Hawaii Wildfire: Residents Return To Devastated Properties In Lahaina

The massive wildfire in Hawaii killed at least 97 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings, most of them homes. Some survivors jumped over a sea wall and sheltered in the waves as hot black smoke blotted out the sun.

Updated: 27 Sep 2023 3:29 pm

Hawaii Wildfire-Going Home | Photo: AP/Mengshin Lin

Michael Vierra looks at his house for the first time after the wildfire in August in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Leola Vierra walks through the remains of her home for the first time in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Vierras are among the couple dozen residents who are able to return to their property in Zone 1-C following August's deadly wildfire. Authorities in Maui strongly encouraged homeowners to wear protective gear provided by nonprofit groups when visiting their properties to protect against asbestos, lead and other toxic remains of the wildfire.

Charred trees and burned cars are pictured on Malo Street in Lahaina, Hawaii, following Maui's deadly wildfire.

Doctors, who volunteered to stand by for the residents of Kaniau Road on their first day returning to their property following last month's wildfire, walk in an authorized personnel area in Lahaina, Hawaii. A small group of Lahaina residents returned to their devastated properties Monday for the first time since the Hawaii town was destroyed by wildfire nearly seven weeks earlier.

A checkpoint set up by the Hawaii National Guard is pictured on Kaniau Road in Lahaina, Hawaii. Kaniau Road of Zone 1C will be the first zone to be cleared for residents to reenter, starting Monday, Sep. 25, following Maui's deadly wildfire.