Hawaii woman slams tourists for swimming ‘in same waters that our people just died in’

Hawaii fires: Maui resident discusses return of tourists A Hawaii woman has berated tourists for continuing to enjoy the popular holiday destination as wildfires claim the lives of nearly 100 people. Fires ripped through the historic city of Lahaina, Maui last week, levelling homes and businesses as well as scorching the surrounding land. Officials have now confirmed that 93 people have died, with the number expected to increase as recovery efforts continue. But despite the horror unfolding on the idyllic USA islands, tourists have continued to enjoy their holidays in unaffected areas. One Maui resident told the BBC in an interview that she was appalled by tourists continuing their vacations as normal while local people perished in the fires. For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to Daily Express US READ MORE: Maui snorkelling company apologises after backlash for running tourist trip [LATEST] The woman was upset with tourists who continued their holidays despite the tragedy Fires levelled Lahaina, a historic area in Maui The unnamed woman said: ‘The same waters that our people just died in three days ago are the same waters the very next day these visitors – tourists – were swimming in. ‘That says a lot about where their heart and mind in throughout all of this and where our heart and mind is now. She continued: ‘You don’t see our people swimming, snorkelling, surfing. ‘Nobody is having fun in tragedy and continuing their lives as if nothing has happened.’ SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A woman cradles a cat after recovering them from the fire Remarking on the stark differences between the tourist and local populations, she said: ‘There is two Hawaii’s right now. ‘There is the Hawaii we’re living in and the Hawaii they’re living in, they’re visiting in.’ The archipelago is no stranger to wildfires, but the recent spate has now become the worst wildfire in US history in terms of death toll. According to the US Drought Monitor, about 14 percent of the state is suffering from severe or moderate drought, while 80 percent of Hawaii is classed as abnormally dry. Trending