MAUI, HAWAII: The disastrous Maui wildfires, considered the deadliest in modern American history, have killed at least 93 people and destroyed much of the ancient town of Lahaina.
The family members of Hawaii television broadcaster Jonathan Masaki Shiroma are among those killed in the catastrophic wildfires. The Lahaina native told Fox Live Now that the news of family members' deaths affected him like a "gut punch."
Shiroma further reported that one of his relatives is still missing as a result of the rapidly spreading Maui wildfires.
"You hear the words of devastation and then you realize that the hometown that, as a child, (you were) playing in the cane fields and near what was the Pioneer Mill, you know, and then the hearing that family members lost their lives as they tried to leave the flames that just engulfed so quickly, and one still remained missing – it becomes so personal," he said according to Daily Mail.
Who is Jonathan Masaki Shiroma?
Shiroma is presently employed with Hawaii News Now and lives in Honolulu. He is also a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel who has previously covered multiple wildfires while also serving with the California National Guard.
Shiroma would not share the identities of his deceased family members but vowed to continue praying for everyone on his home island of Maui.
"It's just heartbreaking, the prayers continue for everyone on Maui and Lahaiana as loss continues. The people of Hawaii no matter what ethnicity you are, have such a sense of Ohana," he said.
The broadcaster then reflected on his childhood, stating, "Growing up on Maui, my grandparents have their roots in the very area that was destroyed. When I look back as a child, it was a very simple plantation town."
"I remember running in the backyard of my great grandparent's house and they had this huge mango tree and a fishpond. The cousins, we would all get together, that's [how] I remember my Maui. Enjoying the fact that we grew up on this beautiful island," he continued.
Shiroma posted several photos on Instagram last week depicting the flora of the Lahania area before the devastation hit the town.
"My heart mourns today. Found out four family members have perished in the Lahaina fires. Please keep my Ohana in your prayers. Tell people you love them, appreciate them, and be kind. Life can change in the blink of an eye," he wrote in the caption.
How many people have died in Maui wildfires?
According to BBC, 93 people have perished on the Hawaiian island of Maui as of Sunday. Rescue workers are now tasked with combing the debris for corpses.
Teams have been marking residences with a bright orange X to document an initial search and alerting HR when human remains are discovered.
According to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, just 3 per cent of the search area has been covered by authorities, and the fatality toll is projected to rise further.
Pelletier stated that identifying the deceased is difficult because "we pick up the remains and they fall apart."
What started the Maui wildfires?
The source of the destructive wildfires that erupted on Tuesday, August 8, is unknown, but experts say they were fueled by a combination of dry vegetation, low humidity, and deadly mountain winds brought by Hurricane Dora.
According to the New York Times, one expert hypothesis is that the flame that finally reached Lahaina was sparked by active electrical wires that collapsed amid severe gusts. The flames were particularly severe on Maui's western shore, which is normally drier and receives less rain.
