Five members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints killed in Maui fires, Church says
Aug 12, 2023, 6:41 PM | Updated: 6:59 pm
Destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023. (Paula Ramon/AFP via Getty Images)
(Paula Ramon/AFP via Getty Images)
MAUI, Hawaii — Five members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have died in the Maui fires, church officials confirmed Saturday. Four of the five killed were from the same family.
In a news release, the church said Latter-day Saints in Maui are aiding charities and families are opening their homes to those displaced by the fires. “Church leaders are actively working to secure alternate shelter options,” the release said.
Church leaders said they have converted meetinghouses in the Kahului and Kahului West Stakes into temporary shelters, and that those locations have water, food, and other necessities “all available for anyone, regardless of religious affiliation.”
They also added that “Church members are also delivering baby formula, canned food, propane, gasoline and other critical supplies to people in need.”
According to the release, the church is delivering supplies to Maui from the bishops’ storehouse in Honolulu. Additional support from the church headquarters in Salt Lake City is also on its way and will arrive in the coming days.
There was no additional information provided on the identities of those who died in the Maui fires.
Bonneville International Corporation, the company that owns KSL NewsRadio, is a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
