Help Heather & Girls rebuild after Lahaina fire

Hi Friends and Family - We are hoping to help our family in Hawaii that has recently lost everything in the devastating fire in Lahaina. If you are able to help our family would really appreciate it. As I am sure most have heard in the news families fled their homes leaving everything behind and unfortunately their apartment burned to the ground. We are hoping to help Heather to be able to purchase furnishings, clothing, toiletries, and food to help them rebuild.

Jasmine, Heather's daughter, has shared her story of her family's loss below.

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Aloha everyone,

On August 8th, 2023, a fire started in the town of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii on Lahainaluna Road. Quickly fueled by wind gusts of up to 60-80mph from Hurricane Dora passing just South of Hawai’i, this fire took fast. It jumped from house to house and made its way quickly down Lahainaluna Road into the town. There was barely any time to warn people and evacuate. People ran for their lives trying to get to safety. People ran and jumped into the ocean to get away from the fires. They sprinted through Old Lahaina Town north to Ka’anapali hotel area with very low visibility due to the black smoke that swallowed the town. All anyone could see was an orange glow from the fires, black from the smoke, and the heat from the fire was insane. People ran and cars hit them along the way on accident because they could not see anything. The whole town from Puamana to Wahikuli burned down, destroyed, in ash. Lahaina town is destroyed, and many people lost their lives.

My name is Jasmine Cabanilla and my mom Heather Sheridan and sister Faith Cabanilla have lost everything to this fire. Thankfully they are safe and with family on the other side of the island. Our apartment and everything we owned burnt to ash. My mom and sister only have the clothes on their backs they came out with, their medications, and a few important documents but everything else is gone. Our family is humbly asking for donations to help them get back on their feet. My Mom is a single mother of two girls who has worked her butt off to give my sister and I everything that we have today. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had what we needed and that’s what mattered but now we are left with nothing. My Mom is the hardest worker I know, and she has one of the biggest hearts. She put me through college and sacrificed so much to give me and my sister everything we had but now everything she sacrificed for is gone. My sister was supposed to start her sophomore year of high school this week. She was excited to see her friends, show off her braceless smile, and tackle the year, but now she is in tears wondering how this tragedy will change her life. They will need money for a new living situation, being able to furnish it, clothes for work and school, school supplies, bills such as phone, insurance, etc., clothes, basic needs, and so so so much more. We are so grateful they made it out alive because so many people did not and although we lost everything, we are grateful to have each other.

Our hearts hurt and we feel so lost during this time. Lahaina town is a special place that is full of so much aloha and care for one another. This town holds so much rich history of Hawaiian culture and so much great memories for so many people. It is a place that has the feeling of family wherever you go. A place with immense pride and love for where we come from. It is a place full of good hardworking people. Lahaina is special, we will rebuild but it will take a lot of people coming together to help. Please donate to my family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for anything that you decide to contribute.

All my Aloha,

Jasmine

The picture shows where our apartment used to stand, but is now ash.