Two Lahaina fire victims identified as death toll is at 106 | News, Sports, Jobs
Women hug after digging through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Two Lahaina residents were identified Tuesday among the 106 confirmed dead in the West Maui wildfire that broke out a week ago.
Maui County and the Maui Police Department confirmed the identities of Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release Tuesday. “As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort in this most difficult time.”
The Maui Police Department and assisting partners have been working to ensure that proper protocols are followed while notifying the families of the victims involved.
Maui County’s priority is to handle this situation with the utmost sensitivity and respect for those who are grieving, the county said.
Out of the 106 victims found, two have been identified with next of kin notified and three others have been identified but next of kin have not yet been notified, the county said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deployed a team of coroners, pathologists and technicians along with exam tables, X-ray units and other equipment to identify victims and process remains, said Jonathan Greene, the agency’s deputy assistant secretary for response.
“It’s going to be a very, very difficult mission,” Greene said. “And patience will be incredibly important because of the number of victims.”
Crews using cadaver dogs have scoured about 32 percent of the area, the county said in a statement Tuesday.
Family members can provide DNA samples to assist in identification at the Family Assistance Center, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center at 275 Uhu St.
As officials work to identify victims and search for others still missing, Gov. Josh Green announced the reopening of access to West Maui via Maalaea after two initial attempts to restore access were cut short.
Green said Tuesday that access to West Maui via the Lahaina Bypass would reopen at 6 p.m. for residents, first responders and employees of West Maui.
Beginning today at 6 a.m., the road will be open to motorists daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be limited to residents, first responders and employees of West Maui.
State officials are urging the public to access West Maui only if necessary to live, work or volunteer.
“We are prioritizing the reopening of this passages to ensure access for first responders, medical professionals, residents of West Maui, and the public,” Green said in a news release.
The “impact zone” remains off-limits due to the active search and recovery efforts, the state said.
The state is also asking the public to allow time for those who have the highest need for access, such as those seeking medical assistance, returning West Maui residents, first responders and essential workers.
Motorists should expect delays because some areas still contain debris and the highway will be restricted to one lane at certain areas.
The county tried to reopen access to residents via Maalaea on Friday, but closed it down after an accident and people entering unauthorized areas of Lahaina, the county said at the time. MPD tried to roll out a placard access program on Monday but also pulled it after saying “nonessential individuals and non-Maui residents” were trying to get placards.
Also on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden would visit Hawaii “as soon as we can” but that he doesn’t want his presence to interrupt recovery and cleanup efforts. During a stop in Milwaukee to highlight his economic agenda, Biden pledged that “every asset they need will be there for them.”
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