Early portraits of Maui wildfire victims, many older, begin to emerge

FILE PHOTO: A damaged vehicle is pictured in the fire ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

(Reuters) -Donna Gomes, 71, lived her entire life in Lahaina, where friends knew her as "the bull" for her strong-willed nature. Joseph Schilling, 66, enjoyed hunting for bullet shells and was known by his loved ones for making delicious sugar toast.

Both died last week in the wildfires that scorched Maui and were among the first victims identified by authorities and family members in the heart-wrenching days afterward.