The number of people missing following devastating Maui wildfires has dropped to 66, governor says
Associated PressHONOLULU — One month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century leveled the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Friday that the number of missing has dropped to 66, the confirmed death toll remains at 115 and authorities will soon escort residents on visits to their property. “If we support Maui’s economy and keep our people employed, they will heal faster and continue to afford to live on Maui,” Green said. Donations from around the world have poured in to the American Red Cross, the Hawaii Community Foundation, the Maui United Way and other organizations, Green said, and he has authorized $100 million from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program “to support what others donate, magnifying the power of their generosity.” The government is also making $25 million available to help businesses survive, distributed in grants of $10,000 to $20,000, he said. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said she would use her subpoena powers, if necessary, to compel cooperation from state and county employees as her office probes the wildfire and will get answers so there are “guardrails in place for the future so it doesn’t happen again.” Green said some state employees have been asked to go to Washington, D.C., to testify at congressional hearings on the wildfire, including Hawaii’s director of energy and some Public Utility Commission personnel.