Lahaina Fire & Aftermath

On August 8th, a catastrophic fire spread through Lahaina and killed over 110 people. But the threat of the wildfire isn’t over yet- as toxic contaminants from the wildfire smoke still remain in the air. According to the CDC, wildfire ash can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, and other parts of the body. Respiratory issues may only increase due to the residue left behind by the wildfires, which can leave people in danger for years to come. 

Additionally, people can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the wildfires, leading to negative consequences for their mental health. Stories of people jumping into the ocean to escape the fires were not uncommon, and these experiences can stick to people even after the event is over. 

Lahaina resident Kekoa Lansford, age 37, helped lead residents to a safe area while the fires were still burning. He drove back into the burning town to rescue more people at least 5 times before the fire became too extreme. “It’s hard to even talk about what I saw,” he says. “People were dying in the streets. People were burning because they were trapped in cars.” 

For nearly 3 days after the fire began, residents were mostly left to fend for themselves. A Maui-based surfer Kai Lenny went on CBS Mornings to express his anger. “Everyone was waiting for the government to show up,” Lenny said, stating how local communities had taken recovery efforts into their own hands. 

The fire in Lahaina not only damaged the ecosystem and homes of the people living in Hawaii, but it brings up the additional question of how the road to recovery will be handled. Tourism, which is relied upon heavily by the Maui economy, may suffer due to the fires in Lahaina. Some hotels have even temporarily stopped accepting bookings so that they can house employees and first responders. 

If you are interested in helping those in Lahaina recover, you can check out the Maui Mutual Aid Resource Directory for more information.