Holy shit - up to a thousand people are missing

[malaise]

in Hawaii

They are finding people huddled together in their homes.

Too sad.

[KarenS]

1. This is so terribly sad. n/t

[Walleye]

2. It's breaking my heart. Such a beautiful place full of my romantic memories

[LoisB]

3. Oh, no. Heart wrenching.

[Hortensis]

4. 55 reported dead as of, 1000 still to check in. Apparently west Maui

is/was cut off from communication.

Dreadful.

[malaise]

5. Hopefully most of them escaped but folks can't communicate with them

[Hortensis]

7. And are of course terrified for them.

I suspect (hope) we're going to find that most of the deaths were in that oceanside town and mostly already counted. The fire's speed must have been incredible.

[Wonder Why]

13. or they were elsewhere.

[allegorical oracle]

6. What makes it particularly tragic is that this event wasn't something people could

prepare for. They were just blindsided. Hope they can find the missing. Truly heartbreaking.

[malaise]

14. In all my years I have never once thought that hurricane winds could do this

I have always assumed rain came with the hurricane, but now I know you can be out of the rain bands but still affected by the wind. Frightening is the word.

[ellie]

40. It's awful

Residential embers and a downed power line started a grass fire that was fanned by hurricane-force winds (70 to 100 mph) near Boulder, Colorado on Dec. 30, 2021. The Marshall Fire destroyed homes and businesses (including a Target and the Costco was damaged). It was horrific and I had no idea this could happen. We were evacuated from our apartment; it was right across the street from us.

I pray for those in Hawaii that are affected. I have never felt so powerless.

[malaise]

49. I can imagine how frightening that must have been

Damn

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

58. I saw an interview

and they said with the winds, it took 3 minutes to incinerate the main city center.

3 minutes...

even boats in the bay burned.

Sounds like the fire bombing stories from WWII

[malaise]

60. Horrific is the word

Damn!

[mopinko]

66. reminds me of the peshtigo fire. same time as the great chgo fire.

only so much worse. same thing. a lumber town and it burst into flames so violent ppl couldnt breathe. ppl jumping in lake michigan to survive.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

67. Like I mentioned

it's like the intentional use of incendiary bombs in WW2 to create firestorms in Dresden, Germany and Tokyo.

Creating a fire so big that streets melted, with winds so strong that people outside were swept into the inferno.

[Backseat Driver]

8. Climate-changing weather events are also bamboozling meteorologists' forecasts.

Storms don't seem to be behaving in usual predictable forecast scenarios, and meteorologists don't seem to have a grasp on how newer man-made infrastructure may impact weather or how historical constructions are placed in acutely dangerously new unpredictable weather situations. In my area, they are tending to hedge their bets in favor of dangerous situations by announcing and alerting to "maybe" directional on the way events, but I'm thinking: Prepare anyway!

So sad re Hawaii - So many have been displaced and unable to communicate. Now, because of greed and greedy man-made climate change, events on two islands I visited in the early 70s can never be re-visited on a bucket list. The beauty and magic have been decimated. Wonder if it was "safe" even then...Maybe I need to pull out boxed and stored photos and hope for the best; never digitized them. But then...how fast the half-century has flown by...all things considered, I'm grateful I survived at all.

[calimary]

18. Yep. It's gonna matter everywhere.

EVERYWHERE.

[AllyCat]

36. This summer's weather forecasts have been ALL OVER THE BOARD.

We are in Wisconsin. We'll have no predicted rain for weeks and then a massive storm will roll in with heavy winds that drop trees, flood roadways, and a ton of rain that just rolls off our parched earth.

Can believe this is getting harder to predict for areas that have no avenue of escape. So unbelievably tragic for all involved.

no end in sight.

[NickB79]

51. Apt description of Climate Chaos

Mother Nature is stumbling around, drunk on CO2 and the energy imbalance it's caused, wildly seesawing left, right, up and down. Desperately trying find an equilibrium point, but failing.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

77. +1

Well said. So tragic.

[irisblue]

9. The horror for the victims, the surviving families and the searchers will last forever

[GenXer47]

10. I sure hope everyone here who is sad about this

has sworn off fossil fuels for good.

Bike
Electric scooter
Your own two feet
Electric car (least worst option)

[ananda]

12. Sorry, I have to use my hybrid.

But not that often or that far.

It's all I have right now, and I'm too disabled
to do anything but drive.

[LisaM]

33. I love how people think everyone can use scooters.

What about blind, disabled, or elderly people?

[calimary]

42. You do what you can.

[3auld6phart]

52. Agree

Gave up my D. L.before they came after me to turn it in can’t even drive a bike now. Eyes sight. mostly gone south.Driving a scooter out of the question, would be fun though, scaring the crap
out of other sidewalk users though.

[LisaM]

55. I get scared enough by scooters, thanks.

Walking down the sidewalk today, almost got clipped by one, and the other one did not give me the right of way.

[ShazzieB]

75. Elderly person here...

And boy, do I hear you! My husband and I have 2 old beaters that run on gas,and we can't afford to replace either one right now. I wouldn't buy an electric car even if I could, because we live in an apartment complex, and there's no place to charge an electric car around here. I'd consider a hybrid, but it worries me that the batteries are so danged expensive,

Bikes are great, but they're not a real option year round in this climate. I don't know much about scooters, but there are very few places where you could use one around here, and they're subject to the same issues as bikes of not being a viable transportation method more than 6 or 7 months out of the year.

Public transportation exists around here, just barely, but routes are very limited, and busses don't run very often. Walking is a joke, because everything is too far for that, except for one CVS drugstore (and to get there, you have to cross not one, but TWO busy streets, neither of which has a pedestrian crosswalk). This area is ridiculously pedestrian unfriendly, especially when it comes to the main roads you have to use to get to grocery stores, etc.

In short, we're stuck, unless we were suddenly to have a large, unexpected infusion of cash. (Ha!). With enough money, we could move to a home of our own, install solar panels on he roof, and buy 2 electric cars. As it is, we don't have much choice. Young, able-bodied people who want to put a guilt trip on people like us can kiss my grits.

[edhopper]

16. I am sure we haven't

We have voted for people that can remake how we use energy if they can overcome the GOP and FF industry.
Buts it's fun to blame people here I guess.

[maxsolomon]

21. Have you?

Taken any jet planes lately? How is your electricity generated?

Everyone is sad about this.

[rubbersole]

23. If we stopped putting carbon in the atmosphere tomorrow...

..it might be too late. Our grandkids won't forgive our collective shortsighted willing ignorance.

[maxsolomon]

26. Or

Maybe we can mourn the loss of life in Maui without assigning collective blame for a wildfire fueled by invasive grasses and hurricane winds.

[rubbersole]

30. Agree.

[uppityperson]

35. +++++++++

Thank you

[Hortensis]

46. Agree. Mourn, take lessons from the tragedy, and

don't make demands of others that may seem virtuous but aren't because they're impossible.

[ShazzieB]

78. Hear, hear!

I'll drink to this!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

79. +1

[meadowlander]

68. Unless they're 100% off grid, no they haven't.

Do they grow 100% of their own food and materials for their own clothes and household goods organically and without commercial fertilizers, etc? No? Then they use fossil fuels.

It's not about any one thing that you do, it's your overall carbon footprint. Are you mindful about the things you use fossil fuels for, use alternatives where you can and save them for needs rather than wants? That's probably the best we can aspire to.

[Hekate]

25. A lot of people here are having a funeral & you show up to say this ...

…while we’re still praying that there will be survivors.

Hm.

[MiHale]

38. I'm so happy for you...

to be able to live in a place and are of an age where you can do that, I applaud you for your actions.

Please understand not everyone has that same opportunity.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

57. Do you actually think anything you do

will stop climate change? Let alone talk about it in this context?

Think if everyone in the US did everything you list, that it would change anything at all? Take some time and look at the math.

Let alone, try and then guilt people who are sad about this fire?

[catbyte]

11. I haven't been this distraught since my fiance died unexpectedly in 2019.

I've been on the verge of tears ever since it happened. I'm okay then a memory hits and the tears come. I feel so bad for the wonderful people there. I've been in love with Lahaina and West Maui since first going there in 1988. My traveling buddy and I had such a good time when we went there in March. I remember how magical it was just relaxing in the shade under the Banyan Tree after a 3-hour whale watch and then lunch at the Pioneer Inn. I still can't believe it's all gone.

[malaise]

15. Seriously

This is horrific. Sorry about your sudden loss

[mahina]

17. The Banyan tree is still standing. It's smoldering, but it is alive.

That and the lighthouse are about all that’s left.

It is heartbreaking. I’m sure you’ll find a way to help somehow. Take care of your heart.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

59. I heard this too

A light of hope that nature will persevere...

It's a holy tree in many cultures, so it's - cool for lack of another word - that it survived this.

For example, "In Hinduism, the leaf of the banyan tree is said to be the resting place for the god Krishna."

[mahina]

63. And I've also read they don't know if it's true, that the bodhi tree Buddha sat under was a type of

Banyan

[Sky Jewels]

74. Three generations of my family have visited Lahaina

several times, starting in the 1960s. I have a photo of my son in the big Banyan tree when he was a little guy. And photos of my kids on the pirate ship. And photos of us eating a seaside lunch. My son’s friend hadn’t heard from some family members the last I heard. I feel devastated.

[ITAL]

19. I'm sure some are alive

Always after catastrophes like this, way more people are unaccounted for and feared dead, and many are found to be alive in the weeks that follow. Early numbers from Katrina said upwards of 10 thousand might have drowned.

But the death toll from this is gonna be horrifically high.

[Sedona]

22. The same thing happened after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 in South Florida.

One of my daughters' friends turned up late yesterday on Maui after two days of not being able to charge her phone.

Note: I've been to Maui four times over the last 20ish years. I am devastated at all the loss.

I have many friends who have lived and died there.

I even stayed at the 122 year old Pioneer Inn next to the Banyan in 2012.

It is burned down to the foundation. https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/lahaina-pioneer-inn-destroyed-in-maui-wildfire-18288399.php

[Fla Dem]

20. An unbelievable tragedy. Difficult to even imagine the horror.

My heart breaks for those that were lost and for those who lost family members, friends and/or beloved pets.

[calimary]

43. Beautiful image. Sadly beautiful.

[thatcrowwoman]

54. Prayers for Hawaii,

For safe crossing for those who have died, for strength and support for the survivors.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[Hekate]

24. I hope so much most are scattered safely and simply without cell phone service

[Evolve Dammit]

27. Heartbreaking

[Sogo]

28. I vacationed once in the lovely town of Lahaina.

I'm so sad to see what has happened to it.

At least reports are that the banyan tree survived.


And my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those whose lives were lost....

[Brother Buzz]

31. Seriously damaged but not necessarily dead

The blaze which began on Tuesday evening appears to have seriously charred the tree’s structure. It’s still standing but its survival hangs in the balance.

Country officials said in an update about the tree on late Wednesday: “It’s said that if the roots are healthy, it will likely grow back. But it looks burned.”

[Brother Buzz]

29. Maui County Police Chief Pelletier estimated the number of missing people at approximately 1,000

Though he cautioned that "honestly we don't know."

[Nictuku]

34. A dear friend of mine is unable to contact her grandchildren

She is so worried. They lived in Lahaina. She just moved to the Big Island from Maui.

[Brother Buzz]

37. No telephones, no internet, poor radio signals

Here's hoping they make a connection in the coming days

[Hortensis]

44. Poor thing! Fwiw, Lahaina itself had a population over 13,000,

so numerical chances they're okay are good. Power may be out wherever they are.

People able to take comfort from prayer are fortunate.

[area51]

39. Horrible.

[Sky Jewels]

41. My son's friend has missing family members.

I haven't heard an update recently. I hope they've been found. I fear the worst.

[Hortensis]

45. Just read that the death count is only of bodies found outside.

They haven't searched inside homes yet. 2100 people had left their homes for shelters before the wildfires hit.

Finding missing people and reuniting families is "the goal" according to the mayor.

[electric_blue68]

47. Terrible event, and so much worry in the waiting. Only saw a photo...

yesterday of that town. Yikes. 😔


Hopefully many more people will be found alive than people think will be.
Strength to all!

[wendyb-NC]

48. Heartbreaking

Too much, so horribly tragic.

[Warpy]

50. I have a cousin there

I've never met him, just talked to him online a few times. I don't think he was in Lahaina, he's as low rent as the rest of us. I'm still going to be waiting for the list to come out with bated breath.

I'm not surprised so many are missing and some are being found in their homes. This thing apparently went from a little wisp of smoke in the distance to a blowtorch aimed across the island within an hour.

[FakeNoose]

53. I read that some people went out in boats, maybe they haven't checked back in yet

I think there's a lot of confusion right now.

Some people took off on foot, while others when into the water. I imagine a boat would be a safe way to escape the flames, but nobody was keeping track of who went where.

It going to take a few days to figure it out. Maybe some of the "missing" will come back home. I hope so.

Such a tragedy.

[onecaliberal]

56. The city of Paradise, California burned to the ground, same situation.

Everything was so dry the flying embers started fires everywhere.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

72. the big difference being people took to the ocean to escape flames in Maui.

Can't do that up 1765 feet in eastern CA.

[canetoad]

61. It may not be as bad as that

It's very early after the fires; many of those thousand may just be uncontactable and will turn up in good time. That's what I'm hoping - it's what happens here in the immediate aftermath.

[malaise]

62. That's what we're all hoping

Good luck with your football team in a few hours

[canetoad]

64. I like that you call it

Football - not soccer! Go Matildas

[malaise]

65. It's football in Jamaica and as I remind DUers we call it FIFA for a reason

and it preceded the American game.😀

[ShazzieB]

81. Yes, it is FIFA for a reason!

I'd love it we could call it football like the rest of the world, but when you use that word in the U.S., people assume you're talking about the American kind!

[malaise]

82. I add American in front of the US game

😀

[Snackshack]

69. Holy shit

Last edited Fri Aug 11, 2023, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Is right. How?

I’ve lived in places where there is a literal “fire season”
Wildfires move fast but they are not instantaneous. Did people refuse to leave or something?


1000

OMFG…

Edit:

Reading news. I have also not lived on an island. What I am familiar with is California. Nature always provides a way out but not always a lot of time to use it you must to be aware of surroundings. Sounds like some people simply had no way out, no where to go. That coupled with the unexpected nature of this particular type of disaster in that place and those people had huge disadvantage to begin with.

R.I.P.

[Sky Jewels]

70. No. There was zero warning.

A firestorm swept through the town much like a flood after a dam break — except instead of water it was flames.

[malaise]

71. No - it spread in minutes

Crazy shit

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

73. Death toll in Maui at 67, as Hawaii officials warn final count will take time

Hawaii residents continued to try to find missing loved ones Friday after wildfires ripped through Maui, killing at least 67 people, with the search for victims ongoing. It could take a week or longer before Maui officials have a final death toll.

“Starting tomorrow, we will see a lot more certainty about how many individuals perished,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said Friday. Officials urged prospective tourists to cancel their trips. The damage, which includes the devastation of the historic town of Lahaina, will probably take years and cost billions of dollars to repair, officials said Thursday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/11/maui-fires-deaths-lahaina-hawaii/

[MorbidButterflyTat]

80. So sorry about this

[BootinUp]

83. These fire storms in recent years

are hard to process. I hope it is just a case of people leaving the area making the number so high.

[SunSeeker]

84. Yes, and they have just a 9-person team searching Lahaina with cadaver dogs.

This will take forever at this rate. They wouldn't even have those 9 if California and Washington didn't send them. They need WAY more help.

I think people finding bodies is why police abruptly shut down entry to Lahaina today, after it was briefly opened up for a few hours.