The Hawaiian island of Maui is reeling from the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history since it became a state in 1959. The picturesque town of Lahaina has been completely devastated by a raging wildfire, leaving authorities reporting a grim death toll of at least 93 people, according to Maui County officials. Tragically, this number is expected to rise further, making this the worst natural disaster Hawaii has ever faced.

Firefighting crews are tirelessly battling to extinguish flare-ups in both the Lahaina and Upcountry Maui fires, while also assessing the extent of the damage. In the Upcountry Maui fire, three structures in Olinda and 16 structures in Kula have been completely destroyed. The destruction is heart-wrenching, as these structures were once homes to many families.

However, amidst the despair, a glimmer of hope emerged on Saturday when the Pulehu/K?"hei fire was declared 100% contained. This significant development means that the fire perimeter has been successfully enclosed by a control line, greatly reducing the risk of the fire spreading beyond its original border. Additionally, a smaller 1-acre fire reported on Friday evening in Ka'anapali, near Lahaina, has been successfully extinguished.

The impact of this disaster has surpassed previous natural calamities in Hawaii, becoming the state's deadliest natural disaster in decades, surpassing even the devastating 1960 tsunami that claimed the lives of 61 people. The destruction caused by a 1946 tsunami on the Big Island, which killed over 150 individuals, led to the development of a territory-wide emergency alert system with sirens that are tested monthly. However, records from Hawaii's emergency management do not indicate that the warning sirens were activated before the fire hit Lahaina. Officials sent alerts through mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations, but power and cellular outages may have limited their reach.

The newly released death toll from the wildfires also exceeds the toll of the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, which left 85 dead and destroyed the town of Paradise. Looking back even further, the 1918 Cloquet Fire in drought-stricken northern Minnesota destroyed thousands of homes, claimed hundreds of lives, and left a lasting impact on the community.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green, accompanied by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), visited Lahaina's devastated Front Street on Saturday. Governor Green acknowledged that the death toll is expected to rise further and stated that this will undoubtedly be the worst natural disaster Hawaii has ever faced. He emphasized the need to prioritize support for the survivors, recognizing the immense challenges they will face in rebuilding their lives.

Efforts are currently focused on reuniting people, providing them with shelter and healthcare, and eventually shifting towards the rebuilding process. FEMA has been actively marking vehicles and buildings on Front Street with an “X” to indicate that they have been checked. However, there is still a possibility of human remains within these structures. In the subsequent passes, if remains are found, the letters “HR” will be added next to the "X."

As the devastating fires continue to ravage Maui, the community is left mourning the loss of loved ones and grappling with the extensive damage caused by this unprecedented natural disaster. It will be a long and challenging road to recovery, but the people of Lahaina and the entire state of Hawaii remain resilient and determined to rebuild their lives and communities.