Maui; an island paradise.  Pristine white sand beaches, opaque ocean lagoons, towering palm trees all characterize the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago.  One night is all it took.  The people of Maui were subject to blistering heat, enveloping clouds of Ash, and the destruction of their homes and businesses in the span of a week.  Now, Maui is a shell of what it once was. 

On August 8, 2023, a fire sparked, lighting the island of Maui aflame.  Officials believe it may have been due to a loose power line, blown down due to hurricane-level winds, but nothing has been confirmed as of the publishing of this article.  The fire began in central Maui as a brush fire, scorching the earth before being “contained” by firefighters in the area.  Later that day, at 11 am, the fire spread across a gulch into the west coast town of Lahaina.  The fire spread rapidly burning buildings, foliage, and land causing citizens to flee. Some of the residents were forced by the flames onto the beaches surrounding the town and into the ocean to escape the flames.  Over 100 citizens of Maui have died by the fires, and over 1000 have been displaced making this the worst natural disaster in Hawaii’s history. 

Celebrities and politicians alike have risen to advocate for those citizens who’ve been displaced by the fires.  There are many ways to donate to the cause, and to help the people of Maui.  To support the cause, visit: https://www.mauinuistrong.info/support.