2023-08-17 10:57:00
At least three schools left untouched by the fire in Lahaina — where entire neighborhoods burned to the ground — were still being assessed after suffering wind damage, Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. Classes can be resumed once they are considered safe.
“There is still a lot to do, but overall the campuses and classrooms are in good structural condition, which is encouraging,” Hayashi said in a video. “We know that recovery efforts are still in the early stages, and we continue to mourn the loss of so many lives.”
In other parts of Maui, crews were clearing ash and debris from schools, and testing air and water quality for toxins.
Displaced students who signed up can have access to services such as lunches, socialization and therapy, Hayashi noted. The Department of Education also offered psychological support for children, family members and staff members.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened its first disaster recovery center on Maui, “an important first step” in helping residents get information about assistance, said its administrator, Deanne Criswell. They can also go to get updates on their support requests.
Criswell said he will accompany President Joe Biden during his scheduled visit to Maui next Monday to assess the damage and “provide hope.”
“Some of the scenes are too strong, just from a human perspective,” Gov. Josh Green told Hawaii News Now.
Just over 25% of Lahaina’s 13,000 residents are under the age of 18, according to Census Reporter, an organization that analyzes federal census data. Another 10% are 71 years or older.
A musician who played at hotels and schools in Lahaina
The official death toll as of Thursday morning was 110, although it is feared that there are many more as it is the deadliest forest fire in the US in more than 100 years.
Few have been identified, but it is already known that the dead included a family of four and a woman nearing retirement.
Also Buddy Jantoc, a 79-year-old man who lived in a nursing home and who traveled the world as a musician as a young man.
The 79-year-old was living in the Hale Mahaolu Eono senior housing complex when fires swept through the city of Lahaina, KITV-TV reported Tuesday. Her family learned from police that her remains were among dozens found so far.
The family has also started a Facebook group dedicated to Jantoc, and his niece Kawehi Paio taught the AP that music was central to her uncle’s life. She recalled how he was a fixture playing music at local hotels and at various schools that teach hula dancing.
“My uncle was known for playing music around the world and on the island of Maui for over 30 years,” he said, describing his home as something like a music store with guitars, drums and photos of him everywhere.
Paio described his uncle as “happy and carefree” and “always smiling.”
On the Facebook page, friends and family posted photos and videos of various local performances Jantoc participated in.
“Buddy was a wonderful neighbor and remembered wishing me a happy birthday for many years. He concerned me very much to learn that he was missing and I was very saddened to hear this news, ”Julie LaCroix posted on the Facebook page. “Blessings on your ohana Buddy, you touched many lives and I see you are well loved.”
A free-spirited woman who dreamed of retirement
All Donna Hartley could think of as television footage showed the fires engulfing the city of Lahaina was her sister. But Carole Hartley wasn’t answering her phone.
“I told my husband that if this burned down like this, Carole’s house would be gone,” the 62-year-old said.
Two days later, her sister’s partner called and the news was not good. She told him that he had been in the front yard loading his and Carole Hartley’s car into the backyard, possibly checking on a tenant, when the wind fanned the flames. The car exploded.
After Carole’s partner assembled a team of friends for a search party, Donna Hartley heard the news Saturday night that her sister’s remains, including her watch, had been found. She is still awaiting official DNA verification from a free-spirited woman who lived in Lahaina for 36 years.
“Her birthday was August 28 and she was going to be 61 years old,” Donna Hartley recounted. “She used to tell me lately… one more year, sister, and I’m retiring.” Donna Hartley said that friends of hers at her home in Grand Bay, Alabama, plan to hold a memorial for Carole.
The loss of a family
A family of four — Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, Salote Takafua and their son, Tony Takafua — died while trying to flee the flames. His remains were found Thursday in a burned-out car near his home.
“The magnitude of our pain is indescribable,” said a statement from the relatives.
Lylas Kanemoto, who knew the Tone family, confirmed the devastating news on Sunday.
“At least we have closure for them, but the loss and heartbreak is unbearable for many. We as a community have to embrace each other and support our families, friends and our community to the best of our ability,” Kanemoto told the AP via text message on Sunday.
At the time of writing the message, Kanemoto was still waiting for news about his cousin, Glen Yoshino, who was still missing.
“I’m afraid he’s gone because we haven’t heard from him and he should have already found a way to contact his family,” Kanemoto said. “We hope for the best, but we prepare for the worst.”
Between devastation and pain: Maui residents return to their homes destroyed by fire
“A very good man”
Retired Fire Captain Geoff Bogar and his friend of 35 years Franklin Trejos initially stayed behind to help others in Lahaina and save Bogar’s home. But as the flames got closer and closer Tuesday afternoon, they knew they had to flee.
They each escaped to their own car. When Bogar’s vehicle would not start, he broke a window to get out and crawled on the ground until a police patrol found him and he was taken to a hospital. Trejos did not escape.
When Bogar returned the next day, he found the bones of his 68-year-old friend in the backseat of his car, on top of the remains of the Bogars’ beloved 3-year-old golden retriever, Sam, whom he had tried to protect.
Trejos, a native of Costa Rica, had lived for years with Bogar and his wife, Shannon Weber-Bogar, helping her with her seizures when her husband couldn’t. She filled their lives with love and laughter.
“God took a really good man,” Weber-Bogar said.
Visual timeline: The day Maui went from paradise to doomsday
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