Help rebuild Nina’s life after Lahaina, Maui fires

Aloha friends, loved ones, and caring hearts. On behalf of our family, thank you for visiting this page.

Our entire community has been heartbroken by the wildfires that devastated parts of Maui, including Lahaina. We have created this GoFundMe on behalf of Nina Tang, our beloved aunt who lived in Lahaina for over 40 years and lost everything in the fire, including her livelihood and retirement. We are so grateful she is safe, and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been lost.

Words cannot describe what Aunty Nina and countless others experienced. She is older in age (at least 70 years old), frail, hard of hearing, and unable to drive. She lived alone. Despite our best efforts, our extended family was unable to reach her due to road closures. It is nothing short of a miracle that she is with us today, and we are so grateful to her neighbor who gave her a ride out of Lahaina before their homes burned down (our aunt's home is pictured here).

Aunty Nina is safe now. We are forever grateful for the dedication and compassion of civilians and rescuers who evacuated her and others to safety, and the prayers and well wishes of so many we know and don’t know.

 

As a refugee during the Vietnam War, she is no stranger to sacrifice and displacement, yet her life has been a testament to selflessness. She has repeatedly sacrificed herself for her younger siblings (including my mom). Although she did not have any kids of her own, she has always shown the greatest warmth and kindness to her nieces and nephews as though they were her own. If you have visited Lahaina, you may even have met her at her jewelry cart at The Market Place at Lahaina on Front Street.

 

We have established this GoFundMe on behalf of our beloved Aunty Nina, with hopes that others who know and love her might like to encourage or help Aunty Nina rebuild her life…as she simultaneously grieves the loss of her community, her home, her retirement and sense of security, and the memories of her late husband, for whom she is still mourning. Any amount you can spare is a blessing, and your thoughtfulness alone will bring her joy to know that people are thinking about her.

We are so grateful for your kindness and support for the people of Maui during this difficult time. Your warmth and thoughtfulness have and will continue to help our community find the strength to heal.

For anyone interested in supporting the larger community, our favorite organization has been https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund. 100% of their donations go to non-profit partners who are on the ground on Maui.

On behalf of our family and Aunty Nina, we express our deepest gratitude. Mahalo nui loa.

Aunty Nina in June 2023

Aunty Nina’s home