Barbara

One of our favorite memories from Maui was a trip by Trilogy to Lanai for the day. They were so kind to my daughter. Trilogy's HQ was right next to the Banyan Tree and it's completely gone.

Jean

Waiola Church, Lanakila Church, the Mission, the Cultural Center, Courthouse, Baldwin House... all gone. Historical artifacts, gone. Businesses and jobs, gone. Almost every house, gone. Lahaina may slowly rebuild and recover, but so much has been lost forever. It will never be the same.

Treesa

My SO has a timeshare on Maui and I've been visiting the island at least every couple of years for 40 years. I'm beyond heartbroken.

Dukey1

Latest i have read which was not from some Facebook poster:

"Amid the charred ruins of Lahaina, one of the historic town’s cherished landmarks is still standing: a 150-year-old banyan tree. But it appears to have been badly singed by the fires that devastated Lahaina, on the west coast of Maui, and it is unclear whether the tree will survive"

sunbum1944

Historic Waiola Church. Loved to visit when in Lahaina. Service and music were in Hawaiian and English. Hawaiian royalty as well as missionaries and founders of Lahaina buried in cemetery next to church.

So sad the church did not survive the fire

macdogmom

Our son lives in Waimea on the big island which also has been hit with bad weather and fire. His area is pretty wet so not in fire danger but had 40-50 mile winds and a big tree came down in their yard. He did say that Mauna Kea Hotel had fire damage and guests had had to shelter in place for awhile. Coastal areas have been hit by drought and very dry and with the winds sadly they got these terrible fires.

coral22

This is truly heartbreaking. We have many fond memories of Lahaina, the beautiful harbor, the fascinating historic sites, the lovely shops and the friendly people. We spent our honeymoon in Maui and Kauai 40 years ago. We were lucky to take our 3 children there, also.

We had a fun meal at Cheeseburger in Paradise and on the morning news today, the owner was interviewed and her restaurant, her brewery and her condo burned to the ground. She was most concerned about her 80 employees who have lost their homes and jobs, She has started a go fund me for them, but there are many wonderful places to donate.

Everyone do be careful with your donations. Sadly, there are many detestable people and their sham websites that sound legitimate, who take advantage of other people's misery.

aliced

We love downtown Lahaina, and Mala Tavern on the north end of Front Street a fave for us for breakfast or dinner.

Dukey1

More Banyan tree info:"James B. Friday, an extension forester with the University of Hawaii, said he had been looking from Honolulu at photos and videos of the tree and was not hopeful about the tree’s prospects. The banyan would have been protected, he said, by a layer of bark too thin to likely withstand these fires.
“It certainly doesn’t look like that tree is going to recover,” Dr. Friday said."

Dayenu

Oh, Dukey, I hope the roots survived, and the new saplings (is this what they are called?) will sprout.

The news are heartbreaking.

annw

Sadly, the death toll is currently 53.

Although we lived in Hawaii through devastating hurricanes, this horror reminds me more of the Oakland Hills fire (1991) and the recent northern CA fires. So devastating, traumatic, awful--and this one touching so many who have visited and retain fond memories.

Hoping our Ohana of Hawaiian Fodorites are safe. 🤗 🌈🌺

Jean

Many locals have already expressed their thoughts. Here's one:

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices...-b2391422.html

From the linked article:

"... [W]e lost hundreds of years of history, art, and culture in 24 hours... For us, the loss of Lahaina Town is the equivalent of Parisiens losing Notre Dame in 2019, or Londoners losing St Paul’s to the Great Fire in 1666. More harrowing though are the lives lost, and the lives of families and loved ones affected.

Finally, though, Lahaina’s Old Town was just a wonderful place, full of vivid colour, life, industry, and fun.

It truly was a little paradise. It was a place for locals on the north and east of the island to escape to on days off."

jacketwatch

I do think the spirit of Ohana will shine thru. I have seen where volunteers from all over the US are going to Maui to help in relief efforts.

Please make a donation for their recovery. I chose to contribute via age American Red Cross though I am sure there are other ways.

Lawrence

coral22

Jean,
Thank you for that touching article. My entire family is just devastated by this loss and feel so lucky to have gone there.
I can't imagine the shock and grief of the residents. I hope everyone that is able, is sending in a donation.

coral22

Lawrence,
Thanks, I was posting at the same time

mlgb

https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Barbara

[QUOTE=annw;17486767 this horror reminds me more of the Oakland Hills fire (1991) and the recent northern CA fires. So devastating, traumatic, awful--and this one touching so many who have visited and retain fond memories.

Hoping our Ohana of Hawaiian Fodorites are safe. 🤗 🌈🌺[/QUOTE]


It reminds me of the Witch fire in 2007 which similarly devastated my own community. This week, after how many years, the city (San Diego) is finally re-surfacing several roads which were severely damaged by the fire. I hope Lahaina, and Maui, recover more quickly.

suze

https://hawaiifoodbank.org/
Hawaii Foodbank on their home page has dedicated Maui Relief Efforts you can contribute to.

starrs

Still standing (photo)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/us/la...aui/index.html

Inakauaidavidababy

I must believe that there will be a leaf sprouting which will be cared for by an arborist.