August 9th 2023.
Thousands of Hawaiians are struggling with the destructive aftermath of hurricane-fueled wildfires that have devastated the island of Maui. Smoke and flames fill the air as buildings in Lahaina are burned down.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green expressed his deep sympathy for the residents of Maui, saying, “We have suffered a terrible disaster in the form of a wildfire that has spread widely as a result of hurricane-force winds in the region and underlying drought conditions. Maui and the Big Island both experienced significant fires. Much of Lahaina on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced.”
The situation is dire, with about 14,000 customers without power on the island, according to online tracker Poweroutage.us. Parts of West Maui, including the popular tourist destination of Lahaina, have lost 911 services due to cell towers being damaged by the storm. Emergency services are now being provided by the police department directly.
In response to the crisis, Governor Green announced he would be returning from scheduled personal travel early on Wednesday. His office stated that he was in “constant contact” with Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who is serving as Acting Governor during his planned time away.
“This is an unprecedented disaster as an indirect result of Hurricane Dora passing just south of our islands. It is truly devastating and my heart goes out to the residents of Maui and all those impacted,” said Lt Governor Luke.
To protect the safety and resources of Maui residents, the lieutenant governor has discouraged all non-essential travel to Maui and asked tourists, particularly those in West Maui and Lahaina, to leave immediately.
“This proclamation is to discourage travel to the affected areas so we can prioritize our scarce resources for Maui residents who desperately need assistance,” said Lt Governor Luke.
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