Skip to content

Emotional advice for Hawaii from mayor of Paradise

Since the Camp Fire killed 85 people in 2018, Paradise, California has held the record for deadliest US wildfire. But that tragic record has recently been surpassed by the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii.

The former mayor of Paradise, California, Greg Bolin, speaks to BBC News about the challenges of recovery facing the community.

14 August 2023

Hawaii wildfires 2023

Explore More

A cluster of boats is seen circled in red at night on the left with a teary-eyed bearded man on the right of a split screen

Tearful lifeguard recounts off-duty rescue of teen lost at sea

A comet is seen passing through the sky.

Timelapse captures rare comet passing by Hawaii

Scientist picks up lava with shovel

Scientists collect lava from Kilauea volcano eruption

Two satellite images of hurricanes

Two Pacific Ocean hurricanes seen from space

On the left, we see a tree with no leaves. On the right, we see a tree with numerous leaves.

Iconic banyan tree showing signs of life after Maui wildfire

Lava fountaining from long fisures in Kilauea volcano in Hawaii

First images of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupting

Savannah Gankiewicz

New Miss USA crowned after previous winner resigns

Object burns up as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere

Fireball blazes across Hawaii as object falls to Earth

Tom Lowe

Big wave surfer back after near-death wipeout

Plane wheel underwater

Divers film US Navy plane that crashed in Hawaii

A bright pink pond in Hawaii

Watch: Hawaii's mysterious 'Barbie' pink pond

Sound waves of call to Hawaiian Electric

Maui police call electric company to shut down power

Noah talking

Maui wildfires: Noah Tomkinson filmed his family's escape

Police body cam footage of Maui fires

Bodycam video shows Maui police frustrated by road blocks

Cars with fire in the background

New bodycam video shows deadly Hawaii wildfires

Sunrise over Subaru telescope in Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Timelapse captures stunning sunrise over Hawaii

Woman looks at burnt-down home

Emotional Lahaina family visits burnt-down home

Leaves on Lahaina's banyan tree

Lahaina's iconic banyan tree shows signs of life

USS Yorktown in the depths of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii

New footage shows historic World War II shipwrecks

Geologist pouring water on lava sample

Geologists sample lava from Kilauea as it erupts

A huge Christmas tree on a flatbed lorry in font of the US Capitol building

US Capitol Christmas tree arrives in DC

This is the second US Capitol Christmas Tree to come from Alaska.

Man clinging to a cliff being rescued

Moment person clinging to cliff is rescued by helicopter

A 911 call was received for a man stuck and yelling for help, San Francisco officials said.

Ryan Borgwardt

US kayaker who faked own death thought to have fled to Europe

US police appeal for a missing man to come back home for Christmas with his family.

Composite image of Donald Trump and Elon Musk alongside the Starship taking off

Trump joins Musk to watch Starship test launch

The president-elect visited the launch site in Texas to watch the spacecraft's sixth test flight.

Firefighters helping people stuck on ride.

Riders stuck midair for hours on California park ride

The spinning ride left 22 people stranded after it encountered technical difficulties.

Pete, Trump and Pam are next to each other.

A look at Trump's new top team... in 85 seconds

Among the allies the president-elect has chosen to join his administration are contentious figures, including among fellow Republicans.

Meteor lights up the night sky.

Meteor lights up night sky over parts of US and Canada

The American Meteor Society received at least 170 eyewitness reports of the falling star from both countries.

Kennedy is speaking a crowd while Trump looks at him.

Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary

The president-elect has nominated RFK to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Smoke is seen from the top of a building.

Watch: Thick smoke billows from New York skyscraper

Approximately 80 firefighters responded to a blaze in a luxury Manhattan apartment building.

Why is Kamala Harris still asking for campaign donations?

A week after losing the election, Kamala Harris's team are still appealing for funds.

Police officer smashing sunroof of vehicle submerged in pool

Police bodycam shows man being rescued from submerged car

The man told officers he "accidentally stepped on the gas too hard" driving the vehicle into a pool.

Sumi Somaskanda stands on the left and Trump stands on the right.

What a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second term

Republicans have won control of both chambers of Congress, yielding Trump limited congressional oversight for at least 2 years.

A huge cloud of dust sweeps over fields and trees.

Giant wall of dust sweeps across central California

The huge dust storm - also known as a haboob - limited visibility and left many residents in the dark.

Flame and smoke billow over train tracks

Watch: Moment large fire explodes on New York train line

A transformer fire in the Bronx has caused an explosion, suspending train services between New York and New Haven.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Oval Office

‘Welcome back’ - Watch moment Biden congratulates Trump

The president and president-elect shook hands as part of a long-standing tradition signifying the transfer of power.

Biden is on the left and Trump is on the right.

What we can expect from Trump and Biden's meeting

Given all the things they’ve said about each other, Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s meeting could be really awkward.

split screen of building damage and a man

Watch: Drone footage captures Kentucky explosion damage

An "unknown" explosion at factory in Louisville, Kentucky injured 11 people on Tuesday.

Firefighter crew drives down street with burning trees

Crews battle deadly Jennings Creek wildfire

A teenage park ranger was killed while battling the blaze over the weekend.

A large burst of fire is seen breaking out over a street with several cars

Moment vehicle explodes on quiet New York street

Officials are still investigating the cause of the blast, which damaged homes and vehicles.

Truck crashing into parked vehicle narrowly missing worker

Watch: Moment road worker dodges high-speed truck crash

Footage shows a truck crash and almost hit a highway worker on the side of an Interstate in New York.