According to officials, over 100 people have been confirmed dead from the wildfires, and 1000 others are still missing.
The search for victims isn't even halfway done, but the destruction caused by Maui's flames defies comprehension as questions about their cause - and officials' response - increase.
Last week's disaster killed at least 111 people, including children. And the tragedy is set to worsen, with most of the burn zone remaining to be searched, according to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier on Wednesday.
"No one has ever seen anything like this that is alive today - not this size, not this number, not this volume," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said on Wednesday. "And we're not finished yet."
Crews are anticipated to spend days combing through the charred remains of over 2,000 burned-out homes and businesses. According to the police chief, the duty is profoundly personal for some.
"Realize that the responders who are going out there are recovering loved ones and members of their families," he said.
Meanwhile, while the source of the fires has not been identified, Hawaiian Electric, Maui's primary power company, is under fire for failing to shut down power lines when high winds caused dangerous fire conditions. A business operating a Maui sensor network claims to have spotted severe electricity system issues hours before the fires began.
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