Personal Stories of Tragedy: Unimaginable Sorrow in Hawaii as Wildfires Take Lives, Becoming the Deadliest in Over a Century

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This tragedy has marked the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century. Below are the deeply personal and painful accounts of those who perished.

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THE LOSS OF A FAMILY

The Tone family, consisting of Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, Salote Takafua, and her son, Tony Takafua, tragically lost their lives in an attempt to escape the roaring flames. Authorities discovered their remains on Thursday, in a vehicle that had been consumed by the fire close to their residence.

A statement from the family conveyed their overwhelming pain, saying, “Words cannot capture the immense grief we are experiencing.”

Lylas Kanemoto, a friend of the Tone family, tearfully acknowledged the painful reality on Sunday.

“We may have found some closure for them, but the overwhelming loss and heartache is too much for many to bear. We must come together as a community, holding each other close, and do everything we can to support our families, friends, and neighbors,” Kanemoto expressed to the AP via text message.

Kanemoto’s anxiety continues as she waits for news about her missing cousin, Glen Yoshino.

“Fearing the worst, we have yet to hear from him, though he would have surely reached out if he could. We’re holding onto hope but bracing for the most painful outcome,” Kanemoto shared.

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A HERO LOST

Geoff Bogar, a retired fire captain, and his close friend Franklin Trejos, who had known each other for 35 years, initially remained in Lahaina to assist others and save Bogar’s property. As the fire rapidly approached on Tuesday afternoon, they realized they had to evacuate.

Both men retreated to their respective vehicles, but Bogar’s car failed to start. In desperation, he broke a window to escape and crawled to safety, where police officers eventually found him and transported him to a hospital.

Tragically, Trejos did not make it.

When Bogar returned to the scene, he discovered the skeletal remains of his 68-year-old friend in the back seat of his car, along with the body of his cherished 3-year-old golden retriever Sam, who Trejos had attempted to shield.

Trejos, originally from Costa Rica, had been a longstanding part of the Bogar family, aiding Shannon Weber-Bogar with her seizures when her husband was away. His presence brought joy and warmth to their lives.

“In taking him, God took a truly wonderful person,” Weber-Bogar lamented.

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