Search

A state official in Hawaii says the search-and-rescue operation in Maui is taking painstaking efforts to finds survivors and victims of last week's deadly mass fire. Jeff Hickman is the director of public affairs for the Hawaii Department of Defense. He said on NBC’s “Today” show that search teams are going street by street and will soon enter buildings. The Hawaii National Guard has over 110 personnel on the ground and FEMA is there with about 400 personnel. As a result, search-and-rescue efforts are expected to go a little faster. The number of confirmed deaths stood at 96 at 9 p.m. Sunday. That is according to Maui County. That number is expected to rise.