News of the Maui wildfires sickened me when I saw the coverage on TV. The loss of human and animal life, as well as the vegetation is unimaginable. With its beautiful beaches, historical attractions and unique culture, Lahaina was one of the best places to explore on the island. I had the opportunity to visit Lahaina while vacationing 18 months ago in Wailea, a mere 30 miles down the coast. Now, I wish I had gone up there because the place will never be the same.

The wildfires are the deadliest in the United States since 1918, and make up the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since it became a state in 1959. On Monday, the death toll was near 100, and it is sure to rise.

Apparently, no emergency sirens sounded and many Lahaina residents learned about the blaze from neighbors who were running down the street or seeing it for themselves. It was suggested that warning signals typically sent to mobile phones could have been affected by mass power outages reported on Maui. Island residents have gotten insensitive calls from real estate investors looking to buy their property. I don’t understand how or why people can be so cruel.