It's been a week now since the fire, and I've had a lot of people checking in for an update. So here is some news…
Power has been restored to most of West Maui, and that has made a huge difference. It thankfully happened much faster than predicted. People were without power for around 5 days! The public water south of Honokowai is poisonous and not to be used for anything. Cell service is still extremely spotty, and the Internet is still down. Mobile Starlinks are popping up all over at the major community hubs. It was my great pleasure to set up two of the first ones, but now there is a professional company called Red Lightning doing it. They are a cool independent disaster relief company that runs off donations.
Now that power is back for most of West Maui, the hubs are starting to be less populated. Food, water, clothing, housing, and major medical problems are pretty much handled. The triage phase is starting to wind down. Our situation was so dire because there was no federal response at the beginning. We were isolated over here for days because they closed the highways. People were bringing in supplies by boat, and our community had to do it ourselves. I am so proud of this community, and everyone shined.
I still have moments where I can't believe it happened. It's hard to think about or have any perspective on how life will be so different. I drove through town a few days ago and got to see it with my own eyes. There were 3 homes that I have lived in that burned down. I've read the list of 400+ names and growing of families that lost their homes… I know many of them. Strong wind gusts now feel threatening. All the ash is super toxic, and some people that have been down in the zone have been having respiratory problems. Rain and runoff could poison the ocean. Where are we going to put all that toxic ash? I will miss the harbor. My time working on sailboats there is one of my favorite parts of my life. My girls' precious and historic schools are gone.
The highway into West Maui was closed for almost the entire week, and it created some real problems for us. When they tried to open it, tourists and other lookie-loos flooded in and were sneaking into the burn areas where bodies were still present. So they closed it again. The problem was, they closed it while I was out shopping! My adventure to get home included getting special permission from the police chief and a trip around the north shore road, which is one lane, going the wrong way, while people were evacuating Kaanapali during a flare-up. It was horrible, but I made it. As of today, the highway has officially reopened, and that is going to help things a lot.
My friend and colleague from Save Honolua is our current council member and is leading community efforts here. She is a true hero, and her leadership has been beyond words. I have been able to find some ways to support her, and it has been so fulfilling to see what her world is like right now and play a small role in it.
It was so great today to be with Josephine while we went around to the different hubs with our Kumu Lomi friend Jeana Naluai. She brought 30 lomi practitioners to be deployed throughout the community over the next couple of days.
After my message last week, your donations came at a very good time. I was having breakfast with Kamaunu at our table when they started coming in. He cried because he felt so supported. It was amazing to see, and I am very grateful to have been there for it. Thank you so much, everyone. A few of you have entrusted me with money to put where it is needed. Thank you for that honor and trusting me with that responsibility.
I have had so many people asking where to donate that I created a website. I know that many of you have already donated. But if you get the chance to share this with others, this is how I recommend donating: www.lahainahawaiian.com
We got amazing news yesterday! We are going to get a school for the girls that will be opening up in two weeks just a few miles away in Kapalua by the Ritz. That has really lightened the mood in this house. There are a couple of key shopping malls that got saved, including the Safeway Mall and Ace Hardware. There are 3 major neighborhoods that were saved for the most part. So there is something to build off of.
It has been an interesting time with tourism gone. In some ways, it kind of reminds me of COVID because we can go down to the Bay and have it all to ourselves. The local people here are so at ease with each other and united. It's true aloha. Shopping at Costco is such a delightful experience with good vibes. Our community is incredibly strong, and I'm very inspired by it and proud of it. Tourism is on hold in West Maui, but it's still game on for the rest of the island. So if the topic comes up, tell people to still come to Maui, just give West Maui a little more time.
I'm still busy, but less busy. I have a big strong woofer coming back to help me stay on top of things here on the land. I'm going to start putting more time into my family, land, and home again now but still help when needed in the community.
Thank you, everyone. We feel your love here. We feel your grieving here. I feel very supported. Mahalo, John