Hawaii Officials Identify Final Victim of Deadly Maui Wildfire
In a tragic announcement, Hawaii officials have finally identified the last victim of the deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century. The remains of Lydia Coloma, 70, were the final set awaiting positive identification by forensic scientists at the Maui Police Department. This identification brings closure to her family members after months of extensive analysis due to the severe damage to the remains.
Lydia Coloma was described as a mother, wife, and well-respected community member by Maui Police officer Steven Landsiedel. Tragically, eight members of Coloma’s family were also killed in the wildfires that struck Maui in early August 2023, according to a report by the nonprofit newsroom Honolulu Civil Beat.
With Coloma’s positive identification, she has been removed from the list of missing people tracked by the Maui Police. However, three individuals are still classified as missing due to the wildfires: Paul Kasprzycki, 76; Robert Owens, 65; and Elmer Lee Stevens, 73, according to Maui County’s credible Lahaina fire missing list.
The wildfires that ravaged Maui were fueled by ferocious winds from Hurricane Dora, which resulted in the fast-moving fires leveling entire neighborhoods and displacing hundreds of residents. The historic town of Lahaina on the western coast of Maui was particularly devastated, with extensive destruction and near-total annihilation.
The death toll from the Maui wildfires reached at least 100, making them the deadliest in the US in over a century. Crews spent days digging through the rubble of homes, businesses, and historic landmarks to recover the remains of those lost in the fires. Research from the National Fire Protection Association confirms the magnitude of this tragedy.
Even five months after the wildfire, more than 5,400 people remain displaced in hotel rooms, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green. In response to the housing issue, efforts are underway to lease long-term rentals to accommodate those affected by the disaster.
Maui County officials are urging anyone who believes that someone is still unaccounted for to contact the police. They continue to release information on individuals who have had missing-person reports filed for them.
In conclusion, Hawaii officials have identified the final victim of the devastating Maui wildfires. The positive identification of Lydia Coloma brings closure to her family members, who have also endured the loss of eight other family members in the tragedy. The wildfires, fueled by hurricane winds, caused extensive destruction and claimed at least 100 lives. Efforts are ongoing to support those who remain displaced and to ensure that all individuals affected by the disaster are accounted for..