After over five months since a wind-driven wildfire tore through the coastal town of Lahaina on Maui, authorities have finally identified the final victim out of the 100 confirmed casualties.
Lydia Coloma, aged 70 and residing in Lahaina, has been identified, and her next of kin has been notified, as stated by the County of Maui and the Maui Police Department in a release on Friday, January 26th.
She represents the 100th confirmed fatality, aligning with the estimated total of 100 fatalities, as confirmed by the county and police.
The statement confirms that there are no additional individuals who have been confirmed deceased but whose families have not been notified or located in the aftermath of the August wildfire disaster in Maui.
Coloma was listed among individuals reported as unaccounted for or missing in the aftermath of the fire, as stated by the police. Presently, three individuals remain on that list.
"In handling this situation, our utmost priority is to show sensitivity and respect towards those who are grieving," emphasized the county and police department in their statement.
The fires that erupted on August 8 on Maui, coinciding with wind gusts of approximately 60 mph, stand as one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history.
The majority of Lahaina, which accommodated over 12,000 residents prior to the disaster, was decimated, leading to the displacement of numerous individuals. Additionally, other areas of the island were also impacted by the wildfire.
The government acknowledged that the aftermath of the fires continues to present challenges.
"We are committed to maintaining close communication with the affected families and providing them with ongoing support during this difficult time," assured the county and police department.
During the time of the fires, powerful easterly trade winds, stirred up by Hurricane Dora located 400 miles south of Maui, generated weather conditions that impacted the island.
Downslope winds, a phenomenon that occurred during the fires, resulted in exceptionally dry and hot conditions as the winds descended mountains, undergoing compression in the process.
Following the disaster, criticism arose regarding the failure of warning sirens, primarily designated for tsunamis, to sound in the Lahaina area. There was also scrutiny directed towards Hawaii Electric, which the county subsequently sued. The utility company claimed that lines were de-energized hours prior to the fire outbreak. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.