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.
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8/16/2023
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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