This week, a wildfire swept across the island of Maui, Hawaii. The blaze killed at least 36 people and destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings. It’s one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in recent years.
The fire took Maui residents by surprise. Some were already preparing for heavy winds from nearby Hurricane Dora. But they didn’t expect the coming disaster.
Keʻeaumoku Kapu lives in the town of Lahaina. He runs a cultural center, preserving research materials and artifacts. On Tuesday, he was tying down loose objects to protect them from the wind. Then his wife arrived. She said they had to evacuate. They jumped into his pickup truck. By the time they pulled away, the cultural center was in flames.
“It was that quick,” says Kapu.
The cause of the wildfire remains unclear. But hurricane winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation fed the blaze.
As families evacuated, bushes and trees burst into flames. Vehicles and debris clogged roads, slowing the escape. Many lost power and phone service.
On Wednesday, Maui officials organized a “mass bus evacuation” for island visitors. About 11,000 tourists escaped the island by plane. Meanwhile, many locals fled to shelters. According to officials, just four shelters are housing 2,100 people.
As the winds died down, aircrafts could take off. Aerial videos revealed a fuller picture of the damage: flattened homes and businesses, charred trees, and smoking rubble.
“It’s horrifying. I’ve flown here 52 years and I’ve never seen anything come close to that,” says helicopter pilot Richard Olsten. “We had tears in our eyes, the other pilots on board and the mechanics, and me.”
The historic town of Lahaina took much of the damage. Flames spread quickly across its wooden buildings. Lahaina was once the capital city of the Hawaiian kingdom. The United States declared its historic district a national landmark in 1962.
Lahaina could be rebuilt. But in terms of cultural heritage, it can never be replaced.
It’s “like losing a family member,” says 66-year-old Native Hawaiian Francine Hollinger.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden ordered all available federal assets to help Hawaii. The Coast Guard and the Navy are helping rescue survivors. The Marines provided Black Hawk helicopters to fight the flames.
“We are grieving with each other during this inconsolable time,” says Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Jr. “In the days ahead, we will be stronger as a ‘kaiaulu,’ or community, as we rebuild with resilience and aloha.”
“Aloha” means more than “hello.” It comes from a Maori word that means love, peace, and compassion.
We can ask God to protect and comfort the people of Maui. Pray that He would show them His love, peace, and compassion in the midst of tragedy.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18
