US rushes resources to Maui fire victims as Hawaii mourns 110 dead

President Joe Biden and first lady to visit Hawaii on Monday to meet survivors and assess damage

Women console each other after digging through the rubble of a home destroyed by the wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. AP

The US government on Wednesday said it was working to “move quickly and push as many resources” into Hawaii as it reels from ongoing destructive and deadly fires.

“This is going to be a very long and hard recovery. But our federal, state and local partners are working around the clock to help all of those who have been impacted by this disaster,” Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell said at a White House press briefing.

“As he always does, President [Joe] Biden directed me to move quickly and push as many resources into the area so we can help people as soon as possible that were impacted.”

The death toll from the fires that scorched Maui climbed past 110 on Wednesday as the country began identifying victims.

Hawaii's Governor Josh Green said 110 people were confirmed dead and that 38 per cent of the disaster area has been searched.

“It makes us heartbroken,” Mr Green said at a news conference.

The County of Maui said 13 DNA profiles had been obtained from fatalities, and an additional 41 DNA profiles have been obtained by family members of missing people.

Of the 106 confirmed fatalities, only two victims' identities have been released. The Maui Police Department identified them as Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79. Both men were Lahaina residents.

Three other victims have been identified, although their names have not yet been released.

Fema said it has sent at least 140 workers to assist in search-and-recovery operations as well as additional canine search teams to supplement and relieve those already there.

“We're working carefully to search the affected areas thoroughly and compassionately while respecting all of the cultural sensitivities,” Ms Criswell said.

Mr Biden and his wife Jill will travel to Maui on Monday to meet first responders and survivors, as well as federal, state and local officials, a statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

“I know when the President travels, he's going to be able to bring hope,” Ms Criswell added.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to find shelter for the thousands of displaced people whose homes were destroyed by the blazes.

Mr Green said hundreds of hotel rooms had already been secured to shelter people, with hundreds more rooms made available from holiday rentals and Airbnb properties.

“We can house everybody who’s struggling, who’s suffering and also who’s helping us respond,” Mr Green said.

Fema has given out $2.3 million in assistance to families and launched a transitional shelter assistance programme to help support the state's fire relief housing scheme.

The White House said Fema has also supplied Hawaiians with meals and water, cots, blankets and shelter supplies that are being distributed by the County of Maui.

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  Hawaii Governor Josh Green, centre, speaks to reporters during a tour of wildfire damage in Lahaina, Hawaii. AP

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  A church service at King's Cathedral in Kahului on the island of Maui, Hawaii. AP

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  Volunteers load supplies on to a boat bound for West Maui at the Kihei boat landing. AP

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  A tree, uprooted by high winds, rests on the ground as a Maui County firefighter extinguishes a fire. AFP

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  Donated clothes pile up in Lahaina. AP

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  An American Red Cross worker stands at the entrance of the War Memorial Stadium, which is being used as a shelter for displaced Lahaina inhabitants in Kahului. EPA

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  Kamuela Kawaakoa, 34, and his six-year-old son, stand under a tarpaulin with donations for those affected by the wildfire. AFP

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  Hawaii stevedores and other volunteers prepare donations in Hawaii. Reuters

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  The Ganer family survey the ruins of their home on Malolo Place, western Maui, Hawaii, after a wildfire that killed 67 people. AFP

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  Damage to Lahaina on Maui island, Hawaii, on August 11, 2023, after a wildfire. AP

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  Damage to Kula in the Upcountry region of Maui island, Hawaii, after a wildfire. AP

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  Lahaina on Maui island, Hawaii, after the wildfire. AP

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  Burnt grasslands in the Upcountry region of Maui island extend almost as far as the eye can see. AP

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  A wildfire burns in Kihei, Hawaii. Thousands of residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island. AP Photo

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  Waiola Church and the adjacent Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in Lahaina. AP

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  Smoke and flames have become a familiar sight across Maui. AP

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  Several communities were forced to evacuate as the dry season and strong winds made for dangerous fire conditions. AP

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  Passengers try to rest at Kahului Airport as they leave Maui. AFP

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  Flights off the island were delayed and cancelled leaving thousands of passengers were stranded at Kahului Airport. AFP

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  This handout videograb courtesy of Richard Olsten shows smoke billowing from destroyed buildings in Maui. AFP

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  Smoke rises above Lahaina in this handout photo courtesy of Carter Barto via Facebook. AFP

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  Smoke billows as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of Lahaina. Reuters

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  Boats docked at Lahaina as smoke streams from wildfires in the Hawaii town in Maui. Reuters

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  Smoke obscures the old Lahaina courthouse. Reuters

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  A boat burns off the scorched waterfront after wildfires fanned by the winds of a distant hurricane spread. Reuters

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  Wildfires are destroying one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. Reuters

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  People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina. AP

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  People wait on the side of the road to return to west Maui after evacuations were ordered. Reuters

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  Wildfires are seen across Maalaea Harbour. Reuters

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  At least six people have been killed in Maui, the mayor said. Reuters

Maui County said 85 per cent of the Lahaina fire was contained as of Tuesday evening. The Pulehu/Kihei fire was at 100 per cent containment.

Hurricane-force winds fanned the flames that were sparked last week, resulting in major blazes that forced residents to flee into the ocean. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.

Destroyed by the wildfires was the historic town of Lahaina, once the capital of the kingdom of Hawaii.

The Lahaina fire had burnt through 878 hectares and more than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed.

“More than the visual impact of the burn landscape, it's the level of devastation from this fire and the feeling of loss of from such a culturally rich community,” Ms Criswell said.

“That was really palpable everywhere that I went and all the people of Hawaii are in mourning.”

Insured property losses are estimated at $3.2 billion, according to catastrophe modelling firm Karen Clark & Company. More than 3,000 total structures were impacted by the fire, KCC reported.

Most of the buildings that were damaged were residential. The high proportion of wood frames and older construction likely contributed to the damage, KCC reported.

Fema estimated that it would cost $5.52 billion to rebuild Lahaina, although its commissioner said it was “far too early to tell” what the total cost will be.

Mr Green said it would take “many years” to rebuild the historic town.

The White House said on Wednesday that the federal government would provide 100 per cent reimbursement “for the emergency work that's being done for a period of 30 days within the first 120 days at the governor's choosing”, Ms Criswell said.