I visited Lahaina in Maui in May on the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas cruise from Hawaii to Vancouver.  This was to be a different post to tell you how to navigate Lahaina – arrive in port, sail the boats, book the tours of the island, shop the stores and eat happily on Front Street. Sadly, the wildfires have devastated the town of Lahaina and affected approximately 14,000 residents. Their homes are destroyed and those whose livelihood depended on tourism have seen their income crushed. If you want to help Lahaina, see the local organizations below and visit their sites to donate.

Visiting Lahaina on Maui

If you look at a map of Maui from above you can see the head and torso of the island – the head and the heart of the island.  Lahaina was located on the west of the island near the head.  When the cruise ship ports in Lahaina, they use tenders to reach land/town.  Upon arrival, you were greeted by shops across the road, boat tours along the waterfront and the iconic 150+ year old Banyan tree before heading to Front Street, the main street in town. As the cruise ship passengers descended upon the waterfront filling in all the blank spaces, I remember the tour guides looking for their guests, the taxis and tour buses filling up quickly and being whisked away to explore the island and others walking on their own to explore the town, visit the ABC store and find their Dole whip dessert.

As we drove away from Lahaina to visit “The Highlights of Maui”, our tour guide recalled stories of her time at the local one-story school along Front Street and looked forward when the child she was expecting could attend.  Her family was Hawaiian with a storied history of growing up in Hawaii and Lahaina. Our other tour guide spoke of how he escaped the mainland decades ago to live his island dream in Maui.  Over two days in Lahaina, many people, tourists and residents, were wandering about town just enjoying the sunny days in paradise. I think about the kindness of the workers at the gelato store on the main street patiently answering questions and providing free tastes of different flavors for the children to decide what they wanted.  I remember the restaurants filled with music and offering fresh seafood with fantastic views.  I wandered the art gallery selling Hawaiian and Maui memories via stunning photos and unique paintings.  Everyone was playing their part in vacation experiences and memories, even that guy with all the colorful birds that he placed on you to take your photo.

Today that paradise, that community is shattered.  The horrors of the fast-spreading fires are unimaginable.  The folks who found that the only option was to jump into the sea. Just surreal. I watched the videos like so many stunned by the images of raging fires and then the aftermath destruction knowing I walked along Front Street just a few months ago and now it was gone.

Travel is a privilege and I’m reminded more each day how easy it is for weather, nature and man to turn beloved places and structures into memories of what was. We try to capture a photo, a video, a smell or taste in our memories of travel. Lahaina town in Maui was more than a beautiful place to visit, the sense of history and community was evident everywhere and I hope that that community is able to process the grief, sadness, loss before they begin to reimagine and rebuild their future over the upcoming years. The head of Maui may be injured but the heart of Maui remains and that brings me hope for Lahaina’s future.

How you can help Lahaina Recovery in Maui

 

Thoughts and prayers don’t rebuild homes, businesses or replace lost income. Multiple organizations and agencies (a few are listed below) are accepting donations. National organizations like World Central Kitchen, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and United Way are also involved in Lahaina efforts.

 

Note: If you have an upcoming trip to Maui, look to visit another of the Hawaiian Islands.  If your cruise is planned to stop in Maui, check with the cruise line to see how the itinerary will be modified this year and next year.

Maui Mutual Aid Fund

A local effort, the Maui Mutual Aid Fund is run by volunteers looking to get funds and support to vulnerable residents, such as kūpuna (elderly), those with physical disabilities, renters and individuals without insurance. Visit their website to support them and see other organizations you can help with donations and volunteer time  https://www.mauinuistrong.info/support

Maui Strong Fund

Created by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation to provide resources for disaster preparedness, response and recovery, the Maui Strong Fund is currently being used to help aid communities affected by the Maui Wildfires. Visit their website, hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Maui Humane Society

Pets were displaced from the fires and need assistance. The Maui Humane Society is asking for pet supplies, like wet and dry food, litter, pop-up kennels and monetary donations, visit their website, mauihumanesociety.org

Maui Food Bank

The Maui Food Bank is accepting donations at mauifoodbank.org/donate

My Memory of Lahaina

This video was taken along Front Street by the sea wall.  I captured the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas, local sailboats and a snippet of the shops in Lahaina. This is my memory of what was and what I hope can be again.