Lahaina Fire Storm 2023

Our family lost our home in Lahaina, Maui on Aug 8, 2023. We are a family of 6 that lost everything but a few days worth of clothing. We had to self-evacuate with no warning at all after the house filled with smoke and we could hardly see. The power had already been out since early that morning due to the high winds knocking down trees and power lines. We had all been hunkering down for the storm. We grabbed what clothes we could and packed into 3 cars. My mother, Anne, my 3 children (aged 3, 5, and 14) and I got stuck in the middle of the fire during evacuation and spent 2 hours watching the fire catch up to us and burn houses a sidewalks distance from our cars while stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. We were separated from my stepfather, Clem, and due to no cell phone service, we could not communicate all night. We are thankfully all alive and are now all back together. We were lucky to get away with our lives and the lives of our 2 cats. Not only our home but our entire town is gone. We are truly grateful to be alive and appreciate whatever you can give us. We need money for everything from clothing, people and pet food, essentials, housing, school supplies, toys, and all the things for daily living. Again thank you for anything you can offer.

Mahalo,

Noelani, Anne, Clem, Kayla, Kili & Mahea

8/12 Update:

We are so grateful to all those who have donated and all those who have shared our story! The outpouring of love and generosity is more than we can put into words. 

 This experience has reaffirmed that 1) family is the most important thing. And I am so so lucky and grateful to have all my family get out of the fire. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones! 

 And 2) I am overwhelmed at how amazing, generous, and caring my O’hana, community, and even those I’ve never met are!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! 

 If you’d like to know a little more about us: 

Clem aka Dutch is a retired Vietnam Veteran in his 70s. 

 Anne is also in her 70s and is an educational specialist and is a retired special educational teacher. 

Noelani is a nurse in her 30s and is the mother of the three children. I was born and raised on Maui and my family has been here for almost 40 years.  

Again Mahalo Nui Loa (thank you very much) for your love and support!