Number of people missing in Maui wildfires still unclear, officials say

Two weeks have passed since the catastrophic wildfires tore through Lahaina, a city with a rich history in Maui. However, the exact number of missing individuals affected by the blaze remains elusive due to the ambiguity and incomplete data concerning this tragic incident. These wildfires have claimed the lives of 115 people, marking it as the deadliest wildfire to ravage the United States in over a century.

During a recent news briefing, Steven Merrill, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Honolulu division, disclosed that the number of individuals “reported unaccounted for” stands between 1,000 and 1,100. However, he emphasized the challenges faced due to incomplete information that ranges from basic name mentions to in-depth details. This new estimate comes in the wake of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s previous belief that approximately 850 people were missing.

Efforts to locate the missing individuals persist, as officials are determined to leave no stone unturned. Merrill explains that the number of missing persons will continue to change as new information is received. There is a possibility that unreported shelters or hotels might be housing these individuals, further complicating the identification process.

While the statistics regarding missing children remain unclear, Merrill highlights the absence of dates of birth for individuals on the missing persons lists. However, this does not discount the possibility of minor victims. Merrill stresses that extensive efforts have successfully located 1,400 out of 2,500 initially reported missing individuals.

The search and rescue operation, led by hundreds of dedicated personnel and supported by cadaver dogs, continues in the affected areas. The FBI has deployed evidence collection personnel, forensic science experts, and cell phone analysts to assist in identifying and providing closure to impacted families. DNA analysis plays a vital role in this process, with 104 DNA reference samples collected thus far. Julie French, senior vice president for the DNA analysis company ANDE, emphasizes that a significant number of the tested remains have yielded actionable DNA results.

So far, the county officials have identified 43 individuals, and their names have been publicly released, offering some solace amidst the tragedy. The victims range in age from 59 to 74 years old.

Amidst the ongoing efforts, questions have arisen regarding the level of awareness amongst Maui County officials during the initial stages of the Lahaina fire. Mayor Bissen’s interview with local station KITV-TV on August 8 has raised eyebrows, as he appeared unaware of the scale of the unfolding disaster. His statement claiming the roads in Lahaina were open contradicted reality at the time, where a significant portion of downtown Lahaina was already engulfed in flames, forcing thousands to flee. In response, Bissen cites the breakdown of communication and the vast amount of information received during the crisis, mainly from the fire department.

Highlighted further is the revelation that during the fire, Maui County police officers allegedly conducted door-to-door visits in Lahaina, making emotional pleas and using speakers to urge evacuation. Bissen was not aware of these efforts until later. The resignation of the chief of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, who failed to activate the warning sirens during the wildfire, adds to the scrutiny surrounding the response of local government agencies.

The cause of the wildfires remains under investigation, with the involvement of a third-party organization enlisted to assess the local government agencies’ response. The Lahaina fire alone scorched approximately 3.39 square miles, decimating at least 2,200 structures, 86% of which were residential. The containment of the fire reached 90% as of Monday.

In a show of support, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Maui on Monday to survey the extent of the disaster and offer comfort to affected individuals and their families.