"We Held On"- Vixay and Christine Phonxaylinkham

On Tuesday August 8, 2023 a small fire had started in Lahaina, HI. The unusually high winds of Hurricane Dora passing south of the islands helped fuel and spread the fire at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Vixay and his wife Christine, along with their five children were in their vehicle trying to evacuate the area but found themselves at standstill traffic on Front Street. Christine recounts the moment when they had to make the decision, “continue to stay in the car as the fire was now closing in on both sides, or run into the ocean”. Rather than be engulfed in flames, Vixay and Christine took their five children and headed into the relentless, crashing waves of the ocean. Aided by a local, they were given a board to help with floatation. Vixay and Christine recalls the heat from the fire, cars and homes ablaze, combustions occurring often, embers and ash littered the dark and ominous sky. Thick, heavy smoke penetrated their lungs. Vixay recalls that they entered the ocean at about 530 PM and remained so for many hours. Their children, aged 13, 11, 7, and a pair of twins, age 4, experienced what many children should not have to. The two older children, instructed to hold on to the board, “no matter what”. A kind gentleman held onto the young boy, while Vixay and Christine each held on to one of the little girls.

(photo credit to ChefJoshuaMarten)

Christine recounts there was a time when the waves of the ocean had swept her further out into the sea, beyond her physical capabilities. Christine recalls she was drowning, waves crashing over her, ingesting salty ocean water. She was barely able to just keep her daughter afloat. The kindness of a random stranger, her guardian angel, he pulled them back in, closer to shore. It wasn’t until about 930 PM that they were rescued by Maui Firefighters, completely fatigued, exhausted, cold.

(Photo credit to NBCBayArea)

Christine Phonxaylinkham is my sister and Vixay Phonxaylinkham is my brother in law. I cannot fathom how they must feel, or that of their children. To endure such trauma, on the brink of being burnt to death in one direction or the possibility of drowning in the other. I am creating this gofundme, with all proceeds to go to Vixay and Christine and their family, in anticipation of any therapy and/or health expenses they may need in the unforeseeable future, as well as replace any items they may have left behind.

Please keep them in your prayers as well as all of Hawaii.

Thank you and be well.