In the early hours of Tuesday Oct 20th  Hal ’s Darwin house went up in flames. A faulty electric heater was to blame.

All Hal managed to grab in his escape was a flashlight, he walked blind ( he has macular degeneration) barefoot and naked as the day he was born to his friend and neighbors house, his house his clothes the art and photos and books all gone in a puff of smoke.


His underground home was a landmark in our little town of Darwin. It was the reason for many of us falling in love with Darwin. Hal’s house was a physical representation of the soul and spirit of this town. 


I myself fell in love with the way the light fell on the items Hal placed in the house – mostly items created by his father Gordon Newell a notable sculptor from Big Sur and his mother Emilia.  


The walls were made from local rocks, the porch out of marble from Hearst Castle and beams and a table from the original Bixby Bridge. Many people carved their names or messages into the table and many a gathering was hosted here - even the donkeys gathered at sunset for a drink.


It’s still unclear the extend and impact of his loss – but as the pictures show – there is nothing left. He’ll need funds to help find a place to stay, rebuild his home and buy the items that can be replaced and help with any photos anyone has of his past.


$30,000 is a random amount – there is no price one can have for losing such a home. We will keep updating this campaign as his needs get more clear.


They say to count your blessings at this time. He’s alive, and he is loved.
He has an amazing community of friends and family in Darwin and Big Sur and more.

Like a Phoenix, this campaign is to help Hal rebuild his life from the ashes.

Let's bring  back into reality what is no longer present, other than in our hearts and help Hal get back on his feet. 
Please donate what you can and share with others who may want to participate and keep checking on this page.

Jim Hulnolt, Hal's dear friend and neighbor has set up an account specifically for these funds to go in and will keep me informed how the donations will be used to get Hal back up and running so I can share this information with you.

Thank you.



PS: Many thanks to David Reese, Tamara Myers, Pierre Valeille, Kim Stringfellow and Louise Vickers for the photos.