Hawaii Fire Relief Housing program aimed at immediately connecting Maui residents affected by the recent wildfires with property owners with vacant housing. Find program application forms on HHFDC’s website.

FEMA encourages Maui residents affected by the wildfires to register for disaster assistance. People with limited phone and internet access can register with FEMA staff in person at shelters. Others can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

Michelle Obama says her ‘heart breaks’ for victims of the wildfires

12:00 , Ariana Baio

‘The way my jaw dropped’: Tourist criticised for Hawaii vacation post during Maui wildfire crisis

11:40 , Rachel Sharp

As the death toll from the Hawaii wildfires tops 100 people, one woman decided to showcase her vacation to the island in a now-private video on TikTok.

In the video, user Yvette Mares showed off footage from her Hawaii vacation as an upbeat song called “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” played in the background, according to the Daily Dot.

The track clearly contrasted the sombre tone currently associated with the state of Hawaii, as governor Josh Green recently announced that the number of fatalities may continue to increase by 10 to 20 people per day, while officials continue to search for survivors and victims.

Since the video has been posted, Mares has received backlash online for her lack of awareness and poor timing of the TikTok post. Although her account is now private, that has not stopped others from making sure the video didn’t go unnoticed.

Read the full story here:

Tourist criticised for Hawaii vacation post during Maui wildfire crisis

Matthew McConaughey and son announce Maui emergency fund on Instagram

11:20 , Rachel Sharp

Matthew McConaughey and his son Levi announced an Maui emergency fund in an Instagram video.

The Hollywood star is supporting the Baby2Baby’s Disaster Relief & Emergency Response program, which is sending children’s basic essentials including diapers, wipes, hygiene items, formula, baby food, and water to those in need.

McConaughey said he is funding a plane “illed with hundreds of thousands more emergency supplies that will have an immediate impact on children and families on Maui”.

“Grateful we can help get these critical supplies to children and families who need it,” he said in the video.

Maui residents had just minutes to flee from wildfires. Now they’re desperately searching for pets left behind

11:00 , Ariana Baio

When wildfires swept through Lahaina without warning last Tuesday, residents were forced to grab what they could and flee.

At least 96 residents have been killed, more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed, and an estimated 1,000 people remain unaccounted for.

Hundreds of families who escaped the inferno have begun the desperate task of searching for pets that were left behind in the chaos.

Facebook groups have been inundated with photos of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and exotic birds, and many remain missing nearly one week on from the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.

“I am absolutely heartbroken,” one pet owner wrote on the Lost & Found Animals of Maui Fires group along with photos of her cats Lily Jupiter, Puma and Tiger.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Maui residents desperately search for pets left behind as wildfires swept in

First victims of Hawaii wildfires publicly named

10:40 , Rachel Sharp

Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, were the first victims publicly named by authorities to have perished in the Maui wildfires.

Officials announced the victims’ names on Monday.

Another three victims have been identified, but officials are waiting to notify their families before releasing the names.

Family members are urged to come forward with DNA samples to help locate and identify missing relatives.

To provide DNA samples to assist in identification, family members can go to the Family Assistance Center, which is open daily from 10am to 8pm at the Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu St, Maui County said in an update.

Watch: Joe Biden says he and Jill Biden will visit Hawaii

10:00 , Ariana Baio