Video shows winds whip through Maui, quickly spreading fire

LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A viewer video — courtesy Jill and Mike Perkins — shows how devastating the fires were due to the strength of the winds.

The videos show the scary moments when residents realized that they had to evacuate or possibly burn. Some were stuck on the roadway with no communication.

Grabbing pets and loved ones in the seconds they had to evacuate.

The devastating fire has left so many people without resources. There are many in the community who are stepping up, including government agencies and businesses.

How ever you define it, Lāhainā residents can go back home as of noon on Friday, Aug. 10, according to Governor Josh Green, M.D. Gov. Green announced this on Wake Up 2Day.

“They will see destruction like they’ve not ever seen in their lives,” said the governor.

To make things worse, the death toll, which had climbed to 55 as of Friday morning, is also expected to increase as rescue workers continue extensive recovery efforts.

But many are wondering how the fire began.

We know that the fire first broke out Tuesday, Aug. 8; however, at this point, we do not know the exact causes.

The one thing that is for sure with officials is that both the acute and long-term weather conditions that led to its wild dispersal were perfect for creating and sustaining a wildfire this deadly and destructive.

With so much uncertain, there are some reliable resources for people who are looking for loved ones.

• The American Red Cross is acting as the clearinghouse — a central point for the collection and distribution of information — in order to help reunite families. Family members can call 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance.

• For an “on the ground” way of locating loved ones, a Maui woman created a publicly accessible, alphabetical spreadsheet online of those who are lost or separated.

• Then there is the Family Assistance Center which opened Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Kahului Community Center. This is a place for family members who need assistance in finding loved ones. The center is located at 275 Uhu St. and will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.