Lahaina Firestorm Survivor

On, Tuesday, August 8, 2023, a notification on our phones read:

“People jumping into water to escape Lahaina flames.”

Fearful of what we might hear, we decide to, cowardly, text our Lahaina family,

“Please tell me you guys are okay.”

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Earlier that day, some of us on Oahu knew of the fires on Maui through notifications. A casual text sprung up at 2:49p that very afternoon between family members in Lahaina.

“The fire isn’t by your place, right?”

“…no, it’s up hill from us. The wind is nuts out here. No power since 6am. “

At 4:41p, we get a text. It reads,

“…it’s close now. We ready to leave if need be. “

“Take care. Maybe leave anyway? …Just leave. Those things move fast.”

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At 9:09pm, we receive another text,

“Now chillin at a beach park nearby….”

At 10:10pm, from Lahaina,

“Not looking good.”

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Shortly there after, that dreaded notification of people jumping into the ocean and an overly active imagination, consumes us. The last place they were was at the beach. Just a short walk south of our Lahaina family’s home is Front Street and the water.

Fortunately, at 11:21p, we receive this text,

“We are ok. Our house most likely not…”

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This is the story, the first hand account, from our Lahaina Family-

Aloha everyone. My name is Edward Bali and I'm from Lahaina Town, Hawaii.

On August 8, 2023, around 1pm on the island of Maui, a fire broke out on a brown grassy hill on vacant lands below the Lahaina bypass. The fire quickly spread to residences and businesses and historical sites throughout much of our beloved Lahaina Town.

At first, it looked like our neighborhood was going to be spared. Unfortunately, at 7:30pm, police began driving through our Wahikuli neighborhood telling us to evacuate immediately. Myself, my wife- Maria Sermon, sister- Cheryl Alcantara, mother- Nenita Alcantara and aunty- Julie Antes, along with our three cats and two small dogs packed what we could and left to a nearby evacuation site.

 

I took my scooter and rode back to just outside our neighborhood hoping it wasn't true. This picture I took was just 30 minutes after we had left our home and most of our worldly belongings. In the end, the fire swept thru our entire neighborhood and burned down our family home along with it.

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The next day, we wish to remind them that we are praying for them.

Their response, “Thank you for the prayers. That’s what we really need right now.“

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With much added humble thoughts and humility, Edward adds-

Any financial assistance will be used for our day to day needs for the coming days, weeks and possibly months. Such needs include food, water, fuel, prescriptions, dog and cat food and medications. Any excess funds will be used to buy much needed supplies for our fellow Lahaina Firestorm survivors.

From my entire Lahaina ohana to yours-Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind aid during these terribly difficult times. 

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