Adelaide woman Shirley McPherson launches desperate search for dad Alfie Rawlings feared to have died in Maui wildfires

An Adelaide woman is fearing the worst for her father, who she has not heard from for five days. His home was one of the first to be destroyed in the Maui fires.

An Adelaide nurse has launched a desperate search to find her father, who is feared to have died in the devastating Maui wildfires.

Alfie Rawlings was last seen at Hale Mahaolu Eono, at Lahaina, a group of assisted living units that was one of the first buildings to perish in the fire.

His daughter, Shirley McPherson, who lives in Adelaide, is now desperately trying to find his whereabouts after not hearing from him for five days.

She told 7News she feared the worst as there was nothing left of his home.

“It’s completely flattened, it’s just turned to ash, so I presume that he’s died,” she said.

“It’s the not knowing.”

More than 2200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless.

The wildfires have now claimed 93 lives as rescuers begin to sift through the ruins for any signs of life.

But Ms McPherson said the images of rescue efforts were distressing.

“They’re walking all over all the stuff and you think ‘that could be my dad you’re stepping all over,’” she said.

Alfie Rawlings is missing in Hawaii – last seen at Hale Mahaolu Elua assisted living units. Picture: Facebook

Alfie Rawlings is missing in Hawaii – last seen at Hale Mahaolu Elua assisted living units. Picture: Facebook

If her worst fears are confirmed, Ms McPherson may have to provide a DNA test to see if it matches with any remains.

However, she was holding out hope that he had sought shelter elsewhere.

“I’m hoping that’s what happened,” she said.

Ms McPherson was leaving no stone unturned to find her father, posting to several groups on Facebook to try and find out any information.

“My dad is still missing. Did any of the residents get out. Can anyone tell me please,” she wrote.

Several others responded to Ms McPherson’s post, stating that they also hadn’t heard from their loved ones.

The units where Mr Rawlings was living. Picture: Facebook

An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

Burned cars and destroyed buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 10, 2023. Photo by Paula Ramon/AFP

“My great grandma lived there as well, still trying to find her,” one person wrote.

“I’m still searching for my grandpa that lived there as well,” another said.

But others have had more success, providing a glimmer of hope for Ms McPherson.

“My dad lived there too – just heard from him late Thursday night,” one woman wrote.

“I spoke to my dad for about 45 seconds. Somehow he went to a cousins friends house towards Kaanapali.

“I sent pic of your dad to my auntie (sic) and cousin through messenger – they will see it when they have service.”

A Red Cross volunteer also offered his assistance.

“We’re so sorry to hear this,” he wrote.

“If you are unable to locate or connect with a loved one who has been impacted by a recent disaster, please call 1800 RED CROSS.

“Provide as much detail as possible to assist us in potentially locating your missing loved one.”

Hawaiian authorities have begun a probe into the handling of the fire, with residents saying there was no warning.

“The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack,” local Vilma Reed said.

“You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us.”

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the fires were “the largest natural disaster Hawaii has ever experienced” and would “take an incredible amount of time to recover from”.