[Photo] Even Banyan Tree Succumbs to Fire... The Scene of Hawaii's 'Worst Wildfire'

93 Dead Due to Wildfire... Property Damage Also 8 Trillion Won
Over 2,000 Buildings Collapsed and Thousands Displaced

A massive wildfire that broke out on Maui Island in Hawaii, USA, is being described as "the worst wildfire experienced in a century." As of the 13th (local time), the death toll has reached 93, indicating severe human casualties, and property damage, including buildings and vehicles, amounts to 8 trillion won. Criticism has been raised that the local government was inadequate in disaster preparedness and that the response after the fire broke out was excessively slow, which exacerbated the damage.

The wildfire, which started on the 8th, shook Maui Island. Especially in the Lahaina area in the northwest of Maui Island, where the damage was concentrated, the burned area totaled 2,170 acres (8.78 km²). The famous local landmark, the largest banyan tree in the United States, located in the Lahaina area, could not escape the flames. This tree, over 18 meters tall, was brought from India and planted in 1873, making it the largest banyan tree in the U.S., beloved by residents and tourists for the wide shade it provided. Although it could not avoid the wildfire, it is assessed that the tree has not fallen and its roots are still holding strong.

The burned Banyan Tree in the Lahaina area due to the wildfire on the 10th [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The burned Banyan Tree in the Lahaina area due to the wildfire on the 11th [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The largest banyan tree in the United States located in Lahaina, photographed in 2018 [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The scale of property damage from the wildfire currently approaches $6 billion (about 7.99 trillion won). The Baldwin Home Museum, the oldest house on Maui built in the 1830s, has turned to ashes. In the West Maui area alone, over 2,200 buildings have collapsed, of which 86% are identified as residential homes. Along the coast, collapsed buildings, burned vehicles, and trees damaged by the wildfire can be easily seen.

Coastal view of the Lahaina area in Hawaii, photographed on the 11th [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The view of Lahaina, Hawaii, taken on the 13th [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 12th, a volunteer is assessing the damage in the Lahaina area of Hawaii. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the 11th, the coastline of Lahaina, Hawaii, suffered wildfire damage [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 11th, residents of Lahaina, Hawaii, were seen looking devastated as they gazed at the coastal town affected by the wildfire. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The wildfire has caused thousands of displaced people in the Lahaina area. The number of evacuees needing shelters exceeds 4,500, and the number of missing persons, whose contact has been lost or whereabouts are unknown, is estimated to be around 1,000. According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 13th, there are widespread reports locally that relief supplies provided by private volunteer organizations are proving more helpful than government response and support.

A line of vehicles is continuing to leave the Lahaina area in Hawaii, which was affected by wildfires on the 11th.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 12th, volunteers carrying relief supplies arrived at Malaea Bay in Maui, Hawaii, and unloaded the supplies near the Lahaina area.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Volunteers unloading relief supplies intended for the Lahaina area in Hawaii on the 12th. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the 12th, volunteers are sorting relief supplies in a parking lot in the Lahaina area of Hawaii. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The wildfire damage on Maui Island, Hawaii, is causing great distress among local residents. Hundreds of residents still remain in the western areas of Maui, including Lahaina, relying on each other to endure the hardships. Even if their homes were not damaged by the wildfire, they have become isolated due to power and internet communication outages, and they are in a difficult situation as generators, gasoline, drinking water, and food supplies are running low. Although U.S. President Joe Biden declared Hawaii a federal disaster area on the 10th and promised rapid recovery support, foreign media report that locals do not feel the support reaching them. On Sunday, the 13th, churches in Hawaii held services and masses for the deceased, injured, and missing persons.

On the 13th, a couple is embracing each other at a hotel near Lahaina, Hawaii.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 13th, residents of the Lahaina area were hugging each other and crying inside a church in Kahului, Hawaii. [Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

On the 13th, Lahaina residents shed tears at a church in Kahului, Hawaii. [Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

On the 13th, believers are praying at a church in Kapalua, Hawaii. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 13th, worshippers are praying at a church in Wailuku, central Maui, Hawaii. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.