The Great Lahaina Fire of 2023

[Blue 808]

Photos by Richard Olsten

[Spazito]

1. The damage is horrific...

and lives lost. I am so sorry and very sad for you and all those affected.

[Deuxcents]

2. I cannot imagine the destruction..

What caused the fire? I’ve been to Maui twice and these photos are just awful

[Blue 808]

3. High winds...

We have a Cat4 Hurricane Dora about 400 miles south of us.. Dora missed us but her winds blew through the islands at 40-60mph.. apparently a brush fire broke out and was 100% contained.. but then the wind blew up.. embers everywhere.. no one was prepared for what happened..

[Deuxcents]

4. Ty..I hope you are safe and all well your way

[crickets]

5. So awful and horrifying.

My heart goes out to everyone on Maui, and to all of Hawaii. 😢

[senseandsensibility]

6. Really brings it home

When I visited Maui decades ago the landscape reminded me so much of where I was from (Central California), and now it looks like the residents there are going to experience what we've been experiencing. I know what it's like. It's terrifying. Stay safe.

[leftieNanner]

7. Terrible.

Do you know if the Pioneer Inn is still intact?

I have some special memories about that place.

Must call my friend who lives up country on Maui.

Thanks for the photos. They are frightening.

[Blue 808]

18. According to reports..

..The Pioneer Inn is gone and the iconic 150 year old Banyan tree.. is badly burned.. see pic number 5.

[BigmanPigman]

8. I always find it interesting

that during these wild fires everything is burned to the ground but a few individual structures are untouched by the fires that surround them.

[waterwatcher123]

9. Wow - even the harbor looks completely torched.

Wish everyone in Maui the best with this terrible situation (we have relatives on the island up-country)!

[ybbor]

10. Did the banyan tree burn?

I’m looking for it and the Pioneer Inn for perspective, but don’t see anything that I recognize. I lived on the Hana side in ‘92 and have only been back once since. My buddy was a first mate on a private boat that was moored off Kaanapali, so did spend a lot of time in Lahaina. Stayed at the Pioneer Inn when I returned for a week in ‘02.

Devastating images! Mind blowing!

[mahina]

11. It looks like the banyan tree may have made it,

Though all around it burned. As of this morning. Its still standing, but looks like it took a big blow, amazing.

[cilla4progress]

13. No...

miraculous if true! I am seeing different stories on this!

[Blue 808]

19. Mahina.. you're correct..

..see pic number 5.. the old courthouse survived but the roof is gone.. right behind the courthouse is the banyan tree.. and to the left of the banyan tree was Pioneer Inn..

[mahina]

20. Hopeful!

Good luck Blue

[SeattleVet]

21. NBC is reporting that much of the banyan is destroyed, but don't mention how much may survive.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/wildfire-decimates-lahaina-capital-hawaiian-kingdom-rcna99098


"A large banyan tree in Old Lahaina marked the place where King Kamehameha’s first palace stood. Much of that tree has now been burned in the fires, according to the town’s website."




That was a beautiful area, with a very long and rich history. Looking through these photos (and others) I'm heartbroken at the loss of some of the places we loved when we visited Lahaina not too long before COVID.

[Nictuku]

23. I hope it survives!

Somehow.

[cilla4progress]

12. sickening

[Hekate]

14. Devastating to see this

[mountain grammy]

15. Horrific scenes. So sad 😞

[peacebuzzard]

16. shocking and unbelievable

my heart goes out to you and the island. thanks for posting

[diane in sf]

17. Very tragic. Who knew you'd need fire proof buildings in Hawaii.

[Retrograde]

24. Why should Hawaii be any different

than other places where humans live?

[Nictuku]

22. I hope The Banyan Tree Survives

I used to play on that tree as a kid.

Lahaina is gone forever. They may rebuild the town, but its soul was lost last night. It will never ever be the same. So much history!

Lahaina was the center of Hawaii, it was the Capital at one point (due to whaling, unfortunately). It was a whaling town.

My heart is broken. It is hard not to tear up just by typing this.

Pele have mercy.

[Fla Dem]

25. Blue 808 this was your last post on Wednesday.

We are concerned that you are alright.

https://democraticunderground.com/100218178381#post66

Did your home escape the fire? Are you and family OK?
Just check in when you can,
These pictures are incredible and so sadly overwhelming.

[Blue 808]

26. Thank you for your concern...

We are okay.. we live on the eastern slope of the West Maui mountains.. Lahaina is on the west side.. the high winds blowing down the western slope at a minimum 50 mph pushed the brush fire into what Gov. Green described as a 'fire hurricane'..

Haven't been on here much, we've been fully involved in the support operations.. mainly collecting, sorting and delivering the massive amount of donations that are coming in.. everyone is all in on the effort.. the initial shock has passed.. only the deep sadness, heartbreak and determination to help our ohana remain..

Again.. thank you for your concern.. it is greatly appreciated..

[Fla Dem]

27. So glad to hear from you.

We’ think we’ve accounted for all our Hawaiian DUer’s that we can identify.

Wonderful you and your family escaped the horrific fire and are now doing what you can to relieve some of the suffering of fellow Hawaiians.

Know we are here for support and when you have a chance update us on your relief efforts.