Despite the increasing death toll and the grim predictions of further remains being found, families in Hawaii are refusing to give up hope of being reunited with their loved ones. Unfortunately, many others have come to terms with the painful reality that their loved ones did not make it out alive.
Kika Perez Grant described the uncertainty surrounding the remains of her uncle, Franklin Trejos, who was tragically found in a burnt car while protecting a friend’s dog. Grant explained that they are allowing Trejos’ best friends, who he had been with for over 30 years, to make decisions about what would make him happy. The plans for his remains are still undecided due to uncertainty about who currently has possession of them.
More than 90 people have been found dead so far, either in flattened homes, burnt cars, or just feet away from their front doors. Governor Josh Green has warned residents to prepare for more devastating news as crews and cadaver-sniffing dogs continue to search the destruction. This tragedy could potentially be Hawaii’s deadliest natural disaster ever.
The officials in Maui have not responded to inquiries about where they are sheltering the recovered remains or if they have adequate facilities and resources to handle the growing number of fatalities. The availability of temporary storage and the timeline for releasing the remains to families remains unclear, given the limited hospital and mortuaries in the area.
Pope Francis acknowledged the tragedy in his Sunday address, expressing prayers for the victims of the fires. Local faith leaders are focusing on providing community support and spiritual hope for their congregants who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Some leaders have vowed to hold services as a beacon of hope as soon as possible.
The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina suffered smoke damage, while the convent and school were destroyed. Funerals are not expected to take place for some time, as Hawaiian customs dictate that they usually occur between one to six months after a death. Currently, faith leaders are organizing relief efforts, converting houses of worship into temporary shelters, delivering supplies to those in need, and helping families reconnect in areas with intermittent power and unreliable cellphone service.
The Church of Latter-day Saints in Maui reported the deaths of five members in the fires, including four from the same family. The church has repurposed two meeting houses as shelters. Pastor Jay Haynes from Kahului Baptist Church envisions a long recovery process that will take several years, but urges his congregation to remain steadfast.
The Chabad of Maui, which was under evacuation orders, was spared and is currently housing evacuees. Rabbi Mendy Krasnjansky explained that even though they don’t understand why these things happen, they are resilient and believe they have the strength to continue.
Zac Wasserman, who has been desperately searching for his wheelchair-bound uncle, David Hawley, received some relief when his family finally made contact. Wasserman, living in Southern California, had been worried about his uncle’s whereabouts as he had not been answering their calls. Despite the uncertainties, Wasserman retains hope for his uncle’s well-being.
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