In the aftermath of a devastating wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui, Sharlene Rabang, alongside her beloved calico cat, undertook a harrowing journey to safety that spanned an entire day, including a night spent sleeping in her car. Arriving at a relative’s abode on another island, the 78-year-old, already weakened from her ordeal, succumbed to her ailments nearly a month later, despite her daughter’s immediate efforts to treat what seemed like flu or asthma symptoms.
Initially, her passing was not linked to the wildfire. It took the perseverance of her family to highlight the role of the dense smoke she inhaled while escaping the flames. The Honolulu medical examiner, upon reevaluation in November, added wildfire smoke as a contributing factor to her death.
The tragic incident underscores a broader issue exacerbated by climate change, where natural disasters are intensifying and increasingly impacting vulnerable populations. Those at higher risk include the elderly, individuals with reduced mobility or health issues, and lower-income groups. In the Maui blaze, for instance, the majority of the casualties were senior citizens aged 65 and above.
The grief of losing loved ones is profound for the families affected, especially during holiday seasons. Lorine Lopes, Rabang’s daughter, expressed her heartache, emphasizing that her mother’s life was cut short by the fire’s consequences.
Research conducted by a team of wildfire experts in the United States indicated a significant rise in the number of highly vulnerable individuals living in fire-prone areas across Washington, Oregon, and California. The devastating fire that obliterated Paradise, California, in 2018, took the lives of many elderly residents, some of whom faced physical or cognitive challenges that hindered their evacuation efforts.
The urgency of the situation is reflected in 911 calls recorded during the Maui wildfire, revealing the dire circumstances faced by the elderly. Some were unable to evacuate without assistance, while others could only bid farewell to loved ones over the phone as their homes were engulfed.
The tragedy also highlighted the plight of residents in a low-income senior apartment complex that was consumed by the blaze. Despite the independence of the tenants, questions arose about the adequacy of evacuation measures.
Efforts to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable populations can include community engagement to assess their needs, planning for necessary transportation during evacuations, and establishing effective communication methods. Erica Fleishman, from the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, emphasized the potential for societal and political commitment to support these at-risk groups, as such disasters are expected to continue.
Rabang’s own story is one of resilience and determination. Even in the face of previous health challenges, she maintained her independence, often rejecting the use of a wheelchair and enduring pain with remarkable fortitude. When the fire struck, her son Brandon defied a police barricade to ensure her evacuation. They escaped the intense heat and smoke, but the ordeal had taken its toll.
Her subsequent hospitalization for respiratory failure and other complications led to a decline in her health. Despite brief returns home, her condition worsened, and ultimately, the decision was made to withdraw life support.
The initial oversight in her death certificate, which omitted the wildfire as a cause, had significant emotional and financial implications for the family. Through persistent advocacy, the medical examiner revised the cause of death, allowing Rabang to be officially recognized as a victim of the fire. For Lopes, this acknowledgment was a bittersweet victory that allowed her to begin the grieving process.
In a testament to her enduring spirit, Rabang’s story is a stark reminder of the human toll of natural disasters and the need for proactive measures to safeguard the most vulnerable among us.
Sharlene Rabang, a 78-year-old woman with a history of cancer, COVID, and high blood pressure, died nearly a month after fleeing a wildfire in Maui, Hawaii, with her calico cat. Initially, her death was not attributed to the wildfire, but upon her family’s insistence, the medical examiner later acknowledged that smoke inhalation was a contributing factor. The incident highlights the vulnerability of older individuals and those with health issues to natural disasters, which have become more intense due to climate change. Studies have shown a significant increase in the number of vulnerable people living in wildfire-prone areas. The narrative also touches upon the challenges faced by families in getting recognition for their loved ones as victims of such disasters, which can have both emotional and financial implications.
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