Devastating Maui Fire: A Community United in the Face of Adversity
Written by: Gabriella Yeung
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
August 8th, 2023, was a devastating day for Hawaii’s lush landscapes and pristine beaches. Maui, the 2nd largest island in Hawaii, was devastated by a wildfire that quickly spread throughout the city. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the fire rapidly spread, consuming everything in its path. Within hours, it had grown rapidly, enough to threaten residential areas. The wildfire left residents and visitors alike in a state of shock and despair. With at least 115 individuals killed, this instance is marked as one of the worst natural disasters in the nation (New York Times). Hundreds of others have lost their homes, being forced to evacuate and flee to nearby shelters for refuge.
As the island struggled to clean up the remnants of the disaster, investigations began into the cause of the fire. Maui County believes that Hawaiian Electric’s power lines are responsible for the catastrophe. A Lahaina resident posted a video online the same morning showcasing the electrical lines sparking amidst burning grass (Washington Post). Amidst the orange and yellow flames, panicked civilians were seen escaping from their homes as thick, gray smoke billowed around. Even so, the company publicly claims the fire was quickly put out by firefighters, and no apparent damage was done to the surrounding electric cables.
Nonetheless, even though the cause of the fire remains undetermined, the people of Maui came together in a remarkable display of unity. Volunteers have actively participated in search and rescue efforts, and some samaritans have offered their homes as refuge to the wildfire victims. Local businesses provided food, water, and supplies to evacuees and emergency responders. Uilani Kapu, a Lahaina resident whose house was spared by the fires, spends her nights in a tent by a mall in order to oversee distributions of donated essentials. A retired battalion chief, Louis Romero, resides in a cot in a nearby fire station and volunteers at a crisis-relief hub (Reuters). Romero states that during these times, Maui is one big “ohana”, a common phrase used in Hawaii, meaning family. “You don't have to be blood relatives to consider you family. That's the Hawaiian way. We help each other" (Reuters). Ultimately, it is the efforts of small heroes like Louis Romero and Uilani Kapu that demonstrate the community’s compassion, regardless of their unfamiliar relations. Additionally, people around the world have also shown their support, most notably through donations to prominent organizations such as the American Red Cross, and local charities such as Maui Humane Society. Furthermore, A-List celebrities such as Jason Momoa, Olivia Wilde, have taken to social media and voiced their concerns and prayers for the people of Maui, helping spread the issue to a broader audience (NBC).
With this increased publicity, Maui’s police department has worked tirelessly under the public eye to identify the deceased and rescue the living. However, while search and rescue efforts come to a close, Maui’s police chief, John Pelletier, still worries about the shortage of DNA tests, which are used to identify the dead (New York Times). In spite of this, the devastating incident has only reflected Maui’s unity, reminding everyone that in times of crisis, their sense of community remains unbroken.
Citations:
Allen, Jonathan. “Maui’s “One Big Family” of Locals Rally to Aid of Wildfire Victims.” Reuters,17Aug.2023,www.reuters.com/world/us/mauis-one-big-family-locals-rally-aid-wildfire-victims-2023-08-17/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2023.
Baker, David“Analysis | How Did the Maui Fire Start? Why Hawaii’s Power Lines Are Suspect.”WashingtonPost,30Aug.2023,www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/2023/08/28/how-did-the-maui-fire-start-why-hawaii-s-power-lines-are-suspect/8ad1c7b4-45dd-11ee-b76b-0b6e5e92090d_story.html.
Bellusci, A. (2023, August 10). “heartbroken”: Jason Momoa, Olivia Wilde and more starssharedevastationoverMauifires.NBC4Washington.https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/heartbroken-jason-momoa-olivia-wilde-and-more-stars-share-devastation-over-maui-fires/3402480/#:~:text=Jason%20Momoa%2C%20Carlos%20PenaVega%20and,help%20the%20citizens%20of%20Hawaii.
Hassan, Adeel Latest about the Maui Wildfires: Emergency Management Chief Resigns. www.nytimes.com/article/maui-wildfires-hawaii.html.
Watson, Paradise Afshar,Michelle. “Number of Unaccounted People after Maui Wildfires May Drop to under 50, Hawaii’s Governor Says.” CNN, 1 Sept. 2023, edition.cnn.com/2023/09/01/us/maui-fires-final-number-missing-people/index.html. Accessed 3 Sept. 2023.
