The intense fire left its mark - incinerated everything in its path.
Lahaina fire was one of a kind.
I fondly remember Lahaina and Hana when I visited Maui some years ago.
Maui is my favorite island, and I spend hours at the beaches - on that one-of-a-kind - vacation.
Having traveled all over the world - there are some iconic locations - one of them is Maui.
You feel the presence of the ancestors - and the large, widespread banian tree - brought from India - and planted in an auspicious site is one that I envision - it stands there undeterred.
The banian tree - considered sacred - gives hope - even as it withstood the inferno - and though the leaves are parched - the banian tree - spread widely all around - beckons all to unite and survive.
The banian sapling was brought from India - considered a Sacred tree - admired by millions of tourists and locals - all these years in Lahaina - it survived and will give hope to those that will not give up.
The museum had a great collection of artifacts, and I wondered if the building could withstand fire or earthquake - the idea left me even as I pondered about the situation - at that time. Today it is no more - artifacts thousands of years old - incinerated.
Captain Cook and those that hoodwinked the Hawaiian people - had no clue how precious the Hawaiian Islands were - once pristine, today full of tourists and abject - materialism.
The infrastructure, the roads one way in and another way out.
Reminiscent of the fire that took place in Paradise, California.
Paradoxically the emergency system did not kick in.
The head of the Emergency Services for Maui has resigned. He was inept, had NO qualifications, and was responsible for many's utter mess and deaths.
Such irresponsibility must not be tolerated - we have the same situation in San Francisco.
We in San Francisco do not have the ability or capacity to handle any significant emergency - we do not have a helicopter.
We do not have heavy-duty equipment to move rocks, heavy pieces of metal, or construction material in place.
We need a qualified Commander - trained and certified by an agency like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
We are curious to know if the high winds - took down power poles - in Lahaina, Maui - which resulted in many fires.
Created by the high winds - simultaneously - raging fires - hot spots fueling the intense fire - incinerating almost everything - in their path.
High-powered electrical lines have their power turned off as a standard practice all over the United States - when winds exceed high speed - in this case, over 80 miles per hour. The local Power Company made a glaring mistake - that will be sued, and rightly so.
The emergency alarms were not triggered - another sign - that the power grid was totally disabled - the questions are many - the answers few - those that mourn the dead - the trials and tribulations - are many - due diligence and standards count - all this and more - will be investigated. That is the least that can be done - talk is cheap.
The hydrants were dry - putting the firefighters in harm's way - preventing them from doing their jobs.
Hawian Electric Industries - has a lot to answer - one of them is deferred maintenance.
The second issue that stands out - compromising standards.
Hawian Electric Industries will lose hands down if any class action is initiated.
Also, some key officials needed to be included in action - the judicial system will now have to adjudicate - hold the feet of those who failed to serve the people - to the fire.
Greed knows no bounds - we have too many who could have lived - that did not happen - they perished in the raging fire.
FEMA would do well if they established their main emergency stations - closer to the victims - and not miles away - further impending aid to those in dire - straits.
Just 4% of the entire area - has been covered - with cadaver dogs - and experts - a mobile van is now on location in Lahaina - able to take DNA samples and provide quicker results - one in two hours.
The Ahola spirit is working, and volunteers took it upon themselves - to help - gather whatever is necessary to aid those in dire straits.
Blankets, pillows, drinking water, diapers, and other needed clothing for infants and children - generators - the lack of power and clean drinking water - have created a problem - the volunteers - are working round the clock.
Even petrol has been brought to those that need it. Over two thousand five hundred homes burnt down.
There are parts of Maui not touched by the fire - that those who have cars can travel - to stay with friends and relatives.
Schools, churches, and the Red Cross lost all their buildings.
Emergency crews from all over the United States - California is sending its best - and here in Bay Area, a large population from Hawaii is working hard to collect money and bring immediate aid to those suffering.
At times like this, those trained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), doctors, nurses, those specialized in logistics, transportation, communication, safety issues, Psychologists, Psychiatrists - others - all gather to uplift one another and the people of Maui that will get all the help they need.
Let this be a lesson - how we must ready ourselves - and not take what the politicians say - empty words for granted.
In this case, the volunteers - immediately took action - one singular point - that took lives and destroyed thousands of homes - has shed light where there was abject darkness.
We want to know who was in charge that led to this calamity?
We want to know why the Federal government, for all the talk - there has been no walk?
We want to know if there is a viable and sustainable plan to address stress and mental illness and who really is spreading joy - the superior, joyous, and soothing - at this very moment - Aloha!
The volunteers are at their best.
The destruction is everywhere - out of the ashes, the Phoenix will arise.
As I heard the news, for some reason, I was interested in Hana too.
Hana is famous for its beaches - where you find white, red, and black sand.
Also, for the rich and famous - little happened to Hana - it too has narrow roads - and forest - and these raging winds could have played havoc.
At times like this, we think about large tents and port-to-potties - sheds one can put together to address minor emergencies.
Generators to provide electricity, the latest technology - where water can be purified through filtration and improving our communication system.
Heavy equipment standing ready, always preparing nurses and other first aid personnel, and kitchens to provide food to those hungry.
Exceptional amenities for our infants, our Elders, and those with compromised health.
Lahaina, Maui should open our eyes - the work will take years to rebuild.
Hopefully, the Federal Infrastructure Bill will rescue Lahaina, Maui - roads well planned - an Emergency System that works - better fire equipment - and air support putting out the fires.
It is good to remember what goes on in our minds to benefit those in dire straits as soon as possible.
Over a thousand constituents from Lahaina, Maui, have yet to be found. Among them are hundreds of children.
The only method to find some closure is to detect - using the latest DNA technology - that is now available in Lahaina, Maui.
This banian tree - vast and wide - still stands - a sapling brought from India - and planted at an auspicious location.
PELE AND THE WIND HAVE SENT US A MESSAGE
Pele the godess of fire
has sent us all a dire message
strong winds that wiped out frail structures
thousand left homeless - there is hope
deft sirens - caught unaware - in dire straits
utter pandemonium - when will we see in the light?
The women and men - volunteers
stepped in and brought in resources
good actions count - the world witnessed
the Aloha spirit is strong and alive
kindness, love, empathy - win
Mahalo - to those whose hearts
are in the right place - your actions count
I remember well glaring at the ocean
sitting on the beach in Lahaina, Maui
Pondering the injustice done to the ancestors
tourism brings some - money - there is more to it
now is the time to help the locals
talk is cheap - good actions count
President Joe Biden was quick to make
some statements - we need teeth to put the plans together
Pele has a message for us all
Such events do not happen in a vacuum
We must not succumb to materialism
depletion of the Ozone
the ways of the ancestors beckon us all
Here on the mainland - the Bay Area
we are doing our best to gather resources
as the days go by - you will witness the help
come to you all in Lahaina, Maui - with much love
stay united and strong - you are blessed -
this dark cloud will pass - the sun will shine
You all are in our thoughts and prayers
Mahalo to the thousands who help - Aloha!
Francisco Da Costa
San Francisco
August 12, 2023
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