Hell in Hawaii

Wildfire disaster death toll rises to 80 with 1,500 people still missing

- KAREN ROCKETT

THE death toll in the devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui reached at least 80 yesterday as a new blaze triggered more evacuations.

About 1,500 people are still missing and officials believe the wildfires could end up being the deadliest disaster in the state's history.

Sniffer dogs were used to search for the dead as residents were evacuated from the western area of Kaanapali as the flames swept closer. The order to leave came on Friday night, just hours after residents of nearby Lahaina were allowed to briefly return to take stock of the devastation.