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West Maui’s Lahaina Town reopens after wildfire, community recovers.

Wildfire Devastation in Lahaina: Road‌ Reopens, Community Rallies Together

LAHAINA, Hawaii—After more than a week of destruction caused by a devastating wildfire, the main ‍bypass road into Lahaina in West Maui, ‌Hawaii, has finally reopened on Aug. 16. ‍The fire claimed homes, businesses, and tragically, over 100 lives.

Despite the road reopening, heavily damaged areas remain closed under guard, resulting in sporadic traffic along⁤ Route 30 into Lahaina.

One of the immediate challenges faced by residents is the shortage of gasoline due to power outages that have shut⁣ down local fuel ‍stations. ⁤At Ohana Fuels in Lahaina, a line⁤ of cars waits patiently to fill up ‌with gas.

Related ‍Stories

Residents like⁢ Sarah⁤ Turner, a West Maui resident, are doing their best‌ to help their community. Turner fills up plastic gas containers in the bed of her pickup ⁢truck, not just‌ for her family’s use, but⁢ for ‍others⁤ in need of fuel, food, water,⁤ and other supplies.

Turner expressed her gratitude for the generosity of others, who have been driving through neighborhoods to drop ⁤off essential items. She emphasized the importance‌ of​ gas⁤ for ‌powering emergency​ generators in areas still without electricity.

As Lahaina grapples with the aftermath ⁤of⁢ the wildfire, ​the number of displaced residents continues ​to rise, exacerbating the existing ​homelessness ​issue in West Maui. Turner ‍highlighted the significant homeless population in the area, which has⁢ now ⁣been cut off from essential resources.

Gas⁢ for a Good Cause

Amidst the challenges, there is a ‍glimmer of ‌hope.‍ The customers waiting⁣ in line⁣ for gas at Ohana Fuels ​didn’t have to pay a⁤ dime. ⁤Chimo Shipp, a Lahaina‍ local, and other volunteers swiped gas cards to provide⁢ free fuel to motorists.

Shipp’s company, ⁤Fresh Fish Maui,​ raised an impressive ⁢$10,000 ‍from⁣ over 4,000 customers to purchase‌ gas for the volunteer relief effort in Lahaina. With the continuous influx ​of donations, Shipp managed to ‍acquire 1,800 gallons of gas and transport ⁣it‍ to the ‌community on his boat.

While the endeavor was not without risks,⁣ Shipp and ‌his team were determined to help their ‍neighbors in need. Local firefighters acknowledged the danger but expressed their gratitude for the relief effort.

Firefighters Struggling

The firefighters‌ battling the⁢ blaze are ‍facing immense challenges. The rubble poses risks to their ⁤health, with concerns⁢ about cancer due to the old infrastructure in Lahaina. ‍However, with the⁢ gas stations now open,​ Shipp and his team have‌ shifted their focus to supporting the community in other ways.

Shipp ​is also working on establishing a ‌nonprofit⁢ organization called “Fresh Help Maui” to provide ongoing support ⁣for the relief effort. He acknowledges that while people are physically okay, the ‌emotional toll is significant. The sadness and pain are ⁤evident in the eyes of​ Lahaina residents.

Daniel Skousen, a Lahaina resident and father of four, shared⁤ his experience of the ‌wildfire. While his home ​sustained minimal⁤ damage, ⁢his neighbor’s house‍ was completely destroyed. Skousen expressed his frustration with ​the⁤ government’s handling of⁣ the ​situation, believing that more could have been done to minimize the‌ impact of the disaster.

POTUS⁤ Visit

President Joe Biden will be visiting West Maui on Aug. ‌21⁤ to meet with survivors of the devastating wildfire. The death toll has reached⁢ 110, with over 1,000 individuals still unaccounted for. Local morticians are preparing for a potential​ influx of funerals,​ with counseling ​services available to⁤ support ⁢grieving families.

As Lahaina⁤ begins the long process of recovery, the⁢ community remains resilient, with individuals like Chimo ⁣Shipp leading the way in providing much-needed assistance and support.



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