My name is Amanda (Allen) Leader, and my family and I made this for my best friend, and sister, Airica Allen.
From Airica’s Dad, Todd Allen:
Our beloved daughter and sister Airica Allen was caught up in the devastating wildfires that ravaged Maui, Hawaii on 8 Aug 23 and fortunately was able to escape physically unscathed. We are very grateful she survived in the town she loves, Lahaina, Hawaii. So many others, many she knew, were not so fortunate. A quick story about our wonderful daughter/sister and what she experienced:
Airica migrated to Lanai, Hawaii after college, applying and accepting a position with the Four Seasons on Lanai. I was very skeptical (as her dad) that it was something that would turn out like it has (amazing experience) — but I encouraged her to try it out, knowing that she literally knew no one, had zero support system and was going to an island that looked like it was extremely rural except for the Four Seasons resort. That was 12 years ago… and she has not been back since (excluding family visits). My wife and I have visited several times and I always joke when visiting “wish I could live here”, which in dad’s speak means “wow, my kid moved to Hawaii!” and hides a sense of pride that my 22-year-old daughter, on her own, moved there and made her dream a reality with (initially) very limited resources, financial or otherwise... I miss not seeing her as often if she lived CONUS (Dad’s military speak for on the mainland) but I have an admiration for how she made it work.
After several years there she moved to Lahaina, Maui, just a short ferry ride from Lanai. She has become a part of that community and when we visit, I deeply feel how much it is a part of her. The day the wildfires overtook Lahaina Airica went into to town & parked her car where she normally does, the wildfires seemingly far away. This is just off Front Street (what has been mostly showed on the news) and was making her way down Front Street. Things quickly changed with the wind (literally) as it was clear the fire was quickly over taking the town (due to the hurricane force winds that picked up embers, etc. and dropped them further down the mountain on Lahaina). She was unable to get back to her car (which burned & ultimately blew up) but miraculously caught a ride with a friend who was escaping also. Many, many people who did not immediately leave the town perished (unknown how many as I write this), some sitting in their cars on Front Street trying to escape.
After 36 hours on the side of the road (and no way to contact anyone due to no cell network) with no food or water they were able to make it back to Airica’s apartment (north of Lahaina proper) which although had not yet been affected by fire, had no electricity or running water (her girlfriends apt was destroyed). They only had a few minutes to grab a couple things and left the area immediately (as they were told to do) and were somehow able to get through several roadblocks and miles of stranded people to Wailea—emotionally heartbroken and physically exhausted. As I am writing this we are looking for hotel accommodations (there are none available) and also gauging when/how we can help her leave Maui when she is ready (a difficult conversation). According to several reports it will take Lahaina years to recover. Airica has been left with no car, employment, or viable housing. Just the belongings she quickly was able to grab.
Living in paradise should not end so cruelly for so many. There is a long road ahead for her both emotionally and economically. Our family is very grateful she survived and grieving for her Lahaina family. Any funds raised will go directly to Airica to help her replace what she’s lost.
Thanks for your support.
Mahalo
Fundraisers for some of Airica’s friends: