Family of Four (4) Beloved Sister. Some of the lives lost in Maui wildfires - USA Trending Blog

Family of Four (4) Beloved Sister. Some of the lives lost in Maui wildfires - USA Trending Blog

Family of Four (4) Beloved Sister. Some of the lives lost in Maui wildfires - USA Trending Blog

A week after wildfires rapidly burned through parts of Maui, destroying most of the historic town of Lahaina, the Hawaiian community is mourning the devastating loss of life from the nation's deadliest blaze in more than a century.

As of Wednesday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said at least 111 lives have been claimed and the death toll is expected to climb as search and rescue crews continue operations. Many family and friends are still waiting for news or are searching for answers on what might have happened to their missing loved ones.

Some estimates showed that more than 1,000 people remain missing or are unaccounted for.

On Tuesday, Maui County released the names of two victims: Lahaina residents Buddy Jantoc, 79, and Robert Dyckman, 74. They were the first two victims to be publicly identified by authorities. Another three victims have already been identified but their names will not be publicly released until families have been notified, the county said.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the families who are beginning to receive notifications about their loved ones," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. "As a community, we offer our prayers of comfort in this most difficult time."

Other victims have been identified by family and friends, sharing the stories of their loved ones.

Buddy Jantoc, 79

Buddy Jantoc was a beloved, local musician who was known for his warmth and generosity, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported. Nicknamed "Mr. Aloha," his family said Jantoc had toured the world when he was younger and loved playing bass guitar.

He was living in the Hale Mahaolu Eono in Lahaina when the wildfires destroyed the 34-unit senior housing complex, according to the website.

Jantoc’s niece, Kawehi Paio, told the Associated Press that music was a key part in her uncle’s life. She said Jantoc was a musical fixture who played at local hotels in Lahaina and several schools that teach the hula dance.

"My uncle was known for playing music across the world and the island of Maui for 30-plus years," she said.

Paio called her uncle a "happy-go-lucky guy" whose "smile stood out. He was always smiling," the Associated Press reported.

On a Facebook page dedicated to Jantoc, friends, and family posted photos and videos of him, including various local performances that he took part in.