David Vanzo & Barrie Matthews

Hi my name is Carol Hester and I am posting this on behalf of David Vanzo and his wife Barrie Matthews who lost everything in the Maui Fire.

If you have ever been to Maui, you have probably had the pleasure of getting your photo taken with the beautiful exotic birds at the Lahania Bird Stand in downtown Lahania, and some of you have even made it a yearly tradition for the last 20 years. I have read some of the amazing comments that have been left online and know how much this meant to so many. It is with deep sadness to have to say that on Tuesday, August 8th 2023, that not only the location where so many of these wonderful memories were made but the entire town of Lahaina was decimated by the Maui Fire.

David & Barrie, the owners of those wonderful birds lost everything they have spent their lives building on that beautiful island and the historic town of Lahaina. They managed to escape with the clothes on their backs, all of the birds and a few of their other animals, but not all of them. Their home, the business, the photography equipment and everything else they owned is completely gone. They currently have a safe place to stay for the next few days until they can figure out what to do next.

They are in desperate need of daily funds for food & water for the birds and animals as well as for themselves and Barries' elderly father who is battling cancer. They will also have to try to find someplace to stay until they can get help through other channels and find a way to get Barrie's father to his cancer treatments. They are also trying to continue to help their two long-term employees John & Brian who have also lost everything they own as well.

These are two amazing people that have spent their lives reaching out and helping anyone they could without ever expecting anything in return. I know this firsthand as I am one of those people.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and if you are able to help with a donation I thank you so much for that as well. If you could also share this post it would mean the world to me and to them. Our hearts go out to all of the people on the island who have lost so much in this fire. You can also message me to get Barrie's Venmo information as another way to donate.

And one more thing.. if you have ever been to Maui and had your photo's taken with these incredible birds please feel free to share those with us too.