My Island Home…

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I don’t have the words to tell you what I am feeling.

We are devastated by the multiple fires on our island. The loss is incomprehensible. The fires upcountry, on the side of Haleakalā, are not yet under control. The fires on the West Side are reported at 80% contained this morning, but the images we’ve seen are heartbreaking. Lāhainā town is gone.

Lāhainā was so much more than shops and restaurants. It is a place in the heart of Hawaiian history, the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai’i in the early 1800’s. The buildings, the land, even the trees were steeped in history. Generations have lived there, worked there, raised families there – and it is gone.

The losses upcountry are also extensive, but most reports indicate that they are property losses, not loss of life. Currently, there are 53 deaths reported in the Lāhainā area and over 1,700 structures destroyed.

We are safe. Our neighborhood has not been in danger. There is a sense of the surreal as we look outside and see sunshine and blue skies. The smoke on the horizon, especially visible at sunset, is the only visual clue to what is happening on our island home.

Thank you to the many people who have reached out. If you are able to make a financial gift, please consider the Hawai’i Community Foundation Maui Strong fund. It grieves me to have to say that the scammers are out there, so exercise due diligence. It will take years, perhaps decades, for our community to recover.

Please pray for our firefighters as well as all who have suffered unfathomable loss.

sunset over the ocean with smoky skies
Sunset from Mākena, Maui August 9, 2023

23 thoughts on “My Island Home…”

  1. <

    div dir=”ltr”>We are praying and thinking of you all.  This news was devastating to hear.  There are no words to express our sorrow for the peop

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  6. My heart is breathtaking for all that have lost a family or friend, for those that have lost their homes or businesses. Also, for all of that history to be erased!
    We have had a condo there, since ‘90. I am supposed to be bringing 3 childhood friends on 9-1. Not sure how that will go or if we can even come over.
    Our family has so many wonderful memories of Maui!!!! I’m just heartsick!
    Continued prayers for those working to contain the fires.
    So good to hear that you are safe!
    🙌💔🙏

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    • Thank you, Cliffie. There are a lot of questions about what tourism might look like in the months to come. If your condo is on the West Side, reach out to your management team. I suspect they will recommend postponing your trip. There is so much uncertainty right now, and the airport is in chaos. Let me know if I can help.

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    • Cliffie, I have an update. While all of West Maui is really off limits, now that people have had a little time there is an invitation being extended to come visit other parts of the island and support local business. If you want to chat further, send me your contact info l through the “Contact the Maui Stamper” page and we can chat.

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      • Awe, thank you, Anne! I appreciate your offer of help. We decided to cancel our trip…I mean how could anyone with a heart, relax on the beach when that community is suffering such catastrophic losses. But for sure, we will be back & will definitely continue to support the island that we love! ♥️

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  7. Pingback: My Island Home… | 50 Happens

  8. My dear friend,
    We are so saddened to hear about and see the devastation that has occurred to beautiful Maui. Prayers for everyone there. Maui will rise from the ashes because Maui no ka oi. 😊

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    • Thank you, Annette. Yes, the community has really come together in this time of need. But the devastation is overwhelming and it will be years before there is recovery. Thanks for your prayers.

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  9. Thank you so much. When Terry and I were there, we visited the historic museums. And now to think that’s it’s gone is heartbreaking. We’ve used your link and I shared it with family and friends. Stay safe my friend. 🙏🙏🙏

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  10. Dear Anne,
    My heart goes out to all the islanders, and I continue to pray for all those affecting and suffering. You and Ray are the first people I thought of (we met way back at Davis and then bumped into each other again during Mass in Kihei. You invited me to your home where we had fun reminiscing. Thank you!) I’m grateful for your warm hospitality and beautiful soul, and have been praying for you and your family’s safety. I’ve been thinking of you this whole time and searched for information. I’m so relieved to find your post and learn that you and Ray are okay and that your home did not sustain damage. Praise God. May Our Lord bless you all with strength and hope. Both my brother, Michael (frat brothers with Ray) and I wish you and your family the best during this difficult recovery. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
    Blessings, Peggy Valva

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  11. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. My heart breaks when I see and hear of the devastation, loss of life, and missing souls. May God wrap his arms around all of you. I never made it to Maui in this lifetime as was my dream. I pray that your beautiful island and banyan tree are someday restored to its natural beauty. Bless you all.

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  12. Thank you so much for your update of the beautiful Maui. I have been worried about you and yours so I’m glad to know that you are safe. There just are not enough words to explain this tragedy, so very sad! I pray that the people will recover from their loss.

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  13. Pingback: SEPTEMBER 2023: Abundant Beauty – The Maui Stamper

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