Maui fires updates: Death toll rises to 106 with 1,000 still missing amid struggle to identify victims in Hawaii

While the death toll from wildfires in Hawaii topped 100 people, a woman decided to show her vacation on the island in a now private video on TikTok.

In the video, user Yvette Mares shows footage from her Hawaii vacation as an upbeat song called “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” plays in the background, according to Daily Dot.

The track clearly contrasts the sombre tone currently associated with the state of Hawaii, as governor Josh Green recently announced that the death toll could continue to rise by 10 to 20. people every day, as officials continue to search for survivors and victims.

Since posting the video, Mares has received backlash online for his lack of knowledge and poor timing of the TikTok post. Even though his account is now private, that hasn’t stopped others from making sure the video goes unnoticed.

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Matthew McConaughey and his son Levi announced an emergency fund in Maui in a video on Instagram.

The Hollywood star supports Baby2Baby’s Disaster Relief & Emergency Response program, which sends basic baby necessities including diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, formula, baby food, and water to those in need.

McConaughey said he funded a plane “filled with hundreds of thousands of additional emergency supplies that will have an immediate impact on the children and families of Maui”.

“Grateful that we can help get these critical supplies to the children and families who need them,” he said in the video.

When wildfires swept through Lahaina without warning on Tuesday, residents were forced to grab what they could and flee.

At least 96 residents died, more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed, and an estimated 1,000 people remain unaccounted for.

Hundreds of families who escaped the inferno began the desperate task of finding pets left behind in the chaos.

Facebook groups are filled with photos of cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and exotic birds, and many remain missing nearly a week after the deadliest fire in the United States in more than a century.

“I am absolutely heartbroken,” one pet owner wrote on the Lost & Found Animals of Maui Fires group along with photos of her cats Lily Jupiter, Puma and Tiger.

Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, are the first victims publicly named by authorities who died in the Maui fires.

Officials released the names of the victims on Monday.

Three other victims have been identified, but officials are waiting to notify their families before releasing the names.

Family members are encouraged to come forward with DNA samples to help locate and identify missing relatives.

To provide DNA samples to help with identification, family members can go to the Family Assistance Center, which is open daily from 10am to 8pm at the Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu St, Maui County said in a update.

The death toll from the Maui wildfires has topped 100 with officials announcing 106 victims as of Monday night.

The horrific number – making the tragedy the deadliest fire in the US since 1918 – is expected to rise further as more than 1,000 people remain missing and only 32 percent of the burned area of ​​Lahaina has been searched.

Despite the large number of victims found, only five have been formally identified.

Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, were publicly named Monday while three others have been identified, but officials are waiting to notify their families before releasing the names.

Family members are encouraged to come forward with DNA samples to help locate and identify missing relatives.

As the fires ravaged the Maui community of Lahaina, one of the victims died protecting his friend’s golden retriever.

In what officials are calling the deadliest US fire in a century, 68-year-old Franklin Trejos tried to protect Sam, the golden retriever, from the deadly flames. The dog belongs to retired fire captain Geoff Bogar and his wife Shannon Weber-Bogar, friends of Trejos for almost 35 years.

Mr Bogar told the Associated Press that he and Trejos decided to stay in an effort to save Mr Bogar’s home as the fires grew on 7 August. Although Mr Bogar said they finally decided to flee the following afternoon, only the retired captain made it back.

Authorities discovered Trejos’ bones in the back seat of his car on top of Mr Bogar’s three-year-old golden retriever. He reportedly died trying to protect the young dog.

Videos showing the downed power lines that apparently sparked some of Maui’s first fires became key evidence in the search for the cause.

Biden, who has faced criticism over his handling of the disaster, announced a economic relief package on Monday which includes cash payments and temporary housing assistance for survivors.

It was immediately dismissed as too small to have a meaningful impact by some commentators.