MAUI, Hawaii—Ask any Maui resident what they value most on this diverse Hawaiian island of 164,000 inhabitants, and they'll tell you that it’s family, friendship, and community trust.
The last thing Rachel M. expected to hear were reports of people stealing medicine and other supplies from neighbors’ homes in the fire-ravaged areas of Lahaina.
“People are blown away that locals on the west side would be looting,” she told The Epoch Times, asking that her last name not be used. She said she lost her two businesses in the Lahaina fire.
Stories of looting are just some of the tragic fallout from the wildfires that have left at least 115 dead, 850 missing, and thousands of homeowners in desperate need of temporary housing and support.
Many West Maui islanders say they’ve had food and clothing stolen because of a lack of resources entering Lahaina, KITV Hawaii has reported. One resident told KITV it was “utter chaos” finding supplies.
Another Maui resident told the UK’s Daily Mail that looters are robbing people at gunpoint and ransacking houses despite the presence of law enforcement.
The Epoch Times couldn’t immediately reach the Maui Police Department and Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for comment.
The fires forced the evacuation of more than 7,500 people, with many seeking refuge in six temporary shelters run by the county or Red Cross that are off-limits to the press.
First responders using cadaver dogs have searched nearly 80 percent of Lahaina’s burn area for the remains of fire victims, according to the county.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement.
“As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort for this most difficult time.”
Media Ban
Meanwhile, much of Lahaina remains a media-free zone.Several West Maui residents told The Epoch Times they are concerned that they can’t get reliable answers from government officials, relying instead on text messaging and social media for information.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said getting information via social media is “idiotic.”
“Don’t use social media,” he said at an Aug. 16 news conference. “Do not rely on people that fancy themselves as influencers. The word influencer suggests right off the bat they want to influence you.”
On Aug. 15, a Lahaina police officer denied an Epoch Times reporter access to Buzz’s Wharf to interview relief volunteers, telling the reporter the pier had “burned down.”
The reporter found no reports corroborating the officer’s claim and, the following day, observed that the pier was still intact and operating just as it had been on Aug. 12 during a previous visit.
In many affected locations in Lahaina, the media are under strict orders to stay away.
“Several media members have been contacted and warned by law enforcement after going to the affected areas,” according to a Maui County statement.
“Going forward, and until further notice, there will be zero tolerance for anyone who trespasses, including residents of the affected area, the news media, and the general public, which could result in a citation or arrest.”
County officials urged patience until search and recovery efforts are completed.
“The area is not safe, and it is disrespectful for anyone to wander around without authorization,” Maui County stated.
On Aug. 18, police arrested Josepha Toakala, 39, of Lahaina, for violating the orders. He had been previously warned and escorted out of the disaster area on Aug. 14, police said.
The state and Maui County Joint Information Centers said access to the closed areas within the fire zone would remain in effect until further notice.
Media outlets have also reported growing concern among Maui animal rescuers being denied access to the cleared areas of Lahaina.
The Missing Pets of Maui Facebook group includes dozens of posts and photographs of pets missing since the fire.
Tanner Bonnell posted: “My animals were left at home and I couldn’t get to them in time. We lived on Komo Mai St. Our neighborhood got destroyed. Please let us know if you see them around Lahaina. I’m just trying to stay positive.”
Who’s to Blame?
“Of course, people are blaming—the governor failed them on this,” Rachel said. She said the government’s subsequent control of information is stoking conspiracy theories and undermining public trust.“There was a lot that could have been prevented in this situation,” she said.
She believes Lahaina’s all-hazard sirens would have saved lives and given people time to “grab a few things,” but the sirens were silent on Aug. 8 by order of MEMA Administrator Herman Andaya.
The decision not to use the sirens came under intense criticism, and on Aug. 17, Mr. Andaya resigned, citing “health reasons.”
Residents received a text alert for the less destructive Uplands/Kula fire further east, which destroyed 19 homes.
Rachel said she received that alert—a loud text on her cellphone that woke her at 4 a.m. on Aug. 7, the morning before the Lahaina fire.
“We got that [text]. Everybody got that,” Rachel said. “Lahaina got nothing—nothing.”
A woman who lives in Makawao said the Kula alert was critical.
“Thank God there were able young men to post on Facebook for their friends to come and help them,” she told The Epoch Times. “They got a whole team up there and were putting out fires for 36 hours. Those first hours were crucial.”
Lahaina resident Daniel Skousen told The Epoch Times that fire was unlike any other wildfire he’s witnessed on the island.
He said persistent dry conditions meant West Maui was ready to ignite.
“I’ve experienced frustration and anger, and I want to criticize,” Mr. Skousen said. “I’ve seen a lot of fires here. We knew it was a tinder box ready to go up.”
According to data technology company Whisker Labs, dozens of power grid malfunctions may have caused the Maui wildfires, as reported in Hawaii News Now, a claim that local officials refute.
In an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Mr. Green, a Democrat, said emergency sirens are assessed on the first of every month and aren’t normally used for fires.
“The challenge has been that historically, those sirens are used for tsunamis,” Mr. Green said.
“I know that there is debate out there whether we should be talking about climate change or not,” he said. “Well, let’s be real, world, climate change is here, we are in the midst of it with a hotter planet, and fiercer storms.”
“The first thing the governor said was climate change. It infuriated everyone. That’s your pass for not alerting us?” Rachel said.
“In talking to some of my friends, people are swooping in wanting to purchase their land. People are in such a place of grief and shock and being overwhelmed. Some people are saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll sell,'” she added.
Land Sharks
In response to reports of predatory land buyers, Mr. Green has contacted Hawaii’s attorney general to “explore options to do a moratorium on any sales of properties that have been damaged or destroyed.”“Moreover, I would caution people that it’s going to be a very long time before any growth or housing can be built,” the governor said in a statement.
“And so, you would be pretty poorly informed if you try to steal land from our people and then build here.”
The Maui Police Department also warned of potential scams by people soliciting donations under the guise of emergency relief.
Mr. Green sought to console residents by saying government relief efforts will continue “as long as it’s necessary.”
“We are especially grateful to President Biden for his strong support and partnership. From the first hours of the tragedy, he has enabled us to respond with the full force of the resources we need,” the governor said in a statement on Aug. 19.
Mr. Green said he anticipates additional investment of $500 million to $600 million toward the massive cleanup and billions more in reconstruction costs.
The three West Maui fires damaged or destroyed more than 2,200 buildings, about 90 percent of them residential, and burned more than 2,170 acres.
