Tafea family affected by Lahaina fire

Hello, my name is Marie Tafea. I never thought that I’d to have to do this, but I am for the sake of our family. Our family ended up being one of many families to lose their home and everything in it from the fire.

I was born and raised in our small town Lahaina, but I now reside in Wailuku. I had been at work, but after getting home, I got the news that the fire had reached close to home and soon after made its way to our home. Due to my brother being stuck at work, it left both my mom and little sister stranded to figure things on out their own.

After being left in the wonders for almost 24 hours, to finally getting confirmation from my brother, that my little sister had driven her and my mom to safety and are now with a family relative. I have finally been able to reunite with them, but hearing what they had gone through to get to safety, it broke my heart into pieces.

They had been out shopping for things to get for them in case of power outages, but soon after, they walked out to see that the area of where our home was at had been up in smoke and flames, leaving them no time to run back home to get whatever they could.

My Mother is a single parent and has been raising three children all on her own, after the passing of our Dad. My brother and I have been trying our best to keep it together for our family, but due to him being stuck at work, I am the only one who is able to get them the things that they need and be their only source of moral support. This tragedy has left my mother and baby sister traumatized and in denial that our home had been burnt to ashes, along with many other residents of Lahaina.

With that being said, 100% of the donations made will go to helping me get my mom and siblings get back on their feet, with getting them daily necessities, clothes and food.

It has been such a tough time for all families of Lahaina and it breaks my heart to see our little loving hometown go up into flames, missing loved ones and loved ones who have passed from trying to escape. My love and prayers goes out to our Lahaina community! Blessings and love to you all! Stay safe out there and never lose faith, we will bounce back! #lahainastrong❤️