Hawaii governor: Fewer people died in Maui wildfires, number reduced to 97

Fewer people died in last month’s Maui wildfires than previously believed, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) announced Friday.

The death toll was revised to 97 from 115 after federal fire investigators assisted local authorities in identifying remains, Green said.

“Thank God, fewer people passed away,” he said in a video message shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

That toll could still rise again, however. Green said there are currently 31 open cases that are being investigated — and only 74 of the dead have been identified.