Governor suspects numerous kids among 850 missing in Maui wildfires.

Heartbreaking ⁣news​ emerges​ from the Hawaiian island of​ Maui, where deadly ⁤wildfires have left 850 people missing, including ⁤many‌ children, according to⁢ Hawaii Gov. ​Josh Green.

In an interview on ⁣CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Gov. Green expressed his concerns about the missing individuals, stating ⁤that‍ over ⁣1,000 people have yet to be accounted for. ​Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen also confirmed‍ that 850 ​people are still missing as search​ and ⁤rescue operations continue.

Gov. Green⁢ expressed his concern ‍that ⁤many of the⁢ missing individuals are likely children, as they were at home due to⁢ school closures when the fires struck.

“This is ⁤the largest​ catastrophe and disaster that’s ever hit Maui, probably‌ that’s​ ever hit Hawaii outside of wartime events,” Gov. Green said. “Right‌ now, our priority is to ensure everyone is sheltered and to secure federal resources​ to ‌make life livable⁢ for the survivors.”

Currently,​ six hotels on the island ‍are providing shelter ​for families ⁣who survived the wildfires.

Gov. ‌Green also mentioned that⁢ efforts are ⁣being made to facilitate the return of surviving children to school. Distance learning options are available, and transportation arrangements, such ​as vans, have been authorized to help families reach ⁢neighboring schools.

Schooling Challenges

“We also are doing distance learning. A lot of that ⁢was implemented during the COVID ⁤pandemic,” Gov.⁤ Green explained. “King Kamehameha Elementary School in Lahaina is burned to the ground. I mean, it’s totally​ gone. It used to host 650 children. Some of those children have passed.⁢ Others will, of course, go to neighboring schools.”

Gov. ⁣Green emphasized that Lahaina is‌ a rural ‍area with schools located far apart. To address this,⁢ alternative transportation methods, such as vans, ⁤have been authorized ⁢to⁢ help families travel⁤ longer distances to school.

The devastating wildfires, which started on Aug. 8, have caused extensive damage, with at least 2,207 buildings affected, according to ‌preliminary reports from the University⁢ of Hawaii’s Pacific ‌Disaster Center. Residential structures account for approximately 86%⁣ of the damage.

About ⁣4,500 ⁢people are⁣ currently in sheltered ⁤accommodations after being displaced by the fires.

The cause of ‌the ⁢fires is still unknown, but the⁣ dry ‌conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora have ⁣contributed to their rapid spread. This disaster is⁤ the deadliest natural event in Hawaii since ​a 1960 tsunami claimed​ the lives of ‌61 people on the Big Island.

Biden, First Lady‌ Visit Maui

In a video‍ message shared on Facebook, Mayor Bissen confirmed that the fires have claimed the lives of 114 people, with 27 individuals identified and 11 families notified of ⁢their loss. However, these numbers may change as search and rescue operations continue.

Gov. Green expressed concerns about the difficulty of recovering remains due to the intensity of ⁢the ⁣fire. He mentioned‍ that some individuals may be lost forever, and efforts are underway to assess the missing persons with ⁢the‌ assistance of the FBI and ‍other agencies.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden⁤ arrived in Maui⁣ to meet with⁤ survivors and first​ responders and witness the extent of the⁤ destruction in Lahaina. During his visit, President Biden appointed Bob Fenton as the chief federal response coordinator to oversee long-term recovery efforts in Maui.

“Jill and I are here to grieve with you but also want you to know the entire country is here for you. That’s not hyperbole. We ⁣mean that. The entire country is here ​for you,” President ⁣Biden assured the survivors in his address.

“We just surveyed​ the damage. I want you‌ to know: whatever it‍ takes, as long as it takes … we’re going to get it done for you, but get it done the way you want it,”‌ he⁤ added.