The apocalyptic wildfires that raced across Maui have claimed at least 111 lives – a devastating number that’s expected to grow.
Many of the victims died while trying to escape the flames – including a 7-year-old boy and three members of his family who were found “in a burned-out car near their home,” according to a verified GoFundMe page.“On behalf of our family, we bid aloha to our beloved parents, Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, as well as our dear sister Salote Takafua and her son, Tony Takafua,” the family said in a statement to CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.
But as the identities of more victims emerge, so do poignant tales about their lives. These are some of their stories:Buddy Jantoc, 79, was living at a senior housing complex when flames swept through Lahaina, CNN affiliate KITV reported.“My papa was older, but for him to be taken from us that way,” his granddaughter Keshia Alaka’i told KITV. “I think that’s what’s the hardest to come to terms with.
Iola Balubar, a hula instructor who performed with Jantoc, told KITV he was “a good man, a good grandpa.”An animal lover who died shielding a beloved dog Hours later, the roommate called Trejos’ family again “to tell us he had found Uncle Frankie’s remains,” Perez Grant said. The powerful winds whipped by Hurricane Dora moved quickly and “kept changing,” Gardner Hartley wrote in a Facebook post.
Gardner Hartley remembered her sister as a special, loving person from a young age. The two would talk often, she said, and were always “a phone call away.”“My little sister has always looked for the good in people and always helped others,” Gardner Hartley said. “She will be missed by all that knew her for her fun personality, her smile and adventures.
Matriarch was the ‘backbone’ of the familyDonna Gomes of Lahaina perished in the fire, officials said. Her granddaughter, Tehani Kuhaulu, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Gomes was the backbone of the family. “With all his heart I know that he was trying to fight the fire to save our home,” his son Joshua Galinato told KITV. “So we can come back to our home as a whole family.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hawaii vowing to protect Maui landowners from pressure to sell after wildfiresHawaii's governor vowed to protect local landowners from being 'victimized' by opportunistic buyers when Maui rebuilds from a deadly wildfire that incinerated a historic island community, as schools began reopening.
Read more »
Hawaii vowing to protect landowners on Maui from being pressured to sell after wildfiresHawaii\u0027s governor vowed to protect local landowners from being \u0022victimized\u0022 by opportunistic buyers when Maui rebuilds from deadly wildfires
Read more »
Hawaii vowing to protect landowners on Maui from being pressured to sell after wildfiresHawaii\u0027s governor vowed to protect local landowners from being \u0022victimized\u0022 by opportunistic buyers when Maui rebuilds from deadly wildfires
Read more »
Aftermath of deadly wildfire that tore through Maui, HawaiiWith multiple wildfires burning on the Hawaiian island of Maui, residents are witnessing dramatic scenes of devastation as they flee their homes.
Read more »
Hawaiian Electric shares continue slide amid scrutiny over Maui wildfiresCompany’s stock briefly hits lowest level since 1985
Read more »