“Family of Four Dies in Tragic Lahaina Fire, Community Mourns”

A family of four tragically died in their car while attempting to escape a wildfire that swept through the town of Lahaina in Hawaii. The victims were identified as Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, their daughter Salote Takafua, and her son Tony. The death toll from the fires has now risen to 93. As officials continue to assess the damage, only a small portion of Lahaina has been searched so far. The community came together to mourn and pray at a local coffee house, with survivors sharing their experiences and seeking support for the future. Temporary housing is being arranged for displaced residents. By Sophie Mann For Dailymail.Com reported

Relatives and friends are in a state of mourning as they grieve the tragic loss of a family of four who perished in their vehicle while attempting to escape the devastating flames that consumed the peaceful coastal town of Lahaina last week. The family has been identified as Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, their adult daughter Salote Takafua, and her son, Tony Takafua. Their lifeless bodies were discovered on Thursday inside a burnt-out car near their residence. The death toll from the merciless fires has now reached 93, as authorities continue to assess the extent of the destruction caused by the fierce inferno.

Officials have reported that only a mere 3 percent of Lahaina has been searched thus far, as local residents gathered in a church to offer prayers for the first time since the fires ravaged their community. Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone were found deceased in their vehicle on Thursday as they tried to escape the relentless blaze that consumed nearly all of Lahaina. Salote Takafua, along with her son Tony, also lost their lives in the tragic incident. The surviving family members of the deceased expressed their immeasurable grief, stating, “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 magnitude of our grief is indescribable, and their memories will forever remain etched in our hearts.”

The deceased family had been long-time residents of Lahaina, residing just below the Lahainaluna School. On Sunday morning, members of the grieving community gathered at the Maui Coffee Attic in Wailuku to mourn and pray, marking their first gathering since the wildfires devastated their town. Leading the service was Pastor Arza Brown, whose usual place of worship, Grace Baptist Church, was tragically destroyed in the wildfire. Despite the adversity, a significant number of individuals attended the service in the makeshift holy setting, coming together to pray for the departed and seek solace amidst an uncertain future.

Among the crowd filling the local coffee house were young parents, elderly couples, and traumatized survivors who shared their experiences and discussed the way forward. Small children clung to their mothers and sought comfort from their fathers, as adults contemplated the next steps for their families. The survivors attended the Sunday church service alongside their grieving community, finding strength in unity during this challenging time.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced on Sunday that efforts were underway to provide temporary housing for displaced Lahaina residents. He stated, “Some individuals will be accommodated in hotels today, and a larger number will be accommodated tomorrow and in the following days.” The government has secured 500 rooms for this purpose and will also utilize rental homes to house those who are temporarily homeless. Airbnb has generously offered several short-term rentals for extended periods, ensuring that people have a place to call home for months.

Governor Green, while touring the devastation on the historic Front Street of Lahaina, acknowledged that this disaster is the most severe natural calamity that Hawaii has ever faced. He emphasized the importance of support and assistance for those affected, stating, “Our focus now is to reunite people when we can, provide them with housing and healthcare, and then turn towards the arduous task of rebuilding.” In West Maui alone, over 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed, with residential properties accounting for 86 percent of the total. The estimated damage across the island amounts to nearly $6 billion, making it a prolonged recovery process.

Senator Mazie Hirono, who surveyed the aftermath of the fires on Maui, expressed her sorrow and concern for the affected residents. She remarked, “The scenes of devastation will forever stay with me. We are currently in a period of mourning and loss as we continue to search for those who are still unaccounted for.” As the death toll in Lahaina rises to 93, the community stands united, supporting one another amidst the ruins left by the catastrophic wildfires.

In addition to the fires in Lahaina, there have been two other ongoing fires on Maui, with no reported fatalities thus far. These fires have affected the Kihei area in south Maui and the mountainous Upcountry communities. Fortunately, a fourth fire in the Kaanapali coastal community was successfully extinguished by firefighting crews. The devastation caused by the fires has prompted individuals like Peg Alm to step forward and offer aid. Alm, who was forced to evacuate her home in Kuhei, has joined the relief efforts after witnessing the heartbreaking images of destruction. She expressed her sorrow, stating, “This is like the soul of the island has been torn apart.” The tight-knit community of Lahaina remains resilient, determined to rebuild and restore their beloved town..