Taken on a happier day in Lahaina, Maui, when I was thinking of how incredibly fortunate we were to visit here often... I'm without words to express the overwhelming sadness and loss I feel to know that no one will ever see this scene again. My daughter, Ashley, and her family flew there the day before the fire began, but they are staying in the town of Kihei. She called us late at night here when it all began, and it was a couple of days before she got any news of what had happened. This morning she called to say she'd heard the famous banyan tree had burned but knew little more. It was Pam Knowler who sent me an article from England that made my blood run cold. It's ALL gone...everything that was Lahaina. I'm without words that so many lost their lives...I can't imagine, but I also heard there were only 1000 firefighters. Not nearly enough. We have friends in "upcountry" Kula on the slopes of Haleakala, and I know the fire reached there as well. For now, our daughter and family are safe, and aren't due to leave until Monday, but I can't begin to imagine how they're going to evacuate everyone without homes, or tourists who lost their hotels! I have a personal interest, having first visited Maui when I was around 2, and lived in the islands until I was almost 9. The story is only just coming to light, and I'm sure amidst the coming human travel chaos, I'll be getting more of a story that's yet to unfold.
It is a horrible tragedy. I was in Maui only once almost 30 years ago but I do remember the lovely island and it is heartbreaking. If you look on line, you can find videos that people have posted of the fire, and it appears apocalyptical. Many lives lost and historical sites that will never be seen again.
@gardencat Joanne, thanks for that message! Most people everywhere hope to visit the islands at least once in their lives. I'm absolutely stunned that anyone should have perished; it seems inconceivable to me! I'll keep posting photos from our last visit in the coming days...the loss of the history and the beauty, not to mention that happiness that just being there brought to people is heartbreaking.
Thanks for sharing images of this part of the beautiful island that has sadly now been lost. Such devastating news! I am so sad for the loss which somehow seems so personal to you and your family! Big hug xx
I am very sorry about the fire. But look wider: Canada, Spain, Rhodes, Sicily and many other places. It's not one island, it's the Earth on fire. And no one is calling!
@haskar Thank you for the broader observation; it's not lost on me. Lahaina, though, is more personal to me; I lived there, have friends there, and my daughter and the family are still there until next week and not a shred of it is left.
