Hearts go out to Maui and the Big Island

[PipeIT]

Ok, since my last reply Thursday, this is now officially the greatest natural disaster in Hawaiian History.

Before this, the greatest natural disaster in Hawaiian History was the tsunami of 1960 hitting Hilo killing 61.

As of this reply, death toll is now 80, and the news said there are still countless people missing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It's so wretchedly sad for everyone who likes any or all of the islands, not just the folks who live there, much less those who lost family or friends, or possessions including houses, pets, livestock and on and on.
I had looked forward to returning to Lahaina, which had the perfect mix of folks and businesses, not to mention the beauty of the town itself.

 

[PipeIT]

Yesterday was the first time ever in my life to feel a different type of emotion.

It had a slight eerie, empty, missing something, lost something feel to it, not a sensation like this all wrapped up in one, had I ever felt before.

I was talking to the Mrs. about it yesterday, like we lost something, that life we had once in Lahaina, she agreeded, because she said it use to be home.

I’m still sitting here feeling odd, how could anyone not be... hmm

 

[warren]

Instead of that next tin or three write out a check to the Salvation Army, Red Cross or whatever your choice is to send some aid and comfort.

 

[mso489]

Just received word from my high school buddy now retired in Kihei (pronounced key hay) about 20 miles from the worst fires on Maui. There are fires nearer to them than the town that was destroyed, but it is all in wooded areas with no building damage or fatalities there.

He and his wife used to visit the now-destroyed historical town regularly.

 

[warren]

I had condos in Kehei and am paying close attention. The "North Kehei Fire" is a real threat. The winds have subsided some as the storm has moved west. Kehei is right in the funnel between the two volcanoes.

 

[PipeIT]

It’s spelled Kihei @warren I’ve lived here since the mid 90s, before that Lahaina.

The death toll has now reached 89, according to the news, making it the deadliest in the US in more than 100 years.

Holy Crap!

P.S. @mso489 I pronounce it FleaHay! LOL

 

[PipeIT]

Here you can follow Local Updates.

Maui wildfire updates for Aug. 12: 89 confirmed deaths, 2 Identified; 150 FEMA personnel on Maui | Maui Now

Maui wildfire updates for Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 are posted HERE. Firefighters continue working to extinguish flare-ups and contain fires in Lahaina, Pūlehu/Kīhei and Upcountry Maui.

mauinow.com

 

[warren]

It’s spelled Kihei @warren

Indeed it is. Between my fingers and proofreading skills I still make a mistake or five. Mea Culpa! I'm standing, hat in hand, booted toe scraping the dirt and eye lowered respectfully, begging your forgiveness for my outrageous and, obviously egregious, typo.

 

[PipeIT]

@warren when was last time you were here? Since you mentioned you had condos...

 

[warren]

The 80's. The family had three condos at the Kehei Beach Resort on Maalaea Bay. I believe it's called Kalaepohaku these days.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I saw an extended Sky News piece last night about this. Truly horrendous scenes and images along with many tales of utter misery.

Cars, houses, infrastructure can all be replaced, people can't.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[PipeIT]

Death Toll hit 93 today...

 

[ashdigger]

This is how bad the city of Lahaina was overran.

These maps are first of the island. Then the fires perimeter then the city.

Truly a disaster.

 

[PipeIT]

I have not go over there, not planning on it either. I’ve only seen pics/videos online, bloody war zone bombed to death.

My oldest I mentioned before, living in Kaanapali with her husband, has to drive through Lahaina in order to get to Kaanapali.

She actually left last week and went on vacation, just came back Saturday and had to stay in another part of the island, and just went back home today.

Can you imagine going on vacation and returning to another world like this... wow

 

[PipeIT]

Family of four found dead in their burned out car trying to flee.

‘Indescribable grief’: Loved ones identify family of 4 killed while fleeing Lahaina wildfire

"Their memories will forever remain etched in our hearts.”

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Hawaii wildfires: Family of four, including child, found dead in car

The couple, their daughter and her son went missing while trying to flee the deadly blaze.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[ssjones]

Incredibly sad news. We spend out 25th wedding anniversary in Maui (stayed in South Maui). We were in Oahu as well, but really loved Maui. We were in Lahaina nearly every night, for dinner/drinks.

When we there (June 2005), Maui was getting some much larger waves then typical for June, because of an earthquake in China. I rented a long, softtop board to go surfing. I was in good shape for a 44 year old, but NOT in good enough shape to surf 8 foot waves and having been off a board for about 15 years. I was on a coral break, which was not smart. Worse, I was trying to catch a wave in the middle of a group of young Hawaiian surfers, who were enjoying the unusual big waves. An older, very large Hawaiian man was surfing a long board just outside this group. He motioned to me and said this is not the break to be surfing. He said if I still had the board, I could meet him at a smaller, sandy bottom beach at dusk the next day. Thanks to his kindness, I didn't get my ass kicked by the Hawaiian guys, or get hurt on the coral and I was able to catch some smaller waves. I think he lived somewhere around Lahaina, I hope he and his family are OK.

I hope they can recover quickly and no more lives will found to be lost.

 

[PipeIT]

Unfortunately the death toll, is still climbing, now at 99.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

"No comment"

 

[PipeIT]

Life on Maui as we know it!