Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage

The fires burned thousands of homes and commercial buildings to the ground.

The deadly wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history, officials said.

The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been "destroyed," officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.

Maui Wildfires
ABC News, AP, Nasa

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Aug 17, 2023, 5:36 am

Maui Strong: Charities to directly support wildfire relief efforts

On Thursday, "Good Morning America" and ABC News organized efforts to help viewers get involved in relief efforts for survivors of the Maui fires.

"Good Morning America" is helping raise awareness for Maui fire relief efforts.
ABC News

How to help:

-- Maui Strong Fund

-- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

-- University of Hawai'i Foundation

-- Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui

-- American Red Cross/ABC

-ABC News’ Kelly McCarthy

Aug 16, 2023, 11:55 am

What we know about the victims

Over 100 people have died from the devastating wildfires on Maui. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.

Click here to read what we know about some of the victims.

PHOTO: In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband.
In an undated photo, Buddy Jantoc, center, is seen with his granddaughter Keshia Alakai and her husband. Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc
Courtesy of The Family of Buddy Jantoc

Aug 15, 2023, 5:15 PM EDT

32% of area has been searched, 4th victim IDed: Officials

Maui officials released an update Tuesday about their search and recovery efforts and said 32% of the area has been searched.

A fourth deceased victim was identified, but no names will be released until after family members are notified, officials said.

Officials said they are continuing to collect DNA samples from families to help identify the deceased. As of Tuesday evening, 13 DNA profiles have been obtained from fatalities, and 41 DNA samples have been obtained from family members of missing people, officials said.

Aug 15, 2023, 4:26 PM EDT

Damage assessment only 25% done: Governor

Gov. Josh Green told Honolulu ABC affiliate KITV Tuesday that anxious residents need to give first responders and crews more time to assess the damage in "ground zero of the fire."

Green said firefighters are 25% done with their assessment.

"I'm hoping and praying and working all these things, that by the end of the weekend, the firefighters and the police have said, 'OK, we've done enough,'" he said.

The governor also noted that families will still need their space as officials work to identify the bodies recovered so far.

The charred frame of a house is seen among the ashes of a burnt neighborhood in the aftermath of a wildfire, in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on Aug. 14, 2023.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

"Only three of the bodies that we recovered had enough fingerprint to share who they were," he said.

Green said that some of the bodies are those of families, including three children of a family of four who were found inside a car.

The governor said he was appreciative so far of the support from President Joe Biden, who called him Tuesday morning, and the federal government.

-ABC News' Jennifer Watts

Aug 15, 2023, 2:23 PM EDT

Biden addresses wildfires, pledges support 'as long as it takes'

President Joe Biden addressed the current situation in Maui during an event in Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon and reiterated the federal government's commitment to helping the millions of people affected.

"Every asset, every asset they need will be there for them. And we will be there in Maui as long as it takes," he said.

Biden said the recovery and cleanup processes will be difficult because crews are still trying to determine the number of dead bodies.

President Joe Biden speaks about federal assistance in dealing with the Hawaii wildfires while in Milwaukee, Aug. 15, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

"Imagine being a mom or dad wondering where your child is. Imagine being a husband or wife, a mother, a father. It's really tough stuff," he said.

Biden spoke with Gov. Josh Green earlier in the day and is planning on visiting the island along with the first lady.

"I don't want to get in the way," he said. "But I want to go, make sure we got everything they need. I want to be sure we don't disrupt the ongoing recovery efforts."

Aug 15, 2023, 12:53 PM EDT

US attorney warns of charity scams

As residents of Maui begin to recover from the wildfire, the U.S. attorney for Hawaii pressed people to be careful about scams.

U.S. Attorney Clare Connors flagged several potential scams that target displaced residents.

She warned of people who use the names of well-known charities to solicit donations for themselves, impersonate government officials or insurance provider representatives or solicit victims to invest in nonexistent businesses and ventures offering recovery services such as cleanup.

"Moreover, victims are frequently further victimized by property theft of businesses and residences abandoned during the disaster," Connors said in a statement.

Connors said anyone who has been targeted by fraudsters or been the victim of disaster-related fraud are encouraged to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721.

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