Yesterday my Entire World Burned Down.
The wind blew like a banshee
Screaming with the might of a thousand grieving mothers
The world white and rusty
The sea a whirl of miniature hurricanes,
threatening to finally overthrow the boats they rage against
And the red dirt of Lahaina town took to the air
Red transfigured to violent purple
and then raging black
Choking the land with heat and anger
it’s fury rose
a river of fire
through our home.
Screaming people. Burning people. Grief to the highest degree.
It is hard to convey a sense of loss this grand. It’s like believing in God, praying everyday, only to have Him strike you, your people, and everything you love down with a lightning bolt. You have lost not only your people and your home, but your faith. Your sense of security.
I’d love to say that Lahaina was never about the buildings and the boats, but it was. It was the people, the things we built, the spaces we shared. We can rebuild. And it won’t be the same. But maybe it can be better.
So I implore the builders:
Let the people be at the forefront of thoughts. Let the town speak of warmth and joy. Make it walkable. Make it safe. Let their be room for those who have lived here for generations. Let it not be a money making land grab, like the Hawaiian lands have been so many times before. Do it right. Do it with love and reverence for the people.
And for the harbor — a graveyard now — let the future boats that fill it remember those who came before them, for whom they lie upon. Those boats who carried peoples hearts. Who have shown off Maui in all her glory for generations. Reefdancer, who was inherited by Hidei from her father. Scotch Mist II, who just came back from a successful 1.5 month dry dock. Roxy, the venerable tug who dredges the channel when the state doesn’t. Atlantis, whose crew you would find working on her until 2am, making sure shes safe for the next days charters. Die Hard, Like Try, and dozens more fishing boats. The rafts that take people to see the whales. The sailboats — Gung Ho, High Tension, Calliope, Maueva among many others… gone. All these personalities — we loved them so much.
We have lost so much.
The people of Maui are utterly sad.
But we will be here. Making these cherished spaces home once again.
A Hui Hou Lahaina town.
Until we meet again.
xo
Lil
