Long-time readers of this blog know that our family loves the magical island of Maui.
E and I spent our babymoon in Maui – a wonderful 2009 vacation where I first felt Zoe kick in my belly, and where we hiked and swam knowing it was our last trip as a twosome.
We also took Z to Maui in 2011 and again in 2015.
That is why I am especially devastated to read and see images of the devastating wildfires that destroyed the town of Lahaina and other parts of Maui this week.
As many as 100 people have died and hundreds more have lost their homes as wildfires swept through parts of Maui, caused at least in part by dry weather and high winds. In addition to the human toll, precious cultural landmarks were wiped out.
As mere tourists, I know that we have no claim to Maui or its natural treasures, but our visits there over the years have created a true fondness and affection for the island and its people.
Knowing how beautiful and special this place and its people are, it’s especially painful to know they are being devastated by these fires.
While tourism to the Hawaiian islands is always a matter of controversy, at a time like this, it is especially critical that visitors stay away from Maui to maximize resources for those impacted by the fires and to allow the island to heal.
If you’d like to send help to those impacted by the Maui wildfires, the Hawaii Community Foundation and Aina Momona fundraisers are vetted and confirmed places to make donations.
I feel so helpless and all I can do is think back to our past trips to Maui and the joy these memories have brought our family:
- Hiking with E in the beautiful Maui rainforests
- Collecting plumeria blossoms from the ground and breathing in their sweet scent
- Walking along the beautiful Kaanapali beach path
- Swimming and snorkeling in the ocean
- Going into Lahaina town for lunch and shave ice
- Strolling in the shade of the beautiful 150-year-old Banyan tree that has now been scorched by fire
- Going with my dad to downtown Lahaina for his first tattoo at the age of 70!
Although it’s unlikely that our little family will travel to Maui again, I will always have such sweet memories of our time there over the years. In fact, Maui is with me forever in my tattooed arm sleeve. Although my sleeve has come to represent Kauai, Costa Rica and other beautiful tropical places, Maui was its true inspiration.
In fact, the reference art we used to inspire my Fawn Baker sleeve is from the Christian Reese Lassen book I bought from the Lassen Galerie on Front Street in Lahaina in 1995.
My heart goes out to everyone in Maui and Hawaii. Our wishes for the residents and their islands are for healing, restoration and recovery.
