Hawaii Governor says state is NOT pursuing criminal probe into Maui wildfires that killed at least 111, as more victims are identified

Administrators of a senior housing complex in Maui, where at least three elderly people died in the wildfires, say some residents killed chose not to evacuate after authorities said the fires were “100 percent under control.”

Four residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono, a retirement home destroyed in the disaster, were left behind as their neighbors fled as fires swept across Lahaina last Tuesday, killing at least 111 people.

Officials have so far identified only five of the 111 people killed in the disaster. Two of them – Buddy Jantoc, 79, and Virginia Dofa, 90 – lived in Hale Mahaolu Eono.

A third victim, Joseph Schilling, 67, was also a resident. Schilling, who has not been named by authorities but confirmed as a victim by his family, died while helping others evacuate the housing complex.

The allegation that some may have been left behind due to confusing reporting will increase scrutiny against authorities accused of failing to issue proper warnings about the approaching danger. An investigation is underway into the cause of the fires and response, but the state governor has said it is not criminal.

Virginia Dofa, pictured 90 left on a missing persons poster after the fires, lived in Hale Mahaolu Eono. Officials have since said she died in the fires

Buddy Jantoc, 79, another resident of the complex, also passed away. Hale Mahaolu Eono managers say some residents killed chose not to evacuate after authorities said the fires were ‘100% under control’

Four residents of Hale Mahaolu Eono, a retirement home destroyed in the disaster, were left behind as their neighbors fled as fires swept across Lahaina last Tuesday, killing at least 111 people.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has ordered the state’s Attorney General Anne Lopez to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the cause of the fire and subsequent response, including claims that there were insufficient warnings.

But he has since said the investigation “is in no way a criminal investigation.”

The fire that engulfed Maui is believed to have started shortly before 7 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8. Authorities had said it was “100% under control” at 9 a.m., but a flare-up spiraled out of control a few hours later.

Maui residents have also claimed that warning systems failed to notify them of the danger even when their homes were flooded.

A statement from Hale Mahaolu Eono on Thursday said that while many residents evacuated the complex in Lahaina at 11:30 a.m. — after managers decided to leave despite the lack of an official warning — four chose to stay.

“We don’t quite know why those four residents stayed,” the statement said. “Maybe they decided to stay because they heard warnings in previous years that didn’t cause so much devastation.

They may also have heard the news that Maui officials stated the fire was “100% under control.”

Grant Chun, executive director of Hale Mahaolu, added, “We are deeply saddened by reports of the deaths of Hale Mahaolu tenants in the recent wildfires in Maui.

An aerial view of Lahaina shows the magnitude of the devastation caused by the wildfires in Hawaii

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has directed the state’s Attorney General Anne Lopez to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the cause of the fire and subsequent response, but he has since said the investigation ” is in no way a criminal investigation’.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with their family and loved ones. The safety of our tenants has always been our number one priority. We are here to provide all necessary help and support during this difficult time.”

Several lawsuits have already been filed against Hawaiian Electric, the utility that powers the island.

The lawsuits allege the company could be responsible after it failed to cut power to lines damaged by a passing hurricane and may have fueled the fires.

The death toll was revised to 111 on Wednesday, though officials say the number is likely to rise significantly as searches continue. It is feared that many of the dead may be children.

The other three victims named by authorities are Robert Dyckman, 74, Melva Benjamin, 71, and Alfredo Galinato, 79.