
Lahaina Fire Relief Fund for Vasquez-White Ohana
Donation protected
UPDATE 10/31/24:
I just want to thank everyone for all the support and the donations it has truly helped our family in such a difficult time.
It’s been over a year and we are still hoping to find a more permanent place to call home. We are still currently living with family. We have not been able to get much assistance with any housing placement as the home we were previously renting made it through the fires. Although the home still stood it was unlivable as it was located directly in the burn zone. As of today the home is now housing FEMA applicants. We are not back in our old rental as we refused to return 4-5 months after the fire due to many concerns on our families health and safety of being in the general area (Contaminated water, bad air quality, etc) We are still looking for a place to call our own or hoping we get approved for temporary housing until we can find a long term rental.
UPDATE : 9/8
It’s been exactly a MONTH since this horrible fire.
At this time, we still don’t have word on when we are able to return home. Our water is still contaminated, and the air quality is bad. We are a few houses away from the burn zone, meaning our home is NOT livable and not safe. Everything in our home will have to be trashed and we will have to start all over again due to smoke/ash damage on the inside. They still haven’t started doing any type of demo with the homes lost so we anticipate it to be a while.
Again, we are so thankful to be housed by family. The kids are still transitioning and trying to get used to this lifestyle away from Lahaina. It’s been tough, but we are getting through it day by day with a great support system.
Any donations big or small will go to food, clothing (when needed), etc. Your donations when the time comes will also go towards buying new furniture when we are able to return to our home.
Thank you everyone for taking your time to understand the impact this has on our family && for your continued support during such a difficult time.
___________________________________________
Update : 8/22
I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for the support you have given my family during the past two weeks. Your donations have been helping us with food, clothing, and we are in the process of trying to find temporary housing as we try to create a somewhat normal life for our children.
Like I have mentioned in our family story, our home was one of the few in our neighborhood that was spared. My other half Chris was able to return home to grab a few belongings. Unfortunately due to the air quality, water contamination, ash debris in our home is still unlivable and not safe especially with our children. We have relocated and have been blessed to be housed by family in Waikapu (Central Maui) for the mean time.
We also received confirmation recently that we lost our beloved grandma to this Lahaina fire. Our hearts are broken, and she will be deeply missed.
We recently enrolled our oldest daughter into her new school, which she will be starting tomorrow (Wednesday). She is very excited to meet new and see old friends. We chose this specific school for her as she has quite a few friends that got enrolled there as well. It will be comforting for her to see familiar faces.
We are hoping to get our children back to a some what normal life. Kids need to be kids, and they are our number one priority.
Our roots run deep in Lahaina Town & we have so much love for our community.
We will get through this together, and we will be back when the time is right & allow us back to be in our home.
We love you Lahaina ❤️
___________________________________________
ORIGINAL POST:
Aloha,
My name is Desiree Vasquez, I’ve been truly blessed to be raised up in such a tight knit community called Lahaina.
As you all may know August 8,2023 was a very traumatic day for Lahaina, my hometown. A fire ripped through our town and left several families and friends with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
We are so so grateful to know our home was one of the few in our neighborhood that was spared, but it is not livable and for the safety of ourselves along with our kids we had to make the decision to leave Lahaina & we do not know when we will be able to return to our home. We are so thankful to have been taken in by some family members for the time being.
Your support in helping our family get through this life changing experience is greatly appreciated. The funds raised will be utilized to provide relief for temporary shelter, clothing, and food.
Our family would like to thank each and everyone of you for all your love and support for our family along with the rest of our Lahaina community.
Organizer
Desiree Mae Vasquez
Organizer
Lahaina, HI