Family mourns mother and sister named as 102nd victims of Lahaina disaster

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The family of the 102nd Lahaina fire victim, 68-year-old Claudette Heermance, said the mother and grandmother suffered severe burns to their faces, hands and legs while trying to escape the Aug. 8 wildfire.

“When she was on the scooter, she could feel all the embers because the tailwind was blowing at her about 60 miles an hour. She said the wind was strong,” said Heermance’s brother, Claude Huerta. “All the hot embers hit her, they stuck to her because she was really hot.”

Claude and Sonia Huerta didn’t know if their big sister Claudette – or “Mamo,” as she was called – had survived the wildfires until she called them from Straub Medical Center in Honolulu.

She told them that as the fire spread on August 8, she panicked and left her senior living complex on Wainee Street on her mobility scooter and headed toward Front Street.

Forest fire disaster on Maui

“So it’s a miracle that the paramedics are right there,” said Claude Huerta.

“They took her away and she said her scooter was starting to melt.”

The 68-year-old had suffered severe burns, but surgery was risky as she suffered from other health problems, including cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

“And the doctor prepared me for this,” said Sonia Huerta.

“There is a chance because it depends on the combination. She may survive the operation, but her health may deteriorate and she may eventually die.”

Heermance underwent two operations and was later transferred to a hospice.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office recently confirmed that she died on March 28 as a result of her injuries sustained on August 8, which were complicated by her underlying health issues.

Claude Huerta had the opportunity to see his sister a few weeks before her death.

“Before we left, I said goodbye to her,” Claude Huerta said. “And I said, ‘You know what, Mamo? Whatever God has planned for you, just go with it, because I don’t know.'”

Heermance had five children and was the eldest of five siblings.

Just days before the fire, they were together and took a photo with the urn of their youngest brother Cyrus in their Lahaina apartment.

“It happened to be the last family post together,” said Sonia Huerta. “For me it’s a symbol. We will never be seen together like that again because two of the people in the picture are now dead.”

She added: “You never know. Appreciate each other. Love each other now.”

A tribute to Heermance is planned for October 4 at Hulupoe Beach on her home island of Lanai.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.