Fundraiser for Preston LaRoche - Lahaina Wildfire

(MOST RECENT UPDATES WILL BE POSTED AT THE BOTTOM - Last update: 8/12/23)

Hi, my name is Renee (LaRoche) Fast and I’m fundraising for my brother Preston LaRoche. He has lived in Lahaina on Maui for somewhere close to 30 years now. And as you may know by now, devastating wildfires have ripped through Maui overnight on August 8th and continue to ravage the island at this time (Aug 9th). Dry conditions and high winds from Hurricane Dora offshore created the perfect storm. Preston is now without a place to live and his place of employment no longer exists.

He says that everything is gone in Lahaina. He is SAFE but only has his car for shelter at the moment. So many people are without their homes and places of employment and I have no idea what the food supply looks like right now. Of course, the residents will need to figure out how to move forward, but the fires are still raging and figuring that out will surely take time. So, first priories first.

As Preston’s sister, I am just trying to help my brother. If you are feeling generous, Preston would be ever so grateful for your prayers and/or any support offered to him.

Any and all funds received will go to Preston for food, housing and living expenses, while he figures out a way forward. As I receive updates, I will pass them along. This will be a very long recovery for the residents of Maui.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this. Please feel free to share this, if you feel moved to do so. And please pray for all of those of Maui! ❤️

UPDATE: 8/10/23 @ 8pm PT

You guys….

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for your kind and generous contributions to my brother! ❤️

He is so blessed to have all of your prayers, well wishes and support. Thank you all!

I was just in touch with Preston. He is SAFE and staying in his car in Kihei (south end of Maui). He very much fears knowing the names of those who couldn’t make it out. His friends family member is a firefighter and he is told they have collected 256 bodies so far (from the ocean?) and haven't even hit the residents houses yet. There is also a whole squad of firefighters missing. Lahaina is a tiny community. About 1-2 square miles. And he’s been there 30 years or so. Information is trickling out, but without cell service and reliable communication…it’ll be a bit before they really know how bad it is. I will update more as I have meaningful information to share with all of you! ❤️

In the meantime, thank you so much for helping my family! I will update when I hear more. Love you all! ❤️

***Update on 8/12/23***

Preston continues to thank you all for your prayers and generosity!

The casualty count is in its infancy and Preston is just learning some of the names who did not survive.

The Washington State Task Force had 50 members arrive today with 5 Search and Rescue K-9 Teams.

Preston sent this update and said I can share with all of you as we go:

“The stories I'm hearing are GNARLY. Cord barely made it. My Tongan friend and his family did not. He's the first casualty that I personally know. The stories are coming out. I didn't go to Safeway that night only because I wasn't sure it had power or if it was open. I chose to go to Wailuku instead. If I found out Safeway was open at that time period. My story would be different I'm sure.” ~ Preston