In the burned-out town of Lahaina on the island of Maui, there’s still no power. No water. No twinkling lights or sweet baby Jesus replicas displayed in cute creches. Outside of Lahaina, in areas not touched by fire, typical Christmas decorations and signs declaring “Mele Kalikimaka” adorn homes and businesses.
The people who lived in Lahaina, about 9,000 or so, have been dispersed into crowded hotels and other sparsely available housing in surrounding areas. Only in recent weeks have residents, wearing hazmat suits, been allowed to visit the ashy remains of what used to be their homes. But, for many of them, their hearts are filled with an amazing sense of gratitude.
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Erik Naylor, newly installed pastor of Lahaina Baptist Church, had moved his family to Maui from Arizona only a few months prior the devastating fire. He lost his home and had to flee with his wife and five children. He explained, “When we left, it was like driving through a hurricane. There was a lot of wind. We had to dodge downed trees and telephone poles.” But, he noted, just like most residents, they thought they’d return to their home the next day. “When we got out,” he says, “we had no cell phone reception or power. We weren’t aware of the extent of what was happening until the next day.”
But all was not lost.
Restoring a ‘small sense of normalcy’
While it’s tempting to say they lost everything, Naylor countered, “We lost a lot of possessions, but we have the most important things. Each other and our faith.” He and his family are very grateful. This attitude of gratitude seems to be evident in other fire survivors as well.
Naylor reports that people are very grateful that they survived the fire and for all of the help they’ve been receiving. He shared that businesses and individuals from around the island, in the spirit of the season, are contributing bicycles and other items to those who have been displaced.
Where they are able, those in temporary housing are putting up lights and Christmas trees. “It’s good for the kids,” Naylor said. “It helps restore a small sense of normalcy.”
Still, challenges exist.
Most people are living in hotels where they do not have access to stoves and ovens, and so they can’t prepare typical holiday meals. The road to recovery is a long one. While their church was miraculously not touched by the fire, Naylor noted they likely will not be able to use the building for up to a year.
August devastation
The fires started on Aug. 8 and in roughly 12 hours, the town of Lahaina on Maui was, essentially, gone. The earth was scorched, nearly 3,000 buildings — mostly homes — were destroyed, at least 100 deaths, many people were injured during the rushed evacuation, and people still remain missing.
Since then, John and Gay Williams, co-directors of Hawaii Baptist Disaster Relief, have been tirelessly coordinating relief efforts for Pacific Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, overseeing the work of 250 volunteers from 17 states. In addition to working with Southern Baptists, they also worked alongside other agencies. Those efforts are only now beginning to wind down.
Phase two beginning after Christmas
During the past months, FEMA divided Maui County into 80 EPA zones, opening 4 to 6 each week. This entailed allowing homeowners, wearing hazmat gear, to return to the site of their homes. All of the zones will have been opened by Christmas and phase two of the recovery efforts will begin soon thereafter.
It was during these visits that the Baptist volunteers were key, the Williams noted.
Essentially the volunteers were providing ministry support to the homeowners. As they surveyed the ashes of what was once their home, the volunteers stood with them and prayed with them.
“We were there to grieve with them as the magnitude of their loss sank in,” Gay said. “Typically,” she noted, “they would pull up to their property and were hit with the realization that everything was gone.”
Some people simply looked, saw there was nothing, and left. But many others decided to search the ashes and rubble for keepsakes.
“It was amazing how often they would be looking for a loved one’s ring or some other keepsake, and they would find them! Each time it seemed a miracle,” she said.
When items were found, “their attitudes shifted. They were encouraged. And that was our goal, to help instill hope so their healing could begin,” she said.
Quietly sharing the gospel
At the conclusion of each visit, the team would pray for the people and give them a Bible.
The Williams reported that their teams conducted more than 650 site visits, had more than 5,700 contacts with people, and put in 41,000 man hours.
“Through it all,” Gay said, “the Lord has provided for everything we’ve needed for our volunteers. We are very grateful to all the Baptist churches who contributed toward our efforts. We feel very blessed.”
