Maui

Maui is Open – Diaster Relief Lahaina From Maui Fires

Maui is open according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen.

Maui Visitors

Words can not describe the destruction, loss of property, and lives that this storm raged on Maui. While Lahaina was burned to the ground, and a crazy number of lives were lost in the fire. Upcountry had its own fires causing damage and burning down homes and acres.

My daughter has a couple of horses and got the call to help move 16 horses in Kula out of the path of raging fires, winds were blowing 65 mph. So off we went to borrow a truck and trailer and so started the next couple of days getting involved in any way we could help. With the help of others, she ended up moving 16 horses to safety.

Many of our friend’s homes burned down, lots of lives were lost, and they are still counting. But you do see amazing people stepping up to save lives. Maui firefighters, many of our close friends lost their homes but kept on fighting fires and helping people. A week has passed, and so many stories of the local community, churches, firemen, and companies like Fresh Fish Maui collecting propane tanks, and gas delivering by boats from Lahaina to families stranded on the west side of the disaster zone still to this day. Relief is pouring in from so many charitable foundations so good to see. People of the world love Maui.

I moved to Lahaina when I was 19, you can see the Pioneer Inn, after a morning surf it was hot pancakes and a back rub from our waitress at Pioneer Inn. So many fond memories of Lahaina. Can’t wrap my brain around it that it’s gone.

Ok, these guys are old family friends and heroes, Jim and Riley Coons. One of their boats and their daughter’s home burned down. They own the Trilogy Excursions. All the boats in the harbor burnt up in smoke. I have to add Denver, son-in-law, also started recusing people with Riley and their crew off of Front Street with their boats. Winds were driving up to 70 mph. Their other boats pulled up as close to the reef as they could, then rode smaller boats in to pick up people that chose to swim to safety. They took them to Lanai or Maalaea being everything was closed down. Trilogy was first on the scene, but many other boats came to help stranded people to safety. They have been delivering supplies and picking up people that are stranded. So many people stepping up to make a difference. So many stories of individuals putting their lives on the line to help people caught in the fire.

It was Maui’s local community the first couple of days raising much-needed supplies and delivering them by sea to the West Side of Maui. These operations are still in process, but the roads are open to the local community.

I am really proud of my family that has stepped up with the relief efforts on Maui. My daughter in San Clemente is working with a group she started to ship supplies to Maui that are in transit now. My oldest son Micah is really involved in the surf industry and has been raising support by gathering supplies, and donations, and assisting transport and unloading ships from Oahu to the west side of Maui. My daughter Meili got a call from The Maui Aids Foundation. They needed help with organizing supplies and delivering them to victims on the west side. So now she is assisting Maui Aids Foundation.

There are many organizations in Hawaii that have stepped up to support Maui fire victims and relief efforts. Our company Hawaii Life has a charitable Fund that is supporting Hawaii Community Foundation, or Maui Strong Fund you can donate to. I have been getting donations from friends through Paypal and Venmo from the mainland and Europe. I have been able to donate their gifts directly to firemen and Maui Ohana’s that lost their homes through Go-Fundme. I feel that it’s better to support Hawaii Funds directly where most of the donations go where it’s needed.

Maui is open

Lastly, get the word out that Maui is open. Our local businesses and families are hurting. Lahaina is closed and we are grieving and respecting the closure in Lahaina, but the rest of the island is open. Spread the word, and support Maui businesses and families.

Couple of links that are safe to give to.

Calvary Chapel Maui works directly with victims of fire

Maui Strong working with Hawaii Life

Maui Food Bank

Aloha Steve