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Trainer [34]
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Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 12, 2023, 1:17 PM
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I am a Clemson grad (Go Tigers!) who lives on Oahu, close to Maui. My wife and I have been to Lahaina many times. It was a compact, historical town bustling with life and one of our favorite places to visit. Front Street was full of wonderful restaurants, art shops, neat stores, and a nearby harbor where whale watches, fishing trips and other sea excursions launched. The shores off Lahaina are a Whale Sanctuary, and I compared the nice restaurants to Charleston - great chefs and an incredible variety of cuisine. I loved sitting at Honu Oceanside and watching the sunset behind the sailboats on every trip. An evening at Warren and Annabelle's Magic was a must to experience really cool magic shows and gut busting laughter. Warren Gibson is a Clemson Grad, and I personally found out you get extra treatment and may be be part of the show if you show up in a Clemson Shirt. We have priceless memories of our visits with family and friends.
All I described above is GONE. IT IS TERRIBLE. LAHAINA NO LONGER EXISTS. There are many people who don't know how their family and friends are. I was trying to reach a close friend since Wednesday who finally responded after a couple of days and told me he moved out of Lahaina and to the upcountry this past February, but he knows a couple of people who lost homes. A coworker informed me yesterday he lost an aunt and uncle that were part of his extended family. The death toll is now at 80 and will climb. Some remains will never be found. Lahaina was not a community of the rich as many people associate with Maui, but a community of hard working people who kept the restaurants, businesses and nearby resorts staffed. People who had a normal life a few days ago now just have the clothes they were wearing at time of escape, while the less fortunate were burned to death or remain severely injured. I read yesterday where rescuers were piling up the bodies of animals that were trapped and died.
Realize your blessings and pray for those with family that perished and the new houseless in Maui. They have a home called Lahaina, but it no longer exists. Only the scorched earth and burned out structures remain. That is reality! The state of Hawaii is a close knit community, and this hits us all. Enjoy your day, your families, your friends, your pets and your next meal! God Bless! Please see the websites below:
https://mauifoodbank.org/
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/responding-to-hawaiis-wildfires/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGGM-B23V&utm_content=hawaii-fires-sitelink&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw29ymBhAKEiwAHJbJ8kp9XDG6sAhR7LZmjdraYaZ23D35AjBk-qDvC6_cOFWPfhMa3TVaXhoCxgEQAvD_BwE
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Legend [18083]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 12, 2023, 1:24 PM
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Always a sad story when wildfire runs rampant. Could say the same thing about several California towns. GONE
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All-TigerNet [14019]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 12, 2023, 1:48 PM
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Great message, thank you. I was married in Maui 30 years ago and the pastor who married us was the pastor of Lahaina United Methodist Church which was also right on the water on Front St. I was sad to learn yesterday, and saw the pictures online, that it is no longer there.
May God Bless Lahaina and the community and may He help those who will work very hard to restore it.
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All-TigerNet [14019]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 13, 2023, 10:53 AM
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Just sent a donation. Thanks again for encouraging this.
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Trainer [34]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 13, 2023, 12:35 PM
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Mahalo for the donation. The people of Lahaina are in great need. We oftentimes feel isolated in Hawaii, which we are, and it is nice to see others' support (payers, other). Lahaina had over 13,000 residents, most living in the burned area which had small houses right next to each other. As of yesterday, they have only searched outside of remaining structures.
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All-In [27517]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 12, 2023, 2:02 PM
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This is such a sad situation. Praying for everyone affected. God bless.
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Hall of Famer [22942]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 13, 2023, 12:38 PM
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Thank you for posting. Praying for all those touched by this tragedy.
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Standout [302]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 13, 2023, 9:43 PM
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Thanks for posting a reminder to count our blessings. This is now the deadliest fire in the last 100 years in our country. The Samaritan’s Purse planes fly out of Greensboro, NC. They are usually one of the first outside groups on the ground at any disaster. I have seen Warren’s magic show and knew he is a proud Clemson Tiger. Praying for the residents of Lahaina.
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Trainer [34]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
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Aug 13, 2023, 9:59 PM
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Read what Warren Gibson (Clemson Grad) wrote and see the photo posted on his website below. I read where it will take $5.8 Billion to rebuild Lahaina. You can build new buildings, but you cannot rebuild history, people or pets.
https://warrenandannabelles.com/
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Orange Blooded [2633]
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Thanks for posting, just donated! Prayers for all the
Aug 14, 2023, 9:05 AM
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people affected, that's really sad!
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Orange Blooded [3584]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
Aug 14, 2023, 9:23 AM
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Thanks for posting. My family and I were in Maui last summer and spent a lot of time in Lahaina. Horrible what has happened.
I donated to a relief fund last week (with matching company finds) and will save this link as well for when I can free up more funds.
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Orange Blooded [2356]
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Re: Lahaina Fires - A CU Grad and Hawaii Resident Perspective
Aug 14, 2023, 9:28 AM
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Very sad. Visited Maui about 15 years ago and remember going to Lahaina and it was a cool town. Prayers sent and made a donation.
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