Maui: An Island in Pain

Reeling from what have been called the deadliest fires in the last century of U.S. history, residents across Maui are hurting. More than 100 people are dead. Hundreds are said to be missing. Survivors say they are in shock. Some weep for a loss that has left many homeless, traumatized and desperately sad. For small businesses that have created the Aloha Spirit for visitors from around the world, the future is uncertain.

Summer Teixeira, who owns and operates Surf Yoga Maui, has struggled for words to describe the fire that devastated Lahaina Town on the island’s west coast, and the Upcountry Fire that ravaged the Kula community on the slope of the island’s Haleakalā Volcano, where she lives.

“The main word I can think to use is ‘apocalyptic,’” she said. “We are all really traumatized and sad. We cannot even fathom that our experience upcountry was happening at the same time as Lahaina Town got wiped out and that we are all a part of a horrific tragedy with so much loss that happened so fast.”

In the afternoon of Aug. 8, the Upcountry Fire came from behind the community of Kula. Eddy Teixeira and neighbors began spraying the roof of their homes with garden hoses as the fast-moving firestorm approached. In those tense moments, it was decided Summer should leave with their dog, and her husband, Eddie, would soon follow.

“We had no warning and I had to depart and evacuate with the doggie, leaving my husband in the flames because they wanted to stay and help with the fires and save the houses. He said he would be right behind us and then never came.”

As cell service failed and phone batteries died, the two lost contact with each other and didn’t reunite until the next day.

“While our experience was scary, our story is one of the fortunate ones,” said Summer. “The stories of our friends, neighbors and community are heartbreaking. We are just grateful to be alive and have a home.”

Six days after the inferno swept through Kula, Summer reported the danger wasn’t over. “I am up at 3 a.m. because of the smell of smoke. The flare-ups all around us are still occurring – from behind, to the side and in front of us. The ground is so hot and the hot rocks and roots start new fires. Neighbors are all on watch constantly and communicating with each other. The way we saw the other day go from smoke to a sweeping blazing fire rushing through, we are all super on edge and hyper-alert.”

About 20 miles away in Lahaina, many lost their businesses and their homes. “The town I called home for 16 years is gone,” said Surf Dog Maui owner Donny Travaglia. “The old neighbors and friends I have been able to reach have lost their homes. I don’t know what to do about the future of my business right now because there are so many unknowns. Just taking it day by day, trying to help anyone who needs it.”

Reports estimate it will cost more than $5.5 billion for Maui to recover. With tourism substantially down since the fires, owners believe their small businesses will struggle and many may not come back.

Among those coming to Maui’s aid, news reports say Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns a house on Maui, and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, have pledged $100 million to help the island recover. Oprah Winfrey, also a Maui resident, reportedly paid for support to help evacuees.

In Arizona, Scottsdale-based golf equipment and apparel company PXG announced a $1 million donation to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization.

“Team Rubicon quickly coordinates and deploys trained military veterans, first responders and civilians as volunteers for disaster relief efforts,” PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons stated. “We have witnessed the dedicated volunteers who make up its ranks fall in to embrace and empower devastated communities. Today, we look to bolster their efforts in Maui and help their boots on the ground to do what they do best.”

Cash donations are what residents say they need most, which can be sent directly to individual businesses and also to organizations such as HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/maui-strong and MauiUnitedWay.org.

“Every donation brings tears to our eyes,” said Summer.

Meanwhile, in the midst of ashes and epic losses, words of hope and gratitude can be found. While standing on a dock in Maui loading supplies for the people of Lahaina, Maui physical therapist Dr. Amanda Eller sent this text, “There are so many people helping. The kindness of humanity and the community pulling together on this island is awe-inspiring.” FBN

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

For more, visit “Maui: An Island in Pain” on Zonie Living at https://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/maui-an-island-in-pain-how-we-can-help-video.

Photo courtesy of Summer Teixeira: The Upcountry Fire burned without warning through the community of Kula on the western slope of Haleakalā Volcano.